Restored narrow boat will be towed to King’s cross museum by horse

A rare 100-year-old narrow boat will arrive at the London Canal Museum tomorrow (Thursday) after a 200-mile journey.

Newly restored to her original colourful glory, the Ilkeston – one of only a handful of original unpowered narrow boats remaining on Britain’s waterways – will be moored at the museum in New Wharf Road, King’s Cross, until September 23.

On the final leg of her voyage, the vessel will be towed by Buddy, a 13-year-old Clydesdale horse – a sight hardly seen in London since the 1960s.

Ilkeston’s summer-long journey from her base in Cheshire to celebrate her centenary and restoration has taken her through more than 170 locks along England’s waterways.

The boat, built in 1912, has been completely restored thanks to funding from the London Canal Museum and the Heritage Lottery Fund, and due to the work of staff, volunteers and trainees in the Heritage Boatyard at her home at the National Waterways Museum in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire.

She is due to arrive at the museum at 1pm.