Ilkeston is a horse-drawn narrowboat, built in 1912. In 2012 it made a centenary journey to London to celebrate its restoration and birthday.
This page is now closed to new entries but retained for viewing. To celebrate a partnership between the National Waterways Museum, the Boat Museum Society and the London Canal Museum, Ilkeston made a centenary journey south from Ellesmere Port to spend a month at London Canal Museum. The journey was spread over some weeks starting in mid June and ended in London on 23rd August. The return jourey started on 23rd September.
Mission: To preserve this historic horse boat for the education and benefit of present and future generations.
Operating as usual
Ilkeston's Journey is now over. This page will remain in place for a while, so readers can carry on liking our pictures etc for the time being. The page will eventually be closed. We'd like people to please "Like" the Ilkeston's Journey partners who have pages: these pages are permanent.
National Waterways Museum
London Canal Museum
Rickmansworth Waterways Trust
Canal & River Trust
Stoke Bruerne Canal Museum
Thank you for your interest in Ilkeston's Journey!
Ilkeston's return to Ellesmere Port on video - make a cup of tea and have a listen to the speeches.
Our restored 100 year old narrowboat Ilkeston returned to the National Waterways Museum, Ellesmere Port, on Sunday October 14. She's been away all summer in ...
Ilkeston is now moored up alongside her old friend Ferret at the National Waterways Museum were you are welcome to step aboard and see the beautiful restoration work which was carried out on site in the HLF Heritage Boatyard
After a centenary journey of 489 miles, helped along the way by a host of partners and volunteers, Ilkeston arrives back at Ellesmere Port where the journey started. Photography: Jonathan Kerry
After a centenary journey of 489 miles, helped along the way by a host of partners and volunteers, Ilkeston arrives back at Ellesmere Port where the journey started. Photography: Jonathan Kerry
As Ilkeston leaves the bottom lock at Tyrley yesterday morning one can understand why this atmospheric flight of locks is reputed to be haunted.
Ilkeston is well on her way back to the National Waterways Museum. Here she is seen, at lunchtime today, leaving Cut End on the Shropshire Union Canal after an efficient passage down the Wolverhampton '21'
Ilkeston is moored at the top of the Wolverhampton flight before the last push home to the National Waterways Museum. She is due to arrive there on Sunday afternoon (14th October) were she will be greeted by the Mayor of Ellesmere Port.
Ilkeston was on show in the Second City 9th October 2012
Ilkeston was on show in the Second City 9th October 2012
Ilkeston had some VIP visitors this afternoon. Secretary of State for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs, Owen Patterson, Sir Tony Baldry MP, Chair, All-Party Waterways Group, Peter Mathews, Chair of the West Midlands Waterway Partnership, were welcomed on board by Tony Hales, Chair of the Canal and River Trust. The Secretary of State stayed for about half an hour talking to guests and crew and inspecting the boats.
Ilkeston has set off towards home at the National Waterways Museum after a short stay at Braunston marina, courtesy of Tim Coghlan. Today’s journey involved 25 locks as Ilkeston moved 18 miles nearer to home. Tonight she is moored at Warwick.
Ilkeston was towed by 'Joshua' from Chiltern Heavy Horses last Saturday. (photography: lawford thomas)
We have recently discovered this video report by the Press Association on Ilkeston's day of arrival in London, 23rd August. http://youtu.be/v83xlnx5eWM. It is not strictly true that there have been no horses for 60 years, but there certainly have been none attended with so much public interest! The video features an interview at Hampstead Road Lock with Tony Hales, Chair of the CRT.
A narrowboat is pulled through London by horse for the first time in 60 years
Beer Festival and Fright Night at the National Waterways Musuem
The show takes place onMonday October 29, Tuesday October 30 and Wednesday October 31and tickets cost £5 for adults and £4 for children. The tickets are on sale now at the museum and advance booking is essential – last year the event sold out. Please call us or visit the museum to book your tickets.
This old letter from the Grand Junction Canal Company was given to the Canal Museum, Stoke Bruerne (Friends) by London Canal Museum on the day of Ilkeston's display at Stoke Bruerne, on the way home from London to Ellesmere Port. The letter was chasing up some money owning in the Blisworth area, near the museum.
On 28th September Ilkeston was displayed outside the Canal Museum, Stoke Bruerne
On 28th September Ilkeston was displayed outside the Canal Museum, Stoke Bruerne
Ilkeston is going to be on display tomorrow at the Canal Museum, Stoke Bruerne, so there will be an opportunity for one day only (28th September) to see the boat and take the opportunity to visit the museum as well. The Village turns the clock back to the 1940s this Saturday and Sunday for Village at War. Unfortunately Ilkeston cannot stay on for the nostalgia and re-enactments as it has a journey to complete!
Ilkeston and Buckden pass through a bridge, Buckden towing.
Ilkeston and Buckden: Home Park Lock
Ilkeston at lot Mead and Home Park
Ilkeston at lot Mead and Home Park
On 24th September, Ilkeston set off for home, leaving the London Canal Museum soon after 1000. This video shows the slow exit from Battlebridge Basin, with the narrowboat Buckden towing.
There is now a video of Ilkeston's departure from London Canal Museum at:
http://youtu.be/8WEAEDW2WEw
Ilkeston, the restored horse narrowboat, begins its return journey from London Canal Museum to the National Waterways Museum in this video. On 24th September...
On 24th September, Ilkeston departed from London Canal Museum for Ellesmere Port
On 24th September, Ilkeston departed from London Canal Museum for Ellesmere Port
A chapter is over, and a new chapter opens tomorrow. Ilkeston's last day on show in London was a dreary day of constant rain and as a result visitor numbers were not as good as we would have hoped. Tomorow, Ilkeston sets off for home on its return journey. Follow her progress on Facebook and the blog at http://www.ilkeston.tumblr.com
Ilkeston's return journey schedule has been published on the blog and on the Boat Museum Society website:
http://www.boatmuseumsociety.org.uk/Ilkeston%20programme.pdf http://www.ilkeston.tumblr.com
She leaves London Canal Museum tomorrow Monday 24th September. The museum is not open on Mondays so photographers should watch from the canal towpath.
Last day tomorrow (Sunday 23rd September) to see Ilkeston in London at London Canal Museum so if you're in the south get to King's Cross, it's your last chance to see her in London.
Ilkeston has has around 150 visitors today thanks to London Open House.
There is one week now to go before Ilkeston sets off back to the north. See Ilkeston in London by 23rd September!
There are two weeks to go now in which to see Ilkeston in London at the London Canal Museum. If you're in the south of England, take your opportunity to see her whilst you can do so in London. Of course Ilkeston will be on display at the National Waterways Museum in Ellesmere Port later this year.
Sorry it was so long coming..... here is the video of Ilkeston's Journey through London, horse-drawn, on 23rd August.
On 23rd August 2012, the restored horse narrowboat Ilkeston, from the National Waterways Museum, completed its 200 mile journey from Ellesmere Port to to London Canal Museum, celebrating its centenary, its restoration, and the partnership between museums that helped to make it possible. For the journey through Regent's Park and Camden Town to King's Cross, Ilkeston was drawn by a horse called Buddy. On the edge of Regent's Park, Ilkeston was seen off by the Lord Mayor of Westminster, and the Chair of the Canal and River Trust. At Camden large crowds had gathered to see it, and on arrival at London Canal Museum, a band played, balloons were released, and a cake was cut by BBC journalist Kate Adie, to celebrate the end of Ilkeston's long journey.
On 23rd August 2012, the restored horse narrowboat Ilkeston, from the National Waterways Museum, completed its 200 mile journey from Ellesmere Port to to London Canal Museum, celebrating its centenary, its restoration, and the partnership between museums that helped to make it possible. For the journey through Regent's Park and Camden Town to King's Cross, Ilkeston was drawn by a horse called Buddy. On the edge of Regent's Park, Ilkeston was seen off by the Lord Mayor of Westminster, and the Chair of the Canal and River Trust. At Camden large crowds had gathered to see it, and on arrival at London Canal Museum, a band played, balloons were released, and a cake was cut by BBC journalist Kate Adie, to celebrate the end of Ilkeston's long journey.
Ilkeston was taken to the Angel Canal Festival on 2nd September
Ilkeston was taken to the Angel Canal Festival on 2nd September
Ilkeston will be at the Angel Canal Festival on Sunday (2nd September) which is a free festival open 1100 to 1800. We will be moored alongside Graham Street Gardens. It is not guaranteed, but we are hoping to be able to show the video of Ilkeston's journey through London on board the boat. Visitors will be able to see inside the cabins and talk to some of the crew who towed it on the last few miles of its 200 mile journey.
Videos of horse-boating at Rickmansworth, a song and a poem for Ilkeston are featured on the Ilkeston blog recently. http://www.ilkeston.tumblr.com
https://plus.google.com/b/118167333571411066154/photos/118167333571411066154/albums/5781146390025474705 Pictures in London Canal Museum;s G+ page
Another excellent photoset from Tim Lewis and friend..... http://timlewis.smugmug.com/Other/Ilkeston-Arrives-At-London/24957431_7w4Fb2#!i=2044783396&k=P5M3RK2
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Ilkeston and Buckden pass through a bridge, Buckden towing.
Ilkeston and Buckden: Home Park Lock
On 24th September, Ilkeston set off for home, leaving the London Canal Museum soon after 1000. This video shows the slow exit from Battlebridge Basin, with the narrowboat Buckden towing.
On 23rd August 2012, the restored horse narrowboat Ilkeston, from the National Waterways Museum, completed its 200 mile journey from Ellesmere Port to to London Canal Museum, celebrating its centenary, its restoration, and the partnership between museums that helped to make it possible. For the journey through Regent's Park and Camden Town to King's Cross, Ilkeston was drawn by a horse called Buddy. On the edge of Regent's Park, Ilkeston was seen off by the Lord Mayor of Westminster, and the Chair of the Canal and River Trust. At Camden large crowds had gathered to see it, and on arrival at London Canal Museum, a band played, balloons were released, and a cake was cut by BBC journalist Kate Adie, to celebrate the end of Ilkeston's long journey.
Ilkeston, the 1912 horseboat, is seen gliding silently by during a horse boating trial on 4th August 2012. There is no sound track to this video, but even if there had been, there is no sound except the wind.....
The swing bridge swung to let Ilkeston and her escort Roger pass thorugh.
A simple video of Roger and Ilkeston passing under a bridge in berkhampstead on 4th July.
LSESU Economic History Society
1 Sheffield St, LondonThe Gravy Train and Roads to Recovery Exhibit
The Conference Centre, St Pancras Hotpital 4 ST Pancras Way, London
The National Waterways Museum (Ellesmere Port
National Waterways Museum, Ellesmere Port, Cheshire