Moorings on the River Nene

The River Nene is one of England's most distinctive cruising rivers, flowing 161 navigable kilometres from Northampton through Wellingborough, Oundle and Peterborough before crossing the Fens to discharge into the Wash at Wisbech. Managed by the Environment Agency, the Nene is a wide, slow-moving river characterised by its unusual guillotine and pointing-doors locks, which require a special EA windlass to operate. For boat owners, that quirk gives the Nene a personality of its own — and a quieter, less-trafficked atmosphere than the Thames or the southern canals. Long-stay moorings are available at Northampton Marina, Yarwell Mill, Oundle Marina, Peterborough Yacht Club and Wisbech Yacht Harbour, with informal riverside spots throughout the route favoured by liveaboards seeking peace. The river connects at Northampton via the Northampton Arm to the Grand Union Canal (and the wider inland network), and at Stanground Lock in Peterborough to the Middle Level Navigations and on to the Great Ouse — a major piece of the celebrated Fenland cruising routes. Highlights include the cathedral at Peterborough, Oundle's stone-built market town, the Nene Park country reserves and the windswept tidal reaches below Dog-in-a-Doublet Lock. The Nene suits both narrowboats (with EA licensing) and wider beam craft. Reliable rail at Peterborough, Wellingborough and Northampton makes liveaboard practicality strong.