July 2021 issue
On the June 2021 cover … review boat Cakes & Ale No 2 out on the waters of Dunchurch Pools Marina on the central Grand Union, by Mark Langley
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Made to Measure
New Boat Review
MGM’s latest is a 65ft narrowboat built to the owners’ very detailed specification. Mark Langley examines how the criteria of “space saving and innovation” have been met
The Big Issue
London Liveaboards
WW takes a closer look at London’s floating housing crisis
What the Dickens?
Looking Back
Charles Dickens had an unromantic view of British canals; but would American waterways win him over? Sarah Henshaw joins him on an 1842 cruise across Pennsylvania…
WW Guide to the Upper Thames
Between Lechlade and Abingdon the Thames charts a tortuous course through remote water meadows and sleepy hamlets. James Francis Fox is our guide
A Family Adventure on the Broads
Hire-boat Holidays
As soon as lockdown restrictions were eased, Jo Kessel and her family headed for a relaxed weekend holiday on the Norfolk Broads. Except it didn’t prove quite as relaxing as intended
Touring the West Midlands - 50 Years Ago: Part 2
Looking Back
Max & Edna Holgate’s 1971 cruise had already taken in a variety of waterways but it was now on to industrial Birmingham and a roaming route back to base. Roger Butler follows their course
Home from Home
Reader's Boat
In the space of a year Chris Death fitted out his own narrowboat and packed it with clever features. WW inspects his work
A Pandemic Push
Liveaboard Life
The Covid outbreak gave Deena Ingham and husband Steve the impetus to begin new lives as continuous-cruisers aboard a 50ft narrowboat. Six months in, they haven’t looked back
Made in Chelsea
Interview
Writer and impressionist Julian Dutton explains why a houseboat upbringing in Chelsea inspired him to pen a social history of liveaboards
A Bridgewater Dream
Bedford Basin Restoration
Andrew Denny meets a couple who brought an old Bridgewater Canal colliery basin back to life and built their dream home
Last Word
Hirers, Hen Parties and Household Names
Brian Bayston looks back on a varied ten years of volunteer lock-keeping
