Rivers
Berths available
Bishop Meadow L1
Loughborough, Leicestershire · River Soar
£3,272 a year for a 10m cruiser
Walk-ashore berths for 70ft narrowboats in England
Berths you step off onto a pontoon, quay or bank: no tender, no rowing out to a buoy. Easier for loading, for a dog, and for getting aboard after dark. Canal marinas and moorings that take a full-length 70ft (21.3m) narrowboat. Many marinas stop at 60ft or 62ft, and some canals can't take a 70ft boat at all.
44 sites · 12 with space now · 2 with a waiting list · typical £4,040 a year for a 70ft narrowboat (£463–£8,979 across 23 published tariffs)
At a glance
- 44 sites: 28 on canals, 15 on rivers and 1 on an estuary.
- 12 of the 44 told us in the last six weeks they have space: Bishop Meadow L1, Bosworth Marina, Cathedral Marina, Engineers Wharf Residential L1, Kingswood Basin, Lowsonford L1 Leisure and 6 more.
- Keeping a waiting list: Fox Narrowboats Marina and Sileby Mill Mooring Basin.
- For a 70ft narrowboat, published prices run from £463 a year (Bosworth Marina) to £8,979 a year (Engineers Wharf Residential L1); the middle of 23 is £4,040 a year.
- Longest boat taken: 38m (125ft) at Blackwall Basin Moorings.
- Of the 44, 36 have electric hook-up, 30 a pump-out, 24 diesel, 3 a boat hoist and 7 visitor berths.
- 12 of the 44 allow liveaboards, outright or by arrangement.
- Groups running more than one: ABC Leisure Group (4), Canal & River Trust (7), Lakeland Leisure Estates (2) and National Trust (4).
Canals
Berths available
Bosworth Marina
Market Bosworth, Leicestershire · Ashby Canal
£463 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Rivers
Berths available
Cathedral Marina
Ely, Cambridgeshire · River Great Ouse
Prices on request
Canals
Berths available
Engineers Wharf Residential L1
Northolt, Greater London · Grand Union Canal (Paddington Arm)
£8,979 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Berths available
Kingswood Basin
Lapworth, Warwickshire · North Stratford Canal
Prices not published
Canals
Berths available
Lowsonford L1 Leisure
Lowsonford, Warwickshire · South Stratford Canal
£3,183 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Berths available
Mancetter Marina
Atherstone, Warwickshire · Coventry Canal
Prices on request
Rivers
Berths available
National Trust Stonebridge Wharf Moorings
Shalford, Surrey · River Wey Navigation
Prices not published
Rivers
Berths available
Shardlow Marina
Shardlow, Derbyshire · River Trent
£1,242 a year for a 10m cruiser
Canals
Berths available
Tibberton Towpath L1 Leisure
Worcester, Worcestershire · Worcester & Birmingham Canal
£2,791 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
Rivers
Berths available
Willow Moorings
Kegworth, Leicestershire · River Soar
£1,782 a year for a 10m cruiser (from)
Rivers
Waiting list
Fox Narrowboats Marina
March, Cambridgeshire · Middle Level Navigations
£1,079 a year for a 10m cruiser
Rivers
Waiting list
Sileby Mill Mooring Basin
Sileby, Leicestershire · River Soar
Prices on request
Estuaries & tidal rivers
Full
Blackwall Basin Moorings
London, Greater London · Blackwall Basin
Prices on request
Canals
Full
Stoke Bruerne (Residential) L1
Stoke Bruerne, Northamptonshire · Grand Union Canal
Prices not published
Canals
Alvechurch Marina
Alvechurch, Worcestershire · Worcester & Birmingham Canal
£4,460 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
Aston Marina
Stone, Staffordshire · Trent & Mersey Canal
£3,725 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Barby Moorings
Barby, Northamptonshire · Oxford Canal
£1,440 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
Heyford Fields Marina
Nether Heyford, Northamptonshire · Grand Union Canal
£3,020 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Hilperton Marina
Trowbridge, Wiltshire · Kennet & Avon Canal
£4,158 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Kings Orchard Marina
Huddlesford, Staffordshire · Coventry Canal
£3,671 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Overwater Marina
Audlem, Cheshire · Shropshire Union Canal
£3,998 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Rivers
Pyrford Marina
Pyrford, Surrey · River Wey Navigation
£3,729 a year for a 10m cruiser
Rivers
Saltford Marina
Saltford, Somerset · River Avon
£2,696 a year for a 10m cruiser
Canals
Springwood Haven Marina
Nuneaton, Warwickshire · Coventry Canal
£3,243 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Swanley Bridge Marina
Nantwich, Cheshire · Llangollen Canal
£3,365 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Worcester Marina
Worcester, Worcestershire · Worcester & Birmingham Canal
£4,574 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Great Haywood Marina
Great Haywood, Staffordshire · Trent & Mersey Canal
Prices on request
Canals
High Onn Wharf
Church Eaton, Staffordshire · Shropshire Union Canal
Prices not published
Rivers
National Trust Addlestone Moorings
Addlestone, Surrey · River Wey Navigation
Prices not published
Rivers
National Trust Godalming Wharf Moorings
Godalming, Surrey · Godalming Navigation
Prices not published
Rivers
National Trust Papercourt Lock Moorings
Ripley, Surrey · River Wey Navigation
Prices not published
Rivers
Newbury Marina
Newbury, Berkshire · Kennet Navigation
Prices on request
Canals
North Kilworth Wharf
North Kilworth, Leicestershire · Grand Union Canal, Leicester Section
Prices on request
Canals
Rose Narrowboats
Stretton under Fosse, Warwickshire · Oxford Canal
Prices not published
Rivers
Sawley Waterside & Marina
Long Eaton, Leicestershire · River Trent
Prices on request
Canals
Sovereign Wharf
Banbury, Oxfordshire · Oxford Canal
Prices not published
Canals
Tattenhall Marina
Tattenhall, Cheshire · Shropshire Union Canal
Prices on request
Canals
Thrupp Wharf Marina
Milton Keynes, Northamptonshire · Grand Union Canal
Prices on request
Rivers
Woodford Riverside Marina
Woodford, Northamptonshire · River Nene
Prices on request
Canals
Yelvertoft Marina
Yelvertoft, Northamptonshire · Grand Union Canal (Leicester Line)
Prices on request
Compared: prices for a 70ft narrowboat
| Site | Where | A year, 70ft narrowboat | Berths | Longest boat | Space |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bishop Meadow L1 | Loughborough, River Soar | £3,272 | linear moorings | 21.4m (70ft) | Berths available |
| Bosworth Marina | Market Bosworth, Ashby Canal | £463 | pontoon berths, linear moorings | 21.3m (70ft) | Berths available |
| Cathedral Marina | Ely, River Great Ouse | On request | pontoon berths, linear moorings | 21.3m (70ft) | Berths available |
| Engineers Wharf Residential L1 | Northolt, Grand Union Canal (Paddington Arm) | £8,979 | pontoon berths, quay and harbour wall berths | 21.4m (70ft) | Berths available |
| Kingswood Basin | Lapworth, North Stratford Canal | – | pontoon berths | 21.4m (70ft) | Berths available |
| Lowsonford L1 Leisure | Lowsonford, South Stratford Canal | £3,416 | linear moorings | 22m (72ft) | Berths available |
| Mancetter Marina | Atherstone, Coventry Canal | On request | pontoon berths, linear moorings | 33.5m (110ft) | Berths available |
| National Trust Stonebridge Wharf Moorings | Shalford, River Wey Navigation | – | linear moorings | 21.9m (72ft) | Berths available |
| Shardlow Marina | Shardlow, River Trent | £2,331 | pontoon berths, linear moorings | 21.3m (70ft) | Berths available |
| Tibberton Towpath L1 Leisure | Worcester, Worcester & Birmingham Canal | £2,791 | linear moorings | 22m (72ft) | Berths available |
| Venetian Marina | Cholmondeston, Shropshire Union Canal (Middlewich Branch) | £4,054 | pontoon berths, linear moorings | 21.3m (70ft) | Berths available |
| Willow Moorings | Kegworth, River Soar | from £3,834 | linear moorings | 21.3m (70ft) | Berths available |
| Fox Narrowboats Marina | March, Middle Level Navigations | £2,289 | pontoon berths | 21.3m (70ft) | Waiting list |
| Sileby Mill Mooring Basin | Sileby, River Soar | On request | pontoon berths, linear moorings | 21.9m (72ft) | Waiting list |
| Blackwall Basin Moorings | London, Blackwall Basin | On request | pontoon berths, pile moorings | 38m (125ft) | Full |
| Stoke Bruerne (Residential) L1 | Stoke Bruerne, Grand Union Canal | – | pontoon berths | 21.8m (72ft) | Full |
| Alvechurch Marina | Alvechurch, Worcester & Birmingham Canal | £5,556 | pontoon berths | 21.3m (70ft) | Not reported |
| Aqueduct Marina | Church Minshull, Shropshire Union Canal (Middlewich Branch) | £5,268 | linear moorings, hard standing | 21.3m (70ft) | Not reported |
| Aston Marina | Stone, Trent & Mersey Canal | £4,345 | pontoon berths | 21.3m (70ft) | Not reported |
| Barby Moorings | Barby, Oxford Canal | £1,440 | pontoon berths, linear moorings | 21.9m (72ft) | Not reported |
| Droitwich Spa Marina | Droitwich Spa, Droitwich Junction Canal | £3,950 | pontoon berths | 21.3m (70ft) | Not reported |
| Heyford Fields Marina | Nether Heyford, Grand Union Canal | £3,327 | pontoon berths | 21.3m (70ft) | Not reported |
| Hilperton Marina | Trowbridge, Kennet & Avon Canal | £5,179 | pontoon berths | 21.3m (70ft) | Not reported |
| Kings Orchard Marina | Huddlesford, Coventry Canal | £4,572 | pontoon berths | 21.3m (70ft) | Not reported |
| Overwater Marina | Audlem, Shropshire Union Canal | £4,665 | pontoon berths | 21.3m (70ft) | Not reported |
| Pyrford Marina | Pyrford, River Wey Navigation | £7,957 | pontoon berths, linear moorings | 21.3m (70ft) | Not reported |
| Saltford Marina | Saltford, River Avon | £5,801 | pontoon berths, linear moorings | 21.9m (72ft) | Not reported |
| Springwood Haven Marina | Nuneaton, Coventry Canal | £4,040 | pontoon berths | 21.3m (70ft) | Not reported |
| Swanley Bridge Marina | Nantwich, Llangollen Canal | £3,859 | pontoon berths | 21.3m (70ft) | Not reported |
| Worcester Marina | Worcester, Worcester & Birmingham Canal | £5,698 | pontoon berths | 21.3m (70ft) | Not reported |
| Great Haywood Marina | Great Haywood, Trent & Mersey Canal | On request | pontoon berths | 21.3m (70ft) | Not reported |
| High Onn Wharf | Church Eaton, Shropshire Union Canal | – | pontoon berths | 21.9m (72ft) | Not reported |
| National Trust Addlestone Moorings | Addlestone, River Wey Navigation | – | linear moorings, pile moorings | 21.9m (72ft) | Not reported |
| National Trust Godalming Wharf Moorings | Godalming, Godalming Navigation | – | linear moorings, quay and harbour wall berths | 21.9m (72ft) | Not reported |
| National Trust Papercourt Lock Moorings | Ripley, River Wey Navigation | – | linear moorings | 21.9m (72ft) | Not reported |
| Newbury Marina | Newbury, Kennet Navigation | On request | pontoon berths, linear moorings | 21.3m (70ft) | Not reported |
| North Kilworth Wharf | North Kilworth, Grand Union Canal, Leicester Section | On request | linear moorings | 21.3m (70ft) | Not reported |
| Rose Narrowboats | Stretton under Fosse, Oxford Canal | – | pontoon berths | 21.3m (70ft) | Not reported |
| Sawley Waterside & Marina | Long Eaton, River Trent | On request | pontoon berths | 21.3m (70ft) | Not reported |
| Sovereign Wharf | Banbury, Oxford Canal | – | pontoon berths, linear moorings | 21.3m (70ft) | 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 70ft narrowboat cost in England?
Across the 23 walk-ashore berths for 70ft narrowboats here that publish a price, a 70ft narrowboat costs from £463 a year at Bosworth Marina to £8,979 a year at Engineers Wharf Residential L1. The middle figure is £4,040 a year. Check what each includes: electricity, water and VAT vary.
What are the cheapest walk-ashore berths for 70ft narrowboats in England?
For a 70ft narrowboat, Bosworth Marina is cheapest at £463 a year in Market Bosworth.
Which walk-ashore berths for 70ft narrowboats in England have space now?
12 of the 44 told us in the last six weeks they have space: Bishop Meadow L1, Bosworth Marina, Cathedral Marina, Engineers Wharf Residential L1, Kingswood Basin, Lowsonford L1 Leisure, Mancetter Marina, National Trust Stonebridge Wharf Moorings and 4 more. Each page shows the date they told us and what they have.
Where can I keep a boat over 21.3m (70ft) in England?
All 44 say they take a boat that long. Stated maximums: Bishop Meadow L1 (21.4m (70ft)), Bosworth Marina (21.3m (70ft)), Cathedral Marina (21.3m (70ft)), Engineers Wharf Residential L1 (21.4m (70ft)), Kingswood Basin (21.4m (70ft)), Lowsonford L1 Leisure (22m (72ft)), Mancetter Marina (33.5m (110ft)), National Trust Stonebridge Wharf Moorings (21.9m (72ft)) and 36 more. Check beam and draught too.
Can you live aboard at walk-ashore berths for 70ft narrowboats in England?
12 of the 44 say you can: Bishop Meadow L1 (residential moorings with planning consent), Engineers Wharf Residential L1 (residential moorings with planning consent), Venetian Marina (liveaboard by arrangement), Sileby Mill Mooring Basin (liveaboards allowed), Blackwall Basin Moorings (residential moorings with planning consent), Stoke Bruerne (Residential) L1 (residential moorings with planning consent), Alvechurch Marina (liveaboard by arrangement), Kings Orchard Marina (liveaboard by arrangement) and 4 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, 31 need a Canal & River Trust boat licence, 5 need Environment Agency registration (Thames, Medway, Anglian waterways), 1 need an Avon Navigation Trust licence and 7 need the navigation's own licence. Coastal marinas usually need none.
Broader
Walk-ashore berths for 70ft narrowboats in England, by county
- Cheshire 5
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