Rivers
Berths available
Bishop Meadow L1
Loughborough, Leicestershire · River Soar
£3,272 a year for a 10m cruiser
Narrowboat moorings for boats over 15m
Places that take narrowboats. Up to 7ft (2.13m) beam. Marinas and harbours that say they take boats over 15m (50ft): a stated maximum length, or a published price for a boat that size. Canal sites that only take narrowboats are left out; see 70ft narrowboat moorings for those.
46 sites · 12 with space now · 2 with a waiting list · typical £2,627 a year for a 15m boat (£273–£7,455 across 25 published tariffs)
At a glance
- 46 sites: 21 on canals, 24 on rivers and 1 on an estuary.
- 12 of the 46 told us in the last six weeks they have space: Bishop Meadow L1, Cathedral Marina, Hazlemere Marina, Lichfield Cruising Club, Mancetter Marina, Middle Nene Cruising Club and 6 more.
- Keeping a waiting list: Fox Narrowboats Marina and Sileby Mill Mooring Basin.
- For a 15m boat, published prices run from £273 a year (Kelpies Marina) to £7,455 a year (Lochrin Basin); the middle of 25 is £2,627 a year.
- Longest boat taken: 38m (125ft) at Blackwall Basin Moorings.
- Of the 46, 33 have electric hook-up, 27 a pump-out, 19 diesel, 5 a boat hoist and 4 visitor berths.
- 18 of the 46 allow liveaboards, outright or by arrangement.
- Groups running more than one: Canal & River Trust (6), National Trust (4) and Scottish Canals (12).
Rivers
Berths available
Cathedral Marina
Ely, Cambridgeshire · River Great Ouse
Prices on request
Canals
Berths available
Hazlemere Marina
Waltham Abbey, Essex · Lee Navigation
Prices not published
Canals
Berths available
Lichfield Cruising Club
Lichfield, Staffordshire · Wyrley & Essington Canal and Coventry Canal
£1,283 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Berths available
Mancetter Marina
Atherstone, Warwickshire · Coventry Canal
Prices on request
Rivers
Berths available
Middle Nene Cruising Club
Titchmarsh, Northamptonshire · River Nene
Prices on request
Canals
Berths available
Monk Meadow
Hempsted, Gloucestershire · Gloucester & Sharpness Canal
£2,474 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Rivers
Berths available
National Trust Stonebridge Wharf Moorings
Shalford, Surrey · River Wey Navigation
Prices not published
Canals
Berths available
Selby Boat Centre
Selby, North Yorkshire · Selby Canal
£2,750 a year for a 57ft narrowboat (from)
Rivers
Berths available
Shardlow Marina
Shardlow, Derbyshire · River Trent
£1,242 a year for a 10m cruiser
Rivers
Berths available
Upper Large Moorings
Tilehurst, Berkshire · River Thames
Prices not published
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
Canals
Full
Abbot's Wharf L1
London, Greater London · Limehouse Cut
Prices not published
Estuaries & tidal rivers
Full
Blackwall Basin Moorings
London, Greater London · Blackwall Basin
Prices on request
Canals
Full
Market Harborough Towpath L1 Leisure
Market Harborough, Leicestershire · Grand Union Canal, Market Harborough Arm
Prices not published
Rivers
Allington Marina
Maidstone, Kent · River Medway
£3,691 a year for a 10m cruiser
Canals
Auchinstarry Marina
Kilsyth, North Lanarkshire · Forth & Clyde Canal
£3,054 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Cadder Wharf
Bishopbriggs, East Dunbartonshire · Forth & Clyde Canal
£2,389 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation
Chelmsford, Essex · Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation
£3,120 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Kelpies Marina
Falkirk, Falkirk · Forth & Clyde Canal
£273 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Kirkintilloch Linear
Kirkintilloch, East Dunbartonshire · Forth & Clyde Canal
£3,042 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Rivers
Knightsbridge Caravan & Marina Park
March, Cambridgeshire · River Nene Old Course
£1,520 a year for a 10m cruiser
Rivers
Lilford Marina
Oundle, Northamptonshire · River Nene
£2,250 a year for a 10m cruiser
Canals
Lochrin Basin
Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh · Union Canal
£8,633 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Lock 16 Moorings
Falkirk, Falkirk · Forth & Clyde Canal
£1,936 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Rivers
Pyrford Marina
Pyrford, Surrey · River Wey Navigation
£3,729 a year for a 10m cruiser
Canals
Ratho Marina
Ratho, City of Edinburgh · Union Canal
£4,905 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Reddingmuirhead
Reddingmuirhead, Falkirk · Union Canal
£1,565 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Rivers
Saltford Marina
Saltford, Somerset · River Avon
£2,696 a year for a 10m cruiser
Canals
Southbank Marina
Kirkintilloch, East Dunbartonshire · Forth & Clyde Canal
£3,595 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Speirs Wharf
Glasgow, Glasgow City · Forth & Clyde Canal
£3,104 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Staniland Marina
Thorne, South Yorkshire · Stainforth & Keadby Canal
£3,995 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
The Falkirk Wheel Linear
Falkirk, Falkirk · Forth & Clyde Canal
£1,798 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Rivers
Upware Marina
Upware, Cambridgeshire · River Cam
£1,419 a year for a 10m cruiser
Rivers
Avon View Marina
Pershore, Worcestershire · River Avon
Prices on request
Canals
Harrison Park
Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh · 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
Rivers
Oundle Marina Village
Oundle, Northamptonshire · River Nene
Prices not published
Rivers
Sawley Waterside & Marina
Long Eaton, Leicestershire · River Trent
Prices on request
Rivers
Woodford Riverside Marina
Woodford, Northamptonshire · River Nene
Prices on request
Rivers
Wyre Marina Boatyard
Pershore, Worcestershire · River Avon
Prices on request
Compared: prices for a 15m boat
| Site | Where | A year, 15m boat | Longest boat | Widest beam | Deepest draught | Space |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bishop Meadow L1 | Loughborough, River Soar | £3,272 | 21.4m (70ft) | – | – | Berths available |
| Cathedral Marina | Ely, River Great Ouse | On request | 21.3m (70ft) | – | – | Berths available |
| Hazlemere Marina | Waltham Abbey, Lee Navigation | – | 18.3m (60ft) | – | – | Berths available |
| Lichfield Cruising Club | Lichfield, Wyrley & Essington Canal and Coventry Canal | £1,125 | 17.4m (57ft) | – | – | Berths available |
| Mancetter Marina | Atherstone, Coventry Canal | On request | 33.5m (110ft) | – | – | Berths available |
| Middle Nene Cruising Club | Titchmarsh, River Nene | On request | 15.2m (50ft) | – | – | Berths available |
| Monk Meadow | Hempsted, Gloucester & Sharpness Canal | £2,474 | 20m (66ft) | – | – | Berths available |
| National Trust Stonebridge Wharf Moorings | Shalford, River Wey Navigation | – | 21.9m (72ft) | – | – | Berths available |
| Selby Boat Centre | Selby, Selby Canal | from £2,750 | 18.9m (62ft) | – | – | Berths available |
| Shardlow Marina | Shardlow, River Trent | £1,729 | 21.3m (70ft) | – | – | Berths available |
| Upper Large Moorings | Tilehurst, River Thames | – | 21.3m (70ft) | – | – | Berths available |
| Willow Moorings | Kegworth, River Soar | from £2,700 | 21.3m (70ft) | – | – | Berths available |
| Fox Narrowboats Marina | March, Middle Level Navigations | £1,629 | 21.3m (70ft) | – | – | Waiting list |
| Sileby Mill Mooring Basin | Sileby, River Soar | On request | 21.9m (72ft) | – | – | Waiting list |
| Abbot's Wharf L1 | London, Limehouse Cut | – | 18.5m (61ft) | – | – | Full |
| Blackwall Basin Moorings | London, Blackwall Basin | On request | 38m (125ft) | – | – | Full |
| Market Harborough Towpath L1 Leisure | Market Harborough, Grand Union Canal, Market Harborough Arm | – | 18.5m (61ft) | – | – | Full |
| Allington Marina | Maidstone, River Medway | £5,537 | 19.5m (64ft) | – | – | Not reported |
| Auchinstarry Marina | Kilsyth, Forth & Clyde Canal | £2,637 | 19m (62ft) | 3.5m | 1.6m | Not reported |
| Cadder Wharf | Bishopbriggs, Forth & Clyde Canal | £2,063 | 19m (62ft) | – | – | Not reported |
| Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation | Chelmsford, Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation | £2,695 | 17.4m (57ft) | – | – | Not reported |
| Kelpies Marina | Falkirk, Forth & Clyde Canal | £273 | 19m (62ft) | – | – | Not reported |
| Kirkintilloch Linear | Kirkintilloch, Forth & Clyde Canal | £2,627 | 19m (62ft) | – | – | Not reported |
| Knightsbridge Caravan & Marina Park | March, River Nene Old Course | £2,043 | 19.8m (65ft) | – | – | Not reported |
| Lilford Marina | Oundle, River Nene | £2,250 | 18m (59ft) | – | – | Not reported |
| Lochrin Basin | Edinburgh, Union Canal | £7,455 | 19m (62ft) | – | – | Not reported |
| Lock 16 Moorings | Falkirk, Forth & Clyde Canal | £1,672 | 19m (62ft) | – | – | Not reported |
| Pyrford Marina | Pyrford, River Wey Navigation | £5,593 | 21.3m (70ft) | – | – | Not reported |
| Ratho Marina | Ratho, Union Canal | – | 19m (62ft) | – | – | Not reported |
| Reddingmuirhead | Reddingmuirhead, Union Canal | £1,352 | 19m (62ft) | – | – | Not reported |
| Saltford Marina | Saltford, River Avon | £4,085 | 21.9m (72ft) | – | – | Not reported |
| Southbank Marina | Kirkintilloch, Forth & Clyde Canal | £3,105 | 19m (62ft) | – | – | Not reported |
| Speirs Wharf | Glasgow, Forth & Clyde Canal | £3,104 | 19m (62ft) | – | – | Not reported |
| Staniland Marina | Thorne, Stainforth & Keadby Canal | £3,450 | 18.3m (60ft) | – | – | Not reported |
| The Falkirk Wheel Linear | Falkirk, Forth & Clyde Canal | £1,552 | 19m (62ft) | – | – | Not reported |
| Upware Marina | Upware, River Cam | £2,150 | 19.8m (65ft) | – | – | Not reported |
| Avon View Marina | Pershore, River Avon | On request | 21m (69ft) | – | – | Not reported |
| Harrison Park | Edinburgh, Union Canal | – | 19m (62ft) | – | – | Not reported |
| National Trust Addlestone Moorings | Addlestone, River Wey Navigation | – | 21.9m (72ft) | – | – | Not reported |
| National Trust Godalming Wharf Moorings | Godalming, Godalming Navigation | – | 21.9m (72ft) | – | – | 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 15m boat cost in the UK?
Across the 25 narrowboat moorings for boats over 15m here that publish a price, a 15m boat costs from £273 a year at Kelpies Marina to £7,455 a year at Lochrin Basin. The middle figure is £2,627 a year. Check what each includes: electricity, water and VAT vary.
What are the cheapest narrowboat moorings for boats over 15m in the UK?
For a 15m boat, Kelpies Marina is cheapest at £273 a year in Falkirk.
Which narrowboat moorings for boats over 15m in the UK have space now?
12 of the 46 told us in the last six weeks they have space: Bishop Meadow L1, Cathedral Marina, Hazlemere Marina, Lichfield Cruising Club, Mancetter Marina, Middle Nene Cruising Club, Monk Meadow, 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 15m (49ft) in the UK?
All 46 say they take a boat that long. Stated maximums: Bishop Meadow L1 (21.4m (70ft)), Cathedral Marina (21.3m (70ft)), Hazlemere Marina (18.3m (60ft)), Lichfield Cruising Club (17.4m (57ft)), Mancetter Marina (33.5m (110ft)), Middle Nene Cruising Club (15.2m (50ft)), Monk Meadow (20m (66ft)), National Trust Stonebridge Wharf Moorings (21.9m (72ft)) and 38 more. Check beam and draught too.
Can you live aboard at narrowboat moorings for boats over 15m in the UK?
18 of the 46 say you can: Bishop Meadow L1 (residential moorings with planning consent), Hazlemere Marina (residential moorings with planning consent), Selby Boat Centre (liveaboards allowed), Upper Large Moorings (liveaboards allowed), Sileby Mill Mooring Basin (liveaboards allowed), Abbot's Wharf L1 (residential moorings with planning consent), Blackwall Basin Moorings (residential moorings with planning consent), Auchinstarry Marina (residential moorings with planning consent) and 10 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, 10 need a Canal & River Trust boat licence, 11 need Environment Agency registration (Thames, Medway, Anglian waterways), 12 need a Scottish Canals licence, 3 need an Avon Navigation Trust licence and 9 need the navigation's own licence. Coastal marinas usually need none.
Broader
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