Books and Maps
Blakes gives you much more
Whether cruising the Norfolk broads or exploring the canals and waterways of England, Wales, Italy, France, Germany or Holland, you’ll discover the same high standards, quality of service, and wealth of experience that millions of boating holiday enthusiasts have come to expect from Blakes over the past 100 years.
We offer a wide range of books and maps on boating for you to purchase and enjoy.
You can draw on our years of experience by reading some of our reommended books and maps to help you plan your boating holiday.
Beginner's Guide
New to boating?
All you need to know, handy reference
Inland Waterways Helmsman Certificates
Blakes are pleased to offer Royal Yachting Association training courses for the Inland Waterways Helmsman Certificate from recognised RYA teaching establishments. Whether you are about to take your maiden voyage or you’re already experienced, you will find it very useful to be able to brush up on the main points, to feel totally confident and comfortable on your boat.
The one-day RYA course unravels the
mysteries of locks, bridges and tunnels, as
well as basic boat handling and waterway
rules and regulations.
The comprehensive syllabus ensures that you become a competent helmsman, leaving you free to enjoy your holiday relaxed and in safety.
One, two and three-day courses are available at selected boatyards. Full details are available from our Reservations Team. Call 0845 604 3985 or email bbh.enquiry@holidaycottagesgroup.com
Boating in Britain
BW45 Canal & River Cruising
Getting onto the water couldn′t be simpler: you just hire a boat. But what sort of boat? How do you handle and maintain it, and how do you manoeuvre it through locks, tunnels and swing bridges? Canal and river cruising answers all these questions and more.
BW32 Inland Waterways of Great Britain Planning Map
A route-planning map of navigable canals and rivers in Britain for boating, long distance walking and cycling. It shows boatyards, marinas, locks, tunnels, aqueducts and major rail and road accesses.
BW01 Norfolk Broads Holiday Map
Tourist map covering the whole of the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads area at 1:50,000. Coverage of the Broads rivers extending from North Walsham to Bungay and Norwich to Great Yarmouth with navigation information and features of interest and places to visit.
BW29 Complete Guide to the Broads
Very informative and up to date with good map graphics and good basic information. All in all recommended as one of the best basic guides to what to expect of the Broads.
BW61 Nicholson/OS Guide No 1
The waterways featured in this guide are: Chelmer and Blackwater, Grand Union Canal, Lee and Stort Navigations, Oxford Canal, River Medway, River Thames and the Wendover Arm of the Grand Union.
BW62 Nicholson/OS Guide No 2
Waterways covered in this guide - River Avon, Birmingham Canal Navigations (Main Line), Droitwich Canal, Gloucester and Sharpness Canal and the River Severn, Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal, Stourbridge and Dudley Canals, Stratford-on-Avon Canal, Worcester and Birmingham Canal.
BW63 Nicholson/OS Guide No 3
Waterways covered in this guide - Ashby Canal, Birming Canal Navigations, Birmingham and Faxeley Canal, Coventry Canal, Erewash Canal, Grand Union Canal, Oxford Canal, Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal, Stratford-on-Avon Canal, Worcester and Birmingham Canal, Trent and Mersey Canal.
BW64 Nicholson/OS Guide No 4
Waterways covered in this guide - Caldon and Leek Canals, Llangollen Canal, Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal, Neath and Tennant and Swansea Canals, Montgomery Canal, Shropshire Union Canal, Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal, Trent and Mersey Canal, River Weaver.
BW65 Nicholson/OS Guide No 5
Waterways covered in this guide - Aire and Calder Navigation, Bridgewater Canal, Calder and Hebble Navigation, Huddersfield Narrow Canal, Huddersfield Broad Canal, Lancaster Canal, Leeds and Liverpool Canal, Macclesfield Canal, Peak Forest and Ashton Canals, Rochdale Canal, Trent and Mersey Canal.
BW66 Nicholson/OS Guide No 6
Waterways covered in this guide - Aire and Calder Navigation, Chesterfield Canal, River Derwent, Fossdyke and Witham Navigations, River Ouse, River Ure and Ripon Canal, Pocklington Canal, Selby Canal, Sheffield and South Yorkshire Navigation, River Trent.
BW67 Nicholson/OS Guide No 7
Waterways covered in this guide - Basingstoke Canal, Bridgwater and Taunton Canal, Grand Western Canal, Exeter Ship Canal, Kennet and Avon Canal, River Thames, River Wey.
BW46 River Thames Map
Tourist map of the River Thames featuring the river corridor at 1:60,000 showing facilities available to the boat user with details of boatyards, boat hire and boat trip operators and highlighting the Thames Path.
BW37 The Caledonian Canal Map
Tourist map of the Caledonian Canal featuring the waterway corridor at 1:50,000 showing facilities available to the boat user with details of boatyards, boat hire and boat trip operators. Includes details on the Great Glen Mountain Bike Trail and forest walks. Illustrated guide to canal features of interest.
Boating Abroad
BW37 Inland Waterways of Great Britain Planning Map
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