Boatman Cryptics

@boatmancryptics.co.uk

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Guardian crossword setter & teacher of aspiring word-fiends. Two books of puzzles & the stories behind them: see website for signed copies or to sign up for masterclasses or to commission bespoke puzzles: boatmancryptics.co.uk

Take Boatman - The First 50 to the beach: solve the puzzles and then read the stories behind them!
An average word score of 34.1 in January is as much a surprise to me as it is to anyone else.
A cheap attempt at countering the argument that dragons do not exist by showing a picture of a dragoon
Learn to set crosswords like the professionals! Follow in the footsteps of Basilisk/Jack/Serpent, Bluth/Fed/Django, Carpathian/Vigo, Daedalus, Dice/Guinevere, Hudson/Julius/Knut/Magnus, Karla/Wire, Soup and many more. Intensive 8 hours in two sessions £160 online or £195 in person. Past students say: "Great day … Such a complete course" / "Absolutely brilliant … I really feel ready to step up a level now"
Reviewing Boatman - the first 50, Alan Connor (The Guardian's crossword editor and the brains behind many of BBC2’s quiz programs) says: "This is one to savour. Boatman's puzzles are witty and ingenious. It is an extraordinary pleasure to read how his unique mind works. The first 50 is a book I never knew I needed in my life. Gift it to yourself and to the word-lovers in yours".
A tastefully decorated pan-faith seasonal shrub adorns the Boatman household
The Buddha of Buda enjoys Boatman – the first 50 in the company of his nieces at Christmas – just one of two books of fiendish puzzles and the stories behind them
Graeme has nearly completed one of the fiendish crosswords in Boatman - The First 50. His colouring-in is most attractive! Reviewing Boatman - the first 50, Alan Connor (The Guardian's crossword editor and the brains behind many of BBC2’s quiz programs) says: "This is one to savour. Boatman's puzzles are witty and ingenious. It is an extraordinary pleasure to read how his unique mind works. The first 50 is a book I never knew I needed in my life. Gift it to yourself and to the word-lovers in yours".
Dave Gorman, aka Fed, Bluth and Django in the crossword world, enjoys Boatman puzzles when on tour. Reviewing Boatman - the first 50, Alan Connor (The Guardian's crossword editor and the brains behind many of BBC2’s quiz programs) says: "This is one to savour. Boatman's puzzles are witty and ingenious. It is an extraordinary pleasure to read how his unique mind works. The first 50 is a book I never knew I needed in my life. Gift it to yourself and to the word-lovers in yours".
Boatman - the first 50 reportedly makes a great present or holiday read, exemplified by this image of the book opened to show the story behind the Shipping Forecast puzzle, on display on Brighton beach. Reviewing Boatman - the first 50, Alan Connor (The Guardian's crossword editor and the brains behind many of BBC2’s quiz programs) says: "This is one to savour. Boatman's puzzles are witty and ingenious. It is an extraordinary pleasure to read how his unique mind works. The first 50 is a book I never knew I needed in my life. Gift it to yourself and to the word-lovers in yours". Hugh Stephenson (Alan’s predecessor at The Guardian) says: "This is a unique book of crosswords" and Henry Morris: "a Boatman crossword is like a theme park. Each daunting line is a rollercoaster ... He scares you witless. But you can't wait to do it all over again".
Reviewing Boatman - the first 50, Alan Connor (the Guardian's new crossword editor) says: "This is one to savour. Boatman's puzzles are witty and ingenious. It is an extraordinary pleasure to read how his unique mind works. The first 50 is a book I never knew I needed in my life. Gift it to yourself and to the word-lovers in yours" and Hugh Stephenson (his predecessor) says: "This is a unique book of crosswords".
Brian Bilston's old cat with a copy of Boatman - The First 50
Henry Morris attempts to complete a grid from Boatman - the First 50 in the persona of The Secret Tory
Learn to set crosswords like the professionals - intensive 8 hours in two online sessions for £160
Elvis Presley asleep on a train, wearing a suit and neat white knitted tie. His hands appear to be pinned behind the headrest of his seat as if in some bondage ritual.
Boatman - the first 50 on the beach: a great holiday read
A temptingly incomplete view of a page from the 2025 3D Crossword Calendar in aid of RNIB and BBC Children in Need
Boatman - the first 50 is a great holiday read, exemplified by this image of the book opened to show the story behind the Shipping Forecast puzzle, on display on Brighton beach.