Inland waterways featured at London Boat Show

MAKING a welcome return to the London Boat Show for the first time in many years, inland boating companies from across the UK formed a focal point around a new inland waterways attraction.

This focal point was in the form of a replica lock together with the two story Lock & Waterside Pub together with a selection of narrowboats. People from the networks of the Thames, Broads and Fens were on hand to provide specialist knowledge and advice for the visitors.

Boating holidays featured

Boating holidays were featured with exhibits from Napton Narrowboats, ABC Leisure Group, Fox Narrowboats, Kris Cruisers, Richardson’s Boating Holidays, Hobbs of Henley and Aqueduct Marina, alongside British Marine Inland Boating. (Photograph by Waterway Images.)

Together they showcased an array of inland craft, as well as idyllic boating hire and holiday opportunities in the UK—from a week navigating the locks on the Avon to a day’s sightseeing on the Thames. On the Saturday of the show it is reported that over 3,000 people paid a visit to the new inland boats on display.

There was no representation from Canal & River Trust, though British Waterways had been present at former shows.