We have recently establish more of a home at the Lazy Otter pub in Stretham. We find that this is offering a much better set of options for customers wishing to cruise the lovely rivers we have here. The boat can still be boarded in Cambridge Centre or wherever prefered.

From The Lazy Otter Pub in Stretham you are at the centre of a 3 armed set of rivers: The Cam which goes towards Cambridge, The Old West which goes towards Bedford and the Great Ouse which goes towards Denver and beyond. 

There are numerous combinations of routes according to trip length, starting points and locations. Below are some of the recommended options but we are happy to help plan any options you prefer. There is a map onboard which will will go through before if you like.

Trip length; 2 Days options

Route 2A: Waterbeach, Cambridge

Day 1 (circa 2pm):
-Embark at Waterbeach-Clayhithe, Training lesson through Bottisham lock and back (1.5 hours including induction).
– Cruise into Cambridge centre (2 hours) & moor up for the night by Jesus lock (See things to do)

Day 2:
– Cruise back to Waterbeach (2/2.5 hours) stopping to stay the night there ( Clayhithe) or a bit before ( Goba Fen ditton ) or after (Goba waterbeach) (See things to do)
– Back to Waterbeach for the morning (circa 10am)

Route 2B: Cambridge, Waterbeach/Upware (seasonally dependant)

Day 1 (circa 2pm):
– Embarke in Cambridge- Jesus Green lock, , Training lesson downstream to Chesterton and back or continue on (1.5 hours including induction).
– Cruise to Waterbeach/Upware (2.5/4 hours), through the 2 lock(s) & Waterbeach to Upware, moor up at the ‘5 miles from anywhere pub’. (See things to do)

Day 2:
– Cruise back to Cambridge (3/4 hours), moor up at the The Plough pub- Fen Ditton, Fort St George pub, or back at Jesus Green lock. (See things to do)

Route 2C: Ely, Upware

Day 1 (circa 2pm):
– Embarke in Ely-Pegasus Walk, Training lesson upstream towards Cambridge and back or continue on (1.5 hours including induction).
– Cruise to Upware (3 hours), moor up at the ‘5 miles from anywhere pub’. (See things to do)
Day2:
– Cruise back to Ely (3 hours), moor up at Pegasus Walk, The Centre, or Goba Ely, then back to Pegasus Walk (See things to do)

Route 2D: Stretham, Ely

Day 1 (circa 2pm):
– Embarke in Streatham-5 mins past Lazy Otter pub, Training lesson downstream towards Ely and back or continue on (1.5 hours including induction).
– Cruise to Ely(2.5 hours), moor up at Pegasus Walk, The Centre, or Goba Ely. (See things to do)
Day2:
– Cruise back to Streatham (2.5 hours), moor up Goba Streatham (See things to do)

Embarking at Waterbeach Park opposite the Bridge Pub car park. walk down the path to the river bank .

Maps of each moorings and route……

Busy periods and mooring issues/alternative moorings than stated

Trip length; 3 Days options

Route 3A: Waterbeach, Cambridge, Upware

Day 1 (circa 2pm): Embark at Waterbeach-Clayhithe, Training lesson through Bottisham lock and back (1.5 hours including induction).

Cruise into Cambridge centre (2.5 hours) & moor up for the night by Jesus lock (See things to do)

Day 2:
– Cruise to Upware (4 hours), moor up at the ‘5 miles from anywhere pub’. (See things to do)

Day 3:
– Cruise Back to Waterbeach (1.5 hours), moor up at Clayhithe (See things to do)

Route 3B: Cambridge, Waterbeach, Upware

Day 1 (circa 2pm):
– Embarke in Cambridge- Jesus Green lock, Training lesson downstream to Chesterton and back or continue on (1.5 hours including induction).
– Cruise to Waterbeach (2.5 hours) stopping to stay the night there ( Clayhithe) or a bit before ( Goba Fen ditton ) or after (Goba waterbeach (See things to do)
Day 2:
– Cruise to Upware (1.5 hours), moor up at the ‘5 miles from anywhere pub’. (See things to do)

Day 3:
– Cruise back to Cambridge (2.5 hours), moor up at the The Plough pub- Fen Ditton, Fort St George pub, or back at Jesus Green lock. (See things to do)

Embarking @ waterbeach = Park opposite the Bridge Pub car park. walk down the path to the river bank .

Maps of each moorings and route……

Click here for more information.Busy periods and mooring issues/alternative moorings than stated

For those seeking a quieter pace of life, the tranquil countryside of the Cambridgeshire rivers provides ample opportunity for photography, nature walks and relaxation, with a plentiful supply of towpath pubs and restaurants.

• The River Great Ouse and Tributaries
  A Guide to the Rivers Great Ouse, Cam and tributaries from Denver to Bedford and Cambridge
• https://www.imray.com/Publications/Bookshop/Inland+Waterways+Maps+and+Guides/British+Isles/IB0212-1/

Located a few miles north-east of Cambridge, Waterbeach is a great place to embark. Situated next to The Bridge Pub and in between the two main locks, starting your trip here enables the boat training to include going through the operation of the lock, as well all the other essentials.
It is also a lovely quiet part of the river and only 1.5 hours to Cambridge and 3 to Ely.