Canal Boat Diaries

Nov 19, 2019

Robbie tackles a propeller problem and tricky locks on the Trent and Mersey Canal.

Nov 20, 2019

A low Staffordshire canal tunnel proves a problem and Robbie helps out a stranded boater.

Nov 21, 2019

A fallen tree and a leaking lock pound hamper Robbie's journey across the Pennines.

Nov 25, 2019

Robbie runs aground on the Rochdale Canal - will he make it to Manchester? English

Nov 26, 2019

There are engine issues and a leaky boat to fix before Robbie reaches Liverpool Docks.

Dec 9, 2020

Life on board a narrowboat with Robbie Cumming. Robbie battles his way through blanket weed on the Shropshire Union Canal and accidentally floods a staircase lock in Chester.

Dec 9, 2020

Life on England’s waterways with Robbie Cumming. Robbie gets stuck in the mud in Woodseaves Cutting and explores the charming canal-side village of Kinver in Staffordshire.

Dec 9, 2020

Robbie navigates the mighty River Severn and takes an unexpected bath as he tumbles at the Tardebigge lock flight in Worcestershire.

Dec 9, 2020

On the last leg of his journey across England, Robbie crosses an epic aqueduct near Stratford-upon-Avon and gets stuck in a lock in central Birmingham.

Mar 14, 2022

Robbie Cumming begins his 170-mile journey across the north of England and soon runs into difficulty when he encounters a propeller problem in Wigan and runs aground in Blackburn. Nevertheless, he pushes on to the Burnley Embankment.

Mar 15, 2022

Narrowboater Robbie Cumming crosses the Pennines on the picturesque Leeds and Liverpool Canal, and lends a hand to hire boaters in Gargrave, North Yorkshire. He also encounters Bingley Five Rise Locks, a wonder of the inland waterways.

Mar 16, 2022

Jump on board with narrowboater Robbie Cumming as he explores the Victorian village of Saltaire on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, moors up in Leeds and goes in search of an abandoned waterway on the Aire and Calder Navigation.

Mar 17, 2022

The last leg of his epic journey across the North of England, Robbie tackles the fast-flowing River Ouse and has an emergency stop. His destination is Ripon at the outer reaches of our inland waterways.

May 1, 2023

Robbie begins his 300-mile adventure across the north of England and the Midlands. He is forced to make a running repair while on the Tinsley lock flight.

May 2, 2023

Robbie Cumming tackles the fast-flowing tidal River Trent and is invited to join a night-time illuminated boat parade. However, his journey is hampered by a damaged wall in Worksop and a water shortage on the picturesque Chesterfield Canal. Will he make it by boat to Kiveton Park?

May 3, 2023

Autumnal fog and an overheating engine prove to be problems for narrowboater Robbie Cumming as he navigates a Roman waterway and the fast-flowing River Trent. It’s a journey of many challenges as he runs aground and breaks down in Nottingham.

May 4, 2023

Robbie Cumming has issues with ice before taking on the famous Foxton lock flight. His destination is Braunston, the spiritual home for narrowboaters.

Jun 3, 2024

Robbie Cumming journeys through Royal Leamington Spa and the historic town of Warwick with its medieval castle.

Jun 4, 2024

Robbie Cumming sets out to explore the meandering waterways of inner city Birmingham including the Soho Loop and the Engine Arm Canal.

Jun 5, 2024

Disaster strikes when the Naughty Lass collides with a low bridge on the Bumble Hole Canal Branch damaging a chimney.

Jun 6, 2024

Robbie Cumming explores the picturesque Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal.

Jun 7, 2024

It's Robbie's toughest trip yet as he battles through water weed on the Bradley Arm and gets stuck in silt on the Ridgacre Branch.

Jun 10, 2024

Robbie Cumming encounters a leaky lock pound on the Perry Barr Flight and gets marooned in the mud before travelling under Spaghetti Junction in Birmingham.

Jun 11, 2024

Robbie Cumming discovers a mysterious message in a bottle on the Ashby Canal and calls in to meet a mate who lives on an old narrowboat.

Jun 12, 2024

Robbie Cumming takes a tumble at Buckby Locks in Northamptonshire and has a problem with his power supply and battery bank.

Jun 13, 2024

A window gets smashed onboard the Naughty Lass and Robbie receives a soaking inside the very wet Blisworth Tunnel on the Grand Union Canal.

Jun 14, 2024

During a cold snap Robbie gets iced in on the Grand Union Canal. Later, his parents pay a visit and help him through Marsworth Locks.

May 19, 2025

Robbie Cumming navigates the scenic Oxford Canal onboard Naughty Lass, explores its twists and turns, and helps tow a stranded broken-down boater.

May 20, 2025

Robbie navigates the Oxford Canal, bumps into a hire boat and a hedge and tackles large river locks on the scenic Upper River Thames.

May 26, 2025

Robbie's narrowboat gets a makeover before he explores the River Thames, he moors in Abingdon and tackles an emergency DIY repair to fix a leak.

May 27, 2025

Robbie visits a former Beatle's home in Henley, uncovers horror history in Marlow and struggles to find a mooring in Maidenhead on the River Thames.

Jun 2, 2025

While exploring the Wey and Godalming Navigations, Robbie gets caught in a storm and falls off his narrowboat. He also uncovers rock history in Guildford.

Jun 3, 2025

Robbie's narrowboat gets stuck under a low bridge on the challenging Basingstoke Canal as he battles through water weed. Can he make it to journey's end?

Jun 9, 2025

Robbie moors by Hampton Court Palace, but disaster strikes when a tree branch smashes a window. His dad joins to help through Hanwell locks.

Jun 10, 2025

Robbie returns to where his boating life began, exploring London's canals on Naughty Lass. He travels through Little Venice and moors in Paddington Basin.

Jun 16, 2025

Robbie mends a leaky pump on the Naughty Lass on the Grand Union Canal. In Watford, he visits a TV legend's home and buys gas from a friendly fuel boat.

Jun 17, 2025

Robbie navigates the wintery Grand Union Canal while preparing for Christmas and narrowly avoids flooding his boat in a tricky staircase lock.

May 18, 2026

Robbie begins a new canal adventure in Wales and encounters towering aqueducts and stunning scenery along the way.

May 18, 2026

Robbie's journey on the Llangollen Canal takes an unexpected turn when his boat gets stuck in silt and a passing hire boat comes to the rescue.

May 25, 2026

As Robbie leaves the scenic Llangollen Canal, he faces a journey of running repairs and narrowboat maintenance on the old Naughty Lass.

May 25, 2026

With the Anderton Boat Lift out of action, Robbie explores the scenic River Weaver onboard a borrowed narrowboat called 'Tench'.

Jun 1, 2026

Robbie sets off from Runcorn on the Bridgewater Canal, but a series of unfortunate mishaps soon tests his patience - from lost camera footage to closed canals.

Jun 1, 2026

Robbie slips and falls overboard on Heartbreak Hill. Also, Eddie 'the Stove Man' and his enormous German Shepherd fix the fireplace on the old Naughty Lass.

Jun 8, 2026

Robbie helps rescue a runaway narrowboat on the scenic Macclesfield Canal and cruises through autumn scenery toward Congleton to see a shipwreck up for sale.

Jun 8, 2026

Fallen trees block Robbie's journey on the Peak Forest Canal. Later, he meets TV host Terry Christian, whose dad once worked a local waterway.

Jun 15, 2026

Robbie struggles with grounding out, a tangled prop and constant challenges on the Rochdale Canal - known as the 'Everest of Canals' - to reach its highest point.

Jun 15, 2026

Robbie takes a detour to investigate a local UFO legend in Todmorden, and the UK's deepest canal lock springs a leak, causing trouble for the Naughty Lass.