Browse all episodes of Canal Boat Diaries

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

Shardlow to Stoke-on-Trent

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.

Wigan to Burnley

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.

Knottingley to Ripon

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

English

Sowerby Bridge to Manchester

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.

Barrowford to Bingley

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

Froghall to Bugsworth Basin

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.

Market Drayton to Stourport-on-Severn

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.

Stratford-upon-Avon to Birmingham

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.

Dowley Gap to Ferrybridge

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

Marple to Huddersfield

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

Stourport Basins to Kingswood Junction

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

Manchester to Liverpool

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.

Ellesmere Port to Audlem

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.

Sheffield to Keadby

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?

Keadby to Kiveton Park

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.

Lincoln to Nottingham

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

Loughborough to Braunston

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

Braunston to Lapworth

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

Yardley Wood to Netherton Tunnel

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

Hawne Basin to Stourbridge

Robbie Cumming explores the picturesque Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal.

Stourton to Wolverhampton

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.

Wolverhampton to Anglesey Basin

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.

Great Barr to Atherstone

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.

Atherstone to Moira

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

Coventry to Weedon Bec

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

Bugbrooke to Milton Keynes

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.

Simpson to Little Tring

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

Napton Junction to Aynho Wharf

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

Aynho Wharf to Bablock Hythe

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.

Oxford to Reading

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.

Reading to Windsor

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.

Windsor to Godalming

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?

Byfleet to Odiham Castle

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

Weybridge to Stonebridge Park

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.

Harlesden to Stratford

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.

Cowley to Hunton Bridge

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

Hunton Bridge to Aylesbury

Travelling through England’s landscapes, towns and villages, Robbie Cumming offers a personal take on life aboard his narrowboat the Naughty Lass.

All Episodes of Canal Boat Diaries

Season 1

Shardlow to Stoke-on-Trent

Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 11/19/2019

Sowerby Bridge to Manchester

Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 11/25/2019

Froghall to Bugsworth Basin

Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 11/20/2019

Marple to Huddersfield

Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 11/21/2019

Manchester to Liverpool

Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 11/26/2019