Welcome to the HNBC

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Welcome to the HNBC

The Historic Narrow Boat Club was formed in 1966 and is a not-for-profit club dedicated to preserving the working heritage of UK canals, from the boats themselves to details of the waterways on which they travel. We are passionate about working boats, traditional skills, the built heritage, and the practices and courtesies of the working boat people.

We are an active pressure group for 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.

The club's AGM will be held by Zoom on Saturday 13 March 2021 at 2pm

Details on how to request a place are here

Six good reasons to join us

Our quarterly newsletter, full of interesting articles.
Discount offers on boating equipment and services.
Access to the ever increasing wealth of information in our narrow boat register and archive.
Help and advice on historic craft maintenance through our members' forum
Small, sociable rallies.
Twice yearly members’ meetings – the AGM in March and the winter social in November, both with interesting speakers.

How to join

You can join us as an individual, joint or associate member.

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:	Admiralty, River, Royalty, Small Northwich, Middle Northwich, Station boat, Fish
By Builder:	Bantock, Braithwaite & Kirk, FMC Uxbridge, Harland & Wolff, Harris Bros, Nursers, Walkers of Rickmansworth, Yarwoods

Events view all

Sat 6 March

HNBC Committee (Zoom)

The meeting will be held by Zoom video conference.

Sat 13 March

HNBC AGM 2021 (Zoom)

The AGM will be held by Zoom webinar video and telephone conference at 2.00pm on Saturday 13 March 2021.

Please email agm@hnbc.org.uk any time up to 6 March 2021 to reserve your place. Nearer the time of the meeting, you will then be sent, by email, your registration details, the yearly accounts and the agenda.

Fri 2 April

VIRTUAL - Easter 2021 at The Port

We have heard that the usual large Easter gathering at the Port is unlikely to go ahead in 2021 in its usual format, due to COVID-19 restrictions. Although it was hoped that a small gathering might be arranged, it is now looking unlikely due to the "2nd variant" lockdown, leaving little time to organise events for April even if the lockdown is lifted in February.

Please check on the website of the National Waterways Museum for latest updates.

Sat 1 May

CANCELLED IWA Canalway Cavalcade, London

Email dated Thursday 28 January 2021:

IWA Canalway Cavalcade 2021 cancelled

Club shop

Christmas cards for 2020

Here is the Whitby on a crisp winter's day on the Trent & Mersey canal.

Single design, pack of 10 cards with envelopes

£3.00 per pack plus p&p

The greeting inside all cards is:
With Best Wishes for Christmas and the New Year

Buy your supplies through our Shop.

Our Club Shop always has an range of interesting products available through our mail order service. Please browse the various categories using the links below

Blank Cards - Christmas Cards - Club plaques - Maps and books

Navigation issues

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

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

Latest stories view all

Red diesel for boats

The government published its response on 3 March 2021 to its consultation on the use of red diesel. The good news for boaters in mainland UK waters is contained in paragraphs 4.6 and 4.7, different rules apply for Northern Ireland:

4.6 Following consultation, the government has decided to maintain the entitlement to use red diesel beyond April 2022 for all commercial boat operating industries, including but not limited to the fishing and inland water freight industries.

Restricted access for wide beamed boats

Canal & River Trust has confirmed in a notice dated 11 February 2021 that wide beamed boats may only use parts of the north Oxford canal if they are booked to do so.

"The north Oxford Canal between Braunston Junction and Hillmorton Locks is a narrow canal, not suitable for wide-beam craft.

Access to the marinas on the north Oxford is permitted but only at pre-agreed times and must be done in a single journey (i.e. not stopping between the marina and the destination)."

National Historic Ships register

It is really important that owners of historic narrow boats register them with National Historic Ships.

Registration criteria are here.

To register, complete the form on this page.

HNBC on-line AGM - Saturday 13 March 2021

From Kathryn Dodington, club Secretary:

All HNBC members are invited to join our 2021 Annual General Meeting, which will be held using Zoom webinar software.

Recent updates view all

Red diesel for boats

Tugs gathering BCLM

Restricted access for wide beamed boats

Rickmansworth Canal Festival 2022