Canals
Kelpies Marina
Falkirk, Falkirk · Forth & Clyde Canal
£273 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Cheapest canal moorings and marinas
Every site here with a published price, cheapest first, worked out for the same boat so the figures compare. Marinas, basins and linear towpath moorings on the canal network: mostly narrowboats and widebeams, priced per foot or metre a year, with a navigation licence on top.
98 sites · 28 with space now · 2 with a waiting list · typical £3,243 a year for a 57ft narrowboat (£273–£8,979 across 98 published tariffs)
At a glance
- 98 sites, all on canals.
- 28 of the 98 told us in the last six weeks they have space: Bosworth Marina, Lichfield Cruising Club, Bill Fen Marina, Shire Cruisers, Sowerby Bridge, Dowley Gap L1, Bank Newton Lock 36 and 22 more.
- Keeping a waiting list: Mayroyd Moorings and Lee Valley Marina, Rye House.
- For a 57ft narrowboat, published prices run from £273 a year (Kelpies Marina) to £8,979 a year (Engineers Wharf Residential L1); the middle of 98 is £3,243 a year.
- Longest boat taken: 60m (197ft) at Albert Basin.
- Of the 98, 71 have electric hook-up, 51 a pump-out, 41 diesel, 2 a boat hoist and 8 visitor berths.
- 33 of the 98 allow liveaboards, outright or by arrangement.
- Groups running more than one: ABC Leisure Group (12), Canal & River Trust (19), Essex Waterways (2) and Scottish Canals (29).
Canals
Berths available
Bosworth Marina
Market Bosworth, Leicestershire · Ashby Canal
£463 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Albert Basin
Newry, Down · Newry Ship Canal
£527 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Lady Bee Marina
Southwick, West Sussex · Shoreham Ship Canal
£543 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Berths available
Lichfield Cruising Club
Lichfield, Staffordshire · Wyrley & Essington Canal and Coventry Canal
£1,283 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Barby Moorings
Barby, Northamptonshire · Oxford Canal
£1,440 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Berths available
Bill Fen Marina
Ramsey, Cambridgeshire · Middle Level Navigations
£1,557 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Reddingmuirhead
Reddingmuirhead, Falkirk · Union Canal
£1,565 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Berths available
Shire Cruisers, Sowerby Bridge
Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire · Calder & Hebble Navigation
£1,640 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Shepley Bridge Marina
Mirfield, West Yorkshire · Huddersfield Broad Canal
£1,770 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
The Falkirk Wheel Linear
Falkirk, Falkirk · Forth & Clyde Canal
£1,798 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Waiting list
Mayroyd Moorings
Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire · Rochdale Canal
£1,929 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Lock 16 Moorings
Falkirk, Falkirk · Forth & Clyde Canal
£1,936 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Full
Talbot Wharf
Market Drayton, Shropshire · Shropshire Union Canal
£1,984 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Savile Town Wharf
Dewsbury, West Yorkshire · Calder & Hebble Navigation
£2,021 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Berths available
Dowley Gap L1
Bingley, West Yorkshire · Leeds & Liverpool Canal
£2,084 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Berths available
Bank Newton Lock 36
Skipton, North Yorkshire · Leeds & Liverpool Canal
£2,140 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Berths available
Burscough Bridge L1 Leisure
Burscough, Lancashire · Leeds & Liverpool Canal
£2,191 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Cadder Wharf
Bishopbriggs, East Dunbartonshire · Forth & Clyde Canal
£2,389 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Kingfisher Marina
Yardley Gobion, Northamptonshire · Grand Union Canal
£2,394 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Willows Marina
Weedon, Northamptonshire · Grand Union Canal
£2,400 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Berths available
Monk Meadow
Hempsted, Gloucestershire · Gloucester & Sharpness Canal
£2,474 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Berths available
Aspley Wharf Marina
Huddersfield, West Yorkshire · Huddersfield Broad and Narrow Canals
£2,497 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Berths available
Buckby Top Lock L1 Leisure
Daventry, Northamptonshire · Grand Union Canal
£2,606 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Lockside Marina
Chelmsford, Essex · Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation
£2,710 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Berths available
Sutton Cheney Wharf
Hinckley, Leicestershire · Ashby Canal
£2,723 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Berths available
Selby Boat Centre
Selby, North Yorkshire · Selby Canal
£2,750 a year for a 57ft narrowboat (from)
Canals
Berths available
Tibberton Towpath L1 Leisure
Worcester, Worcestershire · Worcester & Birmingham Canal
£2,791 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Panmure Wharf, Firhill
Glasgow, Glasgow City · Forth & Clyde Canal
£2,794 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Berths available
Enslow Wharf
Enslow, Oxfordshire · Oxford Canal
£2,802 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Berths available
Dunhampstead L1 Leisure
Droitwich, Worcestershire · Worcester & Birmingham Canal
£2,850 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Stenson Marina
Barrow-on-Trent, Derbyshire · Trent & Mersey Canal
£2,910 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Berths available
Cuckoo Wharf Residential Moorings
Birmingham, West Midlands · Birmingham & Fazeley Canal
£2,914 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Apperley Bridge Marina
Bradford, West Yorkshire · Leeds & Liverpool Canal
£2,959 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Berths available
Stourport Wide-Beam Basin L1 Leisure
Stourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire · Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal
£2,964 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Berths available
Bugbrooke Marina
Bugbrooke, Northamptonshire · Grand Union Canal
£2,964 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Heyford Fields Marina
Nether Heyford, Northamptonshire · Grand Union Canal
£3,020 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Kirkintilloch Linear
Kirkintilloch, East Dunbartonshire · Forth & Clyde Canal
£3,042 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Auchinstarry Marina
Kilsyth, North Lanarkshire · Forth & Clyde Canal
£3,054 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
The Falkirk Wheel Basin
Falkirk, Falkirk · Forth & Clyde Canal
£3,054 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Berths available
Hardingswood Junction Moorings
Kidsgrove, Staffordshire · Trent & Mersey Canal
£3,090 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Applecross Claypits
Glasgow, Glasgow City · Forth & Clyde Canal
£3,104 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Speirs Wharf
Glasgow, Glasgow City · Forth & Clyde Canal
£3,104 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation
Chelmsford, Essex · Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation
£3,120 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Berths available
Braunston Marina
Braunston, Northamptonshire · Grand Union Canal
£3,170 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Berths available
Lowsonford L1 Leisure
Lowsonford, Warwickshire · South Stratford Canal
£3,183 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Oakfield Bridge
Ardrishaig, Argyll and Bute · Crinan Canal
£3,185 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Heritage Marina
Scholar Green, Cheshire · Macclesfield Canal
£3,221 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Nantwich Canal Centre
Nantwich, Cheshire · Shropshire Union Canal
£3,243 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Springwood Haven Marina
Nuneaton, Warwickshire · Coventry Canal
£3,243 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Berths available
Venetian Marina
Cholmondeston, Cheshire · Shropshire Union Canal (Middlewich Branch)
£3,254 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Berths available
Cowley North (Towpath)
Uxbridge, Greater London · Grand Union Canal
£3,260 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Applecross Wharf
Glasgow, Glasgow City · Forth & Clyde Canal
£3,352 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Braehead, Linlithgow
Linlithgow, West Lothian · Union Canal
£3,352 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Causewayend
Broxburn, West Lothian · Union Canal
£3,352 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Swanley Bridge Marina
Nantwich, Cheshire · Llangollen Canal
£3,365 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Droitwich Spa Marina
Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire · Droitwich Junction Canal
£3,390 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
New Mills Marina
New Mills, Derbyshire · Peak Forest Canal
£3,434 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Temple Wharf - Lock 27
Glasgow, Glasgow City · Forth & Clyde Canal
£3,477 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Cairnbaan Lock 5
Cairnbaan, Argyll and Bute · Crinan Canal
£3,518 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Gayton Marina
Blisworth, Northamptonshire · Grand Union Canal
£3,565 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Southbank Marina
Kirkintilloch, East Dunbartonshire · Forth & Clyde Canal
£3,595 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Whitchurch Marina
Whitchurch, Shropshire · Llangollen Canal
£3,597 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Berths available
Tardebigge L1 Leisure
Bromsgrove, Worcestershire · Worcester & Birmingham Canal
£3,601 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Newbury Manor Marina
Newbury, Berkshire · Kennet & Avon Canal
£3,639 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Kings Orchard Marina
Huddlesford, Staffordshire · Coventry Canal
£3,671 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Brayford Pool Marina
Lincoln, Lincolnshire · Brayford Pool, where the River Witham meets the Fossdyke Canal
£3,682 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Aston Marina
Stone, Staffordshire · Trent & Mersey Canal
£3,725 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Linlithgow East
Linlithgow, West Lothian · Union Canal
£3,725 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Goytre Wharf Marina
Goytre, Gwent · Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal
£3,742 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Ardrishaig Basin
Ardrishaig, Argyll and Bute · Crinan Canal
£3,761 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Mercia Marina
Willington, Derbyshire · Trent & Mersey Canal
£3,803 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Waiting list
Lee Valley Marina, Rye House
Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire · River Lee Navigation
£3,877 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Staniland Marina
Thorne, South Yorkshire · Stainforth & Keadby Canal
£3,995 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Overwater Marina
Audlem, Cheshire · Shropshire Union Canal
£3,998 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Springfield Basin Moorings
Chelmsford, Essex · Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation
£4,129 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Blackwater Meadow Marina
Ellesmere, Shropshire · Llangollen Canal
£4,158 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Hilperton Marina
Trowbridge, Wiltshire · Kennet & Avon Canal
£4,158 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Dochgarroch East
Dochgarroch, Highland · Caledonian Canal
£4,181 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Anderton Marina
Anderton, Cheshire · Trent & Mersey Canal
£4,247 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Berths available
Avoncliff East L1 Leisure
Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire · Kennet & Avon Canal
£4,273 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Banavie
Banavie, Highland · Caledonian Canal
£4,356 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Alvechurch Marina
Alvechurch, Worcestershire · Worcester & Birmingham Canal
£4,460 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Ardrishaig Basin Dummy Lock
Ardrishaig, Argyll and Bute · Crinan Canal
£4,513 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Aqueduct Marina
Church Minshull, Cheshire · Shropshire Union Canal (Middlewich Branch)
£4,536 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Berths available
Memory Lane
Leicester, Leicestershire · Grand Union Canal
£4,560 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Worcester Marina
Worcester, Worcestershire · Worcester & Birmingham Canal
£4,574 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Grove Lock Marina
Leighton Buzzard, Buckinghamshire · Grand Union Canal
£4,603 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Burton Waters Marina
Lincoln, Lincolnshire · Fossdyke Navigation
£4,690 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Fort Augustus
Fort Augustus, Highland · Caledonian Canal
£4,704 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Winchburgh Marina
Winchburgh, West Lothian · Union Canal
£4,895 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Ratho Marina
Ratho, City of Edinburgh · Union Canal
£4,905 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Caley Marina
Inverness, Highland · Caledonian Canal
£5,003 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Leamington Wharf East
Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh · Union Canal
£5,898 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Viewforth Quay
Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh · Union Canal
£7,450 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Berths available
Brentford Island
Brentford, Greater London · Grand Union Canal
£8,183 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Lochrin Basin
Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh · Union Canal
£8,633 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Berths available
Engineers Wharf Residential L1
Northolt, Greater London · Grand Union Canal (Paddington Arm)
£8,979 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Compared: prices for a 57ft narrowboat
| Site | Where | A year, 57ft narrowboat | Per metre a year | Space |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kelpies Marina | Falkirk, Forth & Clyde Canal | £273 | £15.70 | Not reported |
| Bosworth Marina | Market Bosworth, Ashby Canal | £463 | £26.66 | Berths available |
| Albert Basin | Newry, Newry Ship Canal | £527 | £30.34 | Not reported |
| Lady Bee Marina | Southwick, Shoreham Ship Canal | £543 | £31.26 | Not reported |
| Lichfield Cruising Club | Lichfield, Wyrley & Essington Canal and Coventry Canal | £1,283 | £73.83 | Berths available |
| Barby Moorings | Barby, Oxford Canal | £1,440 | £82.90 | Not reported |
| Bill Fen Marina | Ramsey, Middle Level Navigations | £1,557 | £89.62 | Berths available |
| Reddingmuirhead | Reddingmuirhead, Union Canal | £1,565 | £90.12 | Not reported |
| Shire Cruisers, Sowerby Bridge | Sowerby Bridge, Calder & Hebble Navigation | £1,640 | £94.40 | Berths available |
| Shepley Bridge Marina | Mirfield, Huddersfield Broad Canal | £1,770 | £101.90 | Not reported |
| The Falkirk Wheel Linear | Falkirk, Forth & Clyde Canal | £1,798 | £103.49 | Not reported |
| Mayroyd Moorings | Hebden Bridge, Rochdale Canal | £1,929 | £111.05 | Waiting list |
| Lock 16 Moorings | Falkirk, Forth & Clyde Canal | £1,936 | £111.45 | Not reported |
| Talbot Wharf | Market Drayton, Shropshire Union Canal | £1,984 | £114.20 | Full |
| Savile Town Wharf | Dewsbury, Calder & Hebble Navigation | £2,021 | £116.33 | Not reported |
| Dowley Gap L1 | Bingley, Leeds & Liverpool Canal | £2,084 | £119.98 | Berths available |
| Bank Newton Lock 36 | Skipton, Leeds & Liverpool Canal | £2,140 | £123.18 | Berths available |
| Burscough Bridge L1 Leisure | Burscough, Leeds & Liverpool Canal | £2,191 | £126.14 | Berths available |
| Cadder Wharf | Bishopbriggs, Forth & Clyde Canal | £2,389 | £137.52 | Not reported |
| Kingfisher Marina | Yardley Gobion, Grand Union Canal | £2,394 | £137.82 | Not reported |
| Willows Marina | Weedon, Grand Union Canal | £2,400 | £138.17 | Not reported |
| Monk Meadow | Hempsted, Gloucester & Sharpness Canal | £2,474 | £142.43 | Berths available |
| Aspley Wharf Marina | Huddersfield, Huddersfield Broad and Narrow Canals | £2,497 | £143.73 | Berths available |
| Buckby Top Lock L1 Leisure | Daventry, Grand Union Canal | £2,606 | £150.05 | Berths available |
| Lockside Marina | Chelmsford, Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation | £2,710 | £156 | Not reported |
| Sutton Cheney Wharf | Hinckley, Ashby Canal | £2,723 | £156.77 | Berths available |
| Selby Boat Centre | Selby, Selby Canal | from £2,750 | £158.32 | Berths available |
| Tibberton Towpath L1 Leisure | Worcester, Worcester & Birmingham Canal | £2,791 | £160.67 | Berths available |
| Panmure Wharf, Firhill | Glasgow, Forth & Clyde Canal | £2,794 | £160.85 | Not reported |
| Enslow Wharf | Enslow, Oxford Canal | £2,802 | £161.31 | Berths available |
| Dunhampstead L1 Leisure | Droitwich, Worcester & Birmingham Canal | £2,850 | £164.10 | Berths available |
| Stenson Marina | Barrow-on-Trent, Trent & Mersey Canal | £2,910 | £167.53 | Not reported |
| Cuckoo Wharf Residential Moorings | Birmingham, Birmingham & Fazeley Canal | £2,914 | £167.75 | Berths available |
| Apperley Bridge Marina | Bradford, Leeds & Liverpool Canal | £2,959 | £170.36 | Not reported |
| Stourport Wide-Beam Basin L1 Leisure | Stourport-on-Severn, Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal | £2,964 | £170.62 | Berths available |
| Bugbrooke Marina | Bugbrooke, Grand Union Canal | £2,964 | £170.64 | Berths available |
| Heyford Fields Marina | Nether Heyford, Grand Union Canal | £3,020 | £173.84 | Not reported |
| Kirkintilloch Linear | Kirkintilloch, Forth & Clyde Canal | £3,042 | £175.14 | Not reported |
| Auchinstarry Marina | Kilsyth, Forth & Clyde Canal | £3,054 | £175.80 | Not reported |
| The Falkirk Wheel Basin | Falkirk, Forth & Clyde Canal | £3,054 | £175.80 | Not reported |
From each site's published tariff. "–" means the site doesn't say. Prices change; confirm with the site.
Questions
How much does a mooring for a 57ft narrowboat cost in the UK?
Across the 98 cheapest canal moorings and marinas here that publish a price, a 57ft narrowboat costs from £273 a year at Kelpies Marina to £8,979 a year at Engineers Wharf Residential L1. The middle figure is £3,243 a year. Check what each includes: electricity, water and VAT vary.
What are the cheapest cheapest canal moorings and marinas in the UK?
For a 57ft narrowboat, Kelpies Marina is cheapest at £273 a year in Falkirk.
Which cheapest canal moorings and marinas in the UK have space now?
28 of the 98 told us in the last six weeks they have space: Bosworth Marina, Lichfield Cruising Club, Bill Fen Marina, Shire Cruisers, Sowerby Bridge, Dowley Gap L1, Bank Newton Lock 36, Burscough Bridge L1 Leisure, Monk Meadow and 20 more. Each page shows the date they told us and what they have.
Can you live aboard at cheapest canal moorings and marinas in the UK?
33 of the 98 say you can: Kelpies Marina (liveaboards allowed), Shire Cruisers, Sowerby Bridge (liveaboards allowed), Mayroyd Moorings (residential moorings with planning consent), Selby Boat Centre (liveaboards allowed), Panmure Wharf, Firhill (liveaboards allowed), Auchinstarry Marina (residential moorings with planning consent), Applecross Claypits (residential moorings with planning consent), Speirs Wharf (residential moorings with planning consent) and 25 more. Living aboard can need planning consent and council tax; ask each site about its terms.
Do I need a licence as well as a mooring?
On top of the mooring fee: of these, 59 need a Canal & River Trust boat licence, 30 need a Scottish Canals licence and 7 need the navigation's own licence. Coastal marinas usually need none.
Broader
Cheapest canal moorings and marinas by county
Run one of these sites? Tell boaters what you have free in a minute, no account needed. Update your availability