Welcome to the heart of our waterways, where the gentle pace of canal life is best experienced from the deck of a traditional canal boat. These charming vessels, often referred to as narrowboats, are more than just a means of transport; they are a gateway to a unique world of tranquility, history, and picturesque landscapes.
Our Boats
The first trip on the Grantham Canal with invited guests
The Three Shires
So named as the canal flows through the counties of Lincolnshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire…
The Grantham Canal Society is indebted to everyone who made the purchase of The Three Shires possible. In particular, our thanks go to Lincolnshire County Council and the then Chairman of the Grantham Canal Partnership, Tony Wilkinson. The cost of moving, launching and equipping The Three Shires was kindly covered by many donations from supporters, for which the Society is extremely grateful.
She arrived on schedule on Wednesday 28th April 2010 and was gently lowered into the Grantham Canal for the first time.
Three Shires under construction at Lower Heyford
The Three Shires had to be moved along the Oxford Canal
Craning out, subsequent transport by road and launching again by crane at Denton was carefully planned.
Gently being lowered into the Grantham Canal for the first time.
Wednesday 28th April 2010
MV Centauri
On Friday 29th January 2010, Centauri was launched at Denton and was moved up to Woolsthorpe under her own power. She will be used to maintain the length from Woolsthorpe to the A1.
This 1934 vintage narrowboat was restored for us at HMP Whatton, and has proved to be a useful addition to our fleet.
Osberton & Otter
Weed clearing boats
Weed growth is a feature of many canals, including the Grantham, and our volunteers work to manage it using our current weed boat “Otter”. Otter arrived with GCS in 2020 and works on the canal between Stenwith and the A1 near Grantham. The boat operates with a hydraulic arm that is able to be lowered into the water to scoop up weed and then deposit it in a suitable location. Like many mechanical items, Otter comes with some technical challenges and requires regular maintenance to remain in working order. We aim to have Otter in operation as much as possible during late Spring and the Summer months, but this is not always possible.
Prior to Otter GCS owned a more sophisticated weedboat; “Osberton”. Although a more capable vessel, Osberton was more complex and difficult to keep in operation. We traded the boat for one more suitable for our needs: Otter.
Otter
Osberton
Earwig
Shown here being worked through Lock 18 behind our trip boat. She’s ‘Working Flat’, and a useful addition to our workboat fleet.
This is so disingenuous – I hope she can’t hear me…but think of her as a floating skip with a cabin, and you will understand her role within the society. Here she is leaving Lock 18 – not under her own steam – she hasn’t got an engine. We think she’s rather cute and we’re pleased to have her as part of the team.
Heron
The Society was able to acquire a pusher tug boat named Heron, following a grant from the Peoples’ Postcode Lottery. Heron joined our fleet in late 2024 and is used in combination with a pan boat acquired at the same time (known as Peter Pan).
Betty
In late 2024 we were able to acquire Betty, with support from the South Kesteven Shared Prosperity Fund. Betty is being used for silt removal and comes complete with a tracked excavator and jack legs.
(Peter) Pan
We acquired a pan boat in late 2024 (known as Peter Pan), the pan boat is unpowered and is manoeuvred primarily by Heron our pusher tug boat. The purpose of the pan is to carry silt material that has been removed from the canal.
