May 2023 issue
On the cover of the May issue... Approaching City Road Lock on the Regent’s Canal.
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Setting the Braidbar
Boat Review
Braidbar’s latest is a 62ft semi-trad with hybrid propulsion and a wealth of unique design features. Mark Langley heads to the Macclesfield Canal to find out more…
Girl Guides Go Boating - part 2
Looking Back
During the 1930s, a Ranger Guides group took annual holidays on a working pair of narrowboats. Alison Cannon follows their adventures from 1937 to the outbreak of war
Trolley Dash on the Canals
Reader's Boat
A tin of cat food ultimately led Pam and Tony Havard to become boat-owners in the 1960s. And they’ve been moored at Braunston ever since. Tony Jones discovers their remarkable story
London's Waterways
Cruising Guide
The crowded Regent’s and tidal Thames offer a fantastic way of exploring the capital – but they’re not without their navigational challenges. James Francis Fox offers advice
Robbie Returns
Interview
Canal Boat Diaries will be back on our TV screens in April with a focus on living aboard in the colder months. Tony Jones finds out more from its creator, Robbie Cumming
Hotel-boating on the Shroppie
Looking back
In June 1960 Max Holgate enjoyed a hotel-boat cruise on the Shropshire Union and took the opportunity to marvel at its engineering features. Roger Butler relives his journey
Boats at BoatLife
Boatlife
BoatLife returned to Birmingham for its second year in February. Rupert Smedley explored the inland craft at the event
The North Birmingham Ring
Explore Birmingham’s Canals
Bored of the Four Counties and Avon rings? Andrew Denny explores one of the least-cruised circular routes on the network
Seed Traffic to Lincoln
Looking Back
Chris M. Jones explores images showing the delivery of seed to Lincoln in 1966
Make Wherry
Explore North Walsham & Dilham Canal
Retired boat-builder Graham Pressman recently completed the build of a highly unusual craft that is to play a key role in the restoration of Norfolk’s only genuine canal. Andy Tidy finds out more…
Winter in the Capital
Liveaboard Life
Just in time to spend the cold months afloat, Jacob Negus-Hill and his partner recently took up life on a second-hand narrowboat in London
There but for the grace of God
Last Word
Tony Jones explains why his long experience of residing afloat makes him especially sympathetic to less-fortunate boaters
