Boater: A Life on England's Waterways

by Jo Bell

Step aboard Boater, a mesmerising voyage along the tranquil waterways of England, written by UK Canal Laureate, Jo Bell.

From her mooring in Macclesfield in the north-west of England to the storied Bristol Channel, Jo invites readers to join her on a 30-day odyssey, beginning with the end of a tempestuous relationship and echoing a journey previously taken by LTC Rolt, a legendary engineer and advocate of the waterways.

In this exquisitely crafted memoir, Jo Bell seamlessly weaves together personal anecdotes with the rich tapestry of British waterway culture. As a trained archaeologist and seasoned boater, Jo offers unparalleled insights into the lives of those who call the waterways their home, inviting readers to delve into the depths of its history, culture and society along the banks.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, History, Travel, Ebooks

304 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 19, 2025

Reviews

[Maggie Halpin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A glorious part memoir, part history, part call to action account of the wonderful Jo Bell’s adventures in her narrow boat. Who needs the Bourne films when you can read about plucky little Tinker’s hair-raising trip body surfing up the Severn tidal range!

I adored this book, huge thank you to the publisher for an advance reading copy.

[Jonathan Hopkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do read this enchanting story of life on water in all its magical forms Possibly best in hardcopy for Eric Gaskell's woodcut illustrations

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a born Wiganer, I thought I knew a bit about canals. I’ve walked a tow path or twenty, counting the upended, sunken shopping trollies with the best of them.

It’s only since adopting Macclesfield as my new home, though, that I have really started to appreciate what the canals offer for people now they are primarily sources of leisure rather than transport or commerce.

I hadn’t really wondered why that is, but Jo Bell acquits her fondness for canals (and in particular, the Macclesfield canal) very well in this book, and has convinced me that I’m not just getting old (not JUST, but one can’t deny the trend is plotted along the curve nicely). Canals are p cool actually and she does an excellent job of making me want to pack up my life and live on a narrowboat.

This is a very gentle book, and contains only the mildest of some very mild peril. Jo’s personal anecdotes blend nicely with her writings on the history of the canal system. I probably won’t go on to read more about the history of canals, but I consider myself well informed and aware of the dangers of letting such a precious commodity fall into disrepair and ruin.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed it and now I know a lot about canals

[Simon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this autobiographical journey by narrow boat around England's canal system with some history, occasional poetry and sharp observations of people, loves, life, the universe and everything. But.... mostly canals.

Jo Bell writes her story well and you are drawn in quickly. Honesty, I'm sorry to finish this!

4-stars for definite and I did ponder making it 5 but decided not to. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I'd recommend it!

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this memoir—not just for its engaging storytelling, but for how much I learned about narrow-boats, canals, rivers, and the vibrant communities that thrive along them. Listening to the audio-book version while walking, especially along the canal near my home, made the experience even more immersive. Bell’s poetic prose and deep affection for the waterways brought the scenes to life, making me feel as though I was cruising alongside her on her narrow-boat, Tinker. It’s a truly informative and heartfelt read (or listen), and I’d highly recommend it to anyone curious about life on the water or simply looking for a beautifully told story of resilience, adventure, and connection.

[Peter Corley]

"The universe is change; our life is what our thoughts make it" . Marcus Aurelius, Meditations

Thank you, Jo - I have devoured your book in just four or five "helpings", starting in my native Yorkshire, and ending here (whilst on holiday) in County Wexford. A pleasure to read, witty, insightful and full of historical (and technical) detail on the cha!lenges and delights of being a modern day boater - I am sorely tempted to join in! Good luck on the "Stoic" - I shall keep an eye out for you.

[Mae Leveson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jo Bell’s book is a wonderful mix of history and travel. She is first drawn to archeology through watching Indiana Jones though, as she explains, British archeology is a bit different with more mud and fewer Nazis! She comes to the canals through a job for British Waterways and she realises how little some know about their history. Even some of the canal side workers don’t know that the canals were built and are not naturally occurring features.

Jo spends time on boats and discovers a love for this way of life. She buys a boat that she renames Tinker and begins her journey of exploration and adventure on the British canal system, with many mishaps along the way. She comes to appreciate that, although the adventure is a small one, the country in which it happens is not on the usual map, but inside a parallel geography of a map-within-a-map of England and Wales….’This watery nation is an idiosyncratic country, which inspires a love of place without nationalism’. Over twenty years, she meets extraordinary people and learns about human nature and more about herself: about her ability to overcome the difficulties life presents and her determination to meet the challenges.

I found this book very interesting and recommend it to anyone who has ever considered life as a liveaboard on the canal network, or who wishes to learn more about British waterways.

[Ms Jayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was brilliant! I absolutely loved Tinker and Jo and hearing about their adventures. The nature writing was superb and the poetry was very enjoyable too.

There was a bit of drama and I found myself holding my breath when they were in the Harecastle Tunnel and I also found the section of the Bristol Channel a bit tense too.

This is a happy book and very inspiring. I was extremely moved by the passages describing the photograph of Tinker battling the waves of the Severn towards the end - it sounded a wonderful experience and Jo's love for her brave little boat really shone through.

[John Griffiths · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a sparkling read. There are plenty of accounts of living on the canals but this one combines the storyline of the author with the history and archaeology of the waterways. Bell was employed as an acrchaeologist by the Canal and Waterways Trust so she knows her stuff. The book is well written and hilarious too. Highly recommended. If you are wanting a book which gives a flavour of what canal living is like this is a worthy addition.

[Alastair Gain · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly wonderful book, a sparkling writer, I have to say that Jo May be the best writer of any book I’ve ever read !
I’m only sad because she has no other books for me to read. Her descriptive emotive entertaining style of writing kept me loving this book all the way through, I adored the way she dipped into history without getting stodgy and then back to her own day to day canal way of life. An incredible book which I think should be winning awards, a classic.

[Hannah Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nobody is as surprised as me but this was an absolute belter. I found it hard at times to engage with the book as a whole because I kept tripping over individual lines. Absolute poetry (obviously, Bell is a poet) and delightfully human. And Bell’s voice, her wonderful personality was on every page. Even got me emotional over a bloody boat lmao. I loved it, who knew xxxx

[Ellie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5*
Part memoir part facts, which normally I love. And I did enjoy this book but found sometimes I got a bit of whiplash from the history to the sudden turn of knowing who the author was then in a relationship with. A lot of names mentioned.
Enjoyable, learnt about canals, learnt about life on canals but maybe not what I expected.

[Gillian Tipton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eloquent, emotional, educational and entertaining

A wonderful amalgamation of personal experience and historical information in a delightfully crafted work of wit, wisdom and words. An absolute joy to read. Best book I've read in years.

[Eric Gaskell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jo is a fine poet, but she also writes wonderful prose. I learned a lot and laughed a lot in this great little book about a singular life on the canal filled with character and good sense.

[Simon Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable book, interweaving the history of the English canal system with the author's memoirs of life on a boat in an entertaining way.

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely read for those who have dreamed of traveling England’s canals on a narrow boat. I enjoyed the author’s wit and imagery.
4 1/2 stars.

[Amber Homersham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written with a great sense of dry humour, also very factual, learnt loads!

[Joana D'Arc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tem partes bem interessantes.

[Kevin Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read