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Historic Narrow Boat Club
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Welcome to the HNBC

HNBC is passionate about navigational and waterway heritage interests and we welcome all who support our aims, whether boat owners or not.  By supporting the Club, you are helping to ensure that the UK’s canals retain their unique heritage value.

We hope you enjoy exploring this website.

Aber at Norbury, July 2024 (pic R Prettyman)

Find historic boats

By Company: BCN, Fellows, Morton & Clayton, Grand Union Canal Carrying Co, Cowburn & Cowpar, Barlows, LMS, Bantock, Willow Wren Canal Carrying Co
By type: Motor, Butty, Icebreaker, Bantock, Joey, Tug
By Class: Admiral, River, Royalty, Small Northwich, Middle Northwich, Big Northwich, Small Woolwich, Big Woolwich, Station Boat, Fish
By Builder: Bantock, Braithwaite & Kirk, FMC Uxbridge, Harland & Wolff, Harris Bros, Nursers, Walkers of Rickmansworth, Yarwoods

Six good reasons to join us

  • Access to our Archive of boat histories
  • Regular updates on waterway pinchpoints affecting historic boats
  • Advice on using and preserving traditional boating skills
  • Campaigning on issues affecting historic boats
  • Socials and gatherings for members and their boats
  • Money saving discounts on boating services

How to join

All the details are here

Our Newsletter

Newsletter 2025/2 cover

Our quarterly  Newsletter is a good read! 

Why not join the club and get your copy hot off the press every three months?

Read 'taster' Newsletter articles here.

Navigation issues

It is so important to tell CRT, and us, if you get stuck on the waterways.

CRT's general contact phone number is 03030 40 40 40, their emergencies number is 0800 479 9947, or you can use their Contact Form. 

CRT Region by Region - a list of email contacts, and a map of 2019 Regions, is here.

Please let us know too so that we can chase it up. 

Here is our pinchpoints form, or you can email navigation@hnbc.org.uk

DON'T JUST SORT IT, REPORT IT

Thank you!

Upcoming Events

Fri 18 July
Gnosall CFest

Gnosall on the Shropshire Union Canal

Links to: Booking Form and Terms & Conditions

Fri 18 July
Thames Traditional Boat Festival

Held at Henley-on-Thames, check their website here for further information.

Sat 19 July
Northwich River Festival


Takes place on the River Weaver. 


Details on Festival website

Sat 19 July
Cosgrove Canal Festival and Craft Fair

Further details on the Buckingham Canal Society webpage here

Fri 25 July
HNBC gathering Audlem

This is an event for boats belonging to HNBC members 

Book in by emailing secretary@hnbc.org.uk

The Audlem Historic Transport Day is on the Sunday of the same weekend

Sat 26 July
Linslade Canal Festival

Tiddenfoot Waterside Park, Linslade

More details on website

Sat 16 August
Brownhills Canal Festival

Please check on the Lichfield & Hatherton Canal Restoration Trust (LHCRT) website for festival details and booking form. 

16-17 August 2025 at Silver Street on the Wyrley & Essington Canal

Sat 23 August
IWA Rally for the Bridgewater, Lymm

"This August Bank Holiday,  join IWA and the wider boating community for a weekend gathering at Agden Bridge, united in support of restoring full navigation to the Bridgewater Canal. 

Following the recent breach earlier this year, this waterway which is part of a vital north–south route, faces a critical moment. While not caused by poor maintenance, the incident is a reminder of the growing threat that extreme weather poses to our waterways.

Sat 30 August
Whitchurch Canal Festival

To be held on the Whitchurch Arm, Llangollen Canal

Contact details: Doug on canalfestival@whitchurchwaterway.uk

Website: https://whitchurchwaterway.uk/canal-festival/

Sat 30 August
Rally at The Bratch

Further details on Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal Society's website

Sat 6 September
Shardlow Historic Transport Gathering

Please contact Andy Hoyle for further information and to book a boat space 

Sat 6 September
Montgomery Canal Triathlon

Details and information about the routes is on their website

Wed 10 September
HNBC Committee (Zoom)
Fri 12 September
Black Country Boating Festival

Bumblehole, Dudley No 2 Canal, Netherton.

Please visit their Website for further details.

 

Sat 20 September
HNBC gathering at BCLM

This is an event for HNBC members whose boats will be moored as follows:

Sat 20 September
Huddlesford Heritage Gathering

Organised by the Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust (LHCRT) and held at Huddlesford Junction on the Coventry Canal.

Details for 2025 are here

(Held every two years in September.)

Sun 21 September
Preston Brook Tunnel 250th anniversary


Join Heatherfield Heritage down at the wharf to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the opening of Preston Brook tunnel as part of Heritage Open Days.


There'll be music and food, games and stalls, demonstrations and displays, all celebrating the Bridgewater and its history!


Contact: heatherfieldheritage@gmail.com

Sat 4 October
Banbury Canal Festival

Please check Banbury Town Council website for further details

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