Tarporley Camden Canals Narrowboat Association
0800 772 3898
Who we are
We are a registered charity based organisation run by volunteers. Our goal is to help improve peoples mental health and wellbeing through canal cruises, and community. We provide a range of social and educational opportunities for people living/working in the London Borough of Camden and the surrounding area. The focus of these activities is centred around narrowboats and the canals. Tarporley is one of the few remaining traditional narrowboats left, our work with her is helping to keep canal history alive for its passengers as well as its future.
What we do
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Community Boat Trips: We run regular trips for people with mental health issues, those who feel isolated (especially in the senior generations.) people with neurodivergences and other groups. Our aim is to help improve life for those who might be struggling in the community and to provide a welcoming space for people to thrive.
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Boat hire: Our boat is available for hire. Whether for events, day trips or overnight groups, Tarporley is perfect. Our routes are along the regents canal and Grand Union mainline. All profits go to our non-profit charitable trips we provide for the community and other non-profit organisations. (such as groups listed above.)
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Training centre: We are a registered NCBA training centre where you can not only gain the hours and experience for your Skippers License but also pass both crew and skippers certificates with us.
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Local events: Throughout the year we are part of/run many different kinds of events incorporating boats, arts and crafts, environmental science, culture, conservation and community.
Tarporley's History
Tarporley is a registered heritage narrowboat, originally used to carry cargos through London's canals, she has journeyed as far north as Birmingham! Built in 1937 by W J Yarwood, she has been running for over 86 years! She holds a Lister diesel HR2A engine, installed in 1958 and was one of 37 Large Northwich 'Town' Class boats. 'Town' Class boats were named in alphabetical order after towns and villages in the UK - the first to be delivered was 'Halsall' and the last 'Yeoford'.
She survived the second world war and was based at Bulls Bridge in Southall, still transporting cargo along the canals. She changed hands several times until she was bought by the London Borough of Camden in 1972, who wanted to provide residential and day trips for the young and elderly. They converted the boat, replacing the section that once held cargo with accommodation for 12 passengers, a shower room and a galley (Kitchen). Many of the original features were retained such as the boatman's cabin and the engine room which are still here to this day.
She was operated by the LBC for more than 20 years. Professional skippers would take groups of all ages on trips up and down the canals. Ultimately due to multiple reasons including rising costs, they decided to transfer the boat, (and the opportunities that it provided for the local community.) to the voluntary sector (Us!).
From this, CCNA was born and formed in 1998. Since then Tarporley has been maintained as a community boat, continuing to take out groups of all varieties. Her home turf is Regents Canal, but she occasionally ventures as far as the River Lea, the Thames and the Grand Union Canal.
Tarporley is mostly used now to help Camden's community, with boat trips to improve peoples mental health, wellbeing, communication and confidence.
We look forward to meeting you!
Tarporley Interior
Help us make a difference
We are a non-profit organisation, we are all volunteers, we pay no employees, so all of our profits go to keeping our historic boat running and helping the community thrive.
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Hire our boat for trips, group events, and any other activities. All profits go to helping improve peoples mental health and wellbeing within the community.
Contact us to donate what you feel, any amount is incredibly welcome and goes straight into helping our vulnerable groups get out onto the waterway.
Be part of our organisation and see the difference first hand! We are always happy to have new volunteers. Any amount of time you can share is very appreciated.