Narrowboats do not enjoy the most glamourous of reputations when it comes to holiday and leisure pursuits. But few Camden residents realise that the boats drifting on the patch of water they may glimpse from the street are actually winding their way down part of a complex set of waterways stretching across London-waterways which once formed the backbone of Britain’s industrial development.

One of those boats is the Tarporley, Camden’s community narrowboat, which is moored on the Regent’s Canal at Battlebridge Basin, Kings Cross. A trip on the Tarporley is probably best summed up as a cross between a nature ramble and a history lesson, with some physical work thrown in.

The Tarporley can be hired, complete with a fully trained volunteer crew, by community groups across the borough. Cruises last between five hours and five days. The more adventurous can arrange longer trips – it only takes a week to travel the length of the Grand Union Canal to the Midlands.

Brian and June Hancock are seasoned canal folk and, like all the other volunteers on the Tarporley, they’re more than happy to change their work patterns to fit around the various bookings. Both are extremely enthusiastic about a life on the crest of a wave.

“Narrowboating is a good activity holiday, especially for making a team out of people,” says June.

“You have to work together. I’m quite happy to come and cook for the weekend or the week. We have a crew, so all people have to do really is bring the children and the luggage.”

The 72ft Tarporley was originally built in 1937 to carry cargo. Once it’s working life was over, it was bought by Camden Council and converted for the use of community groups in 1972.

Today the Tarporley is operated by the Camden Canals & Narrowboat Association, a charity financed through a small grant from Camden Council’s Voluntary Sector Unit.

The volunteers who help keep the narrowboat afloat are not only fully trained to steer – between them they possess the skills needed to tackle the mechanical work, electronics and decorating to get the Tarporley back to her former glory.

The original bargees wouldn’t recognise the 12-berth boat, fully equipped kitchen and the washroom with basin, shower and lavatory all ingeniously tucked into a space just over six feet wide.

For Carl, one of the volunteers, the renovation is a labour of love. He spent most weekends living in the boatman’s cabin at the back while the Tarporley was stripped and painted.

“We started about six months ago, and I spend three out of four weekends doing bits and pieces,” says Carl.

“We have had a few problems with the painting because of the weather. I decided that October would be mild but we had the wettest October on record. Every time we tried to paint, the heavens opened and the paint ran, but it’s not too bad.”

The colourful curtains and upholstery in the main cabin are the handywork of Bob and Esther wakely, who put in as much time as they can, often with the help of their daughter Rose. Esther believes that discovering the delights of life on the canal is an absolute pleasure.

“We would like to see lots more people using the canal,” says Esther. “Some stretches on the Regents Canal are like the countryside. You can also get a lot of exercise walking between the locks. We’ve had elderly people on various trips, not just the young.The boat is here for any group that wants to discover the canals.”

Whatever your interest, there’s something for everybody. The crew are a mine of of information about the industrial archaeology and history, as well as the wildlife seen along the route. And with a top speed of four miles an hour, a leisurely cruise on the Tarporley is the perfect stress-free break, once you get used to the impromptu audiences, who gather to watch the boat negotiate the numerous lock gates. (Veterans call them gonzoozlers – from the old naval slang term meaning to to stand idly on a quayside and stare). This tends to be the point where shy and retiring narrowboaters do just that – retire to the cabin for a cup of tea and a biscuit.