Indigo Dream’s Rough Guide to Moorings!

Updated January 2012

There’s plenty of information about moorings – our trusty Nicholson’s and Pearson’s guides; local BW offices, Waterscape Boaters Guides and the sometimes informative BW totem poles. However it’s all very dry and doesn’t cover what people felt about a particular mooring spot – was there trouble? was it noisy? Was there dog-walking?

With this in mind, we thought we’d set up an information page dedicated to our experience of different mooring spots going back a year or so. Firstly it will be an aide-memoire for us as this blog is now our boat’s log but we hope it may be of use to others as well. Of course, the usual ‘health warnings’ apply – it’s based on our experiences – yours might be different! If you want to let us know what you though about different mooring spots then please post a comment – I’ll try to incorporate as many of your thoughts as I can into the page as well. As we’re revisiting many of the moorings, I’ve also added the year that we visited so you can get an idea of how up-to-date the information might be.

It’s in alphabetical order by canal and then by location. We’ll see how this works. If it’s too confusing then we’ll try the locations in order – that’ll be a job for a rainy day and a pile of Nicholson’s!

Note: The Grand Union is now divided by Branch/Arm so look out for Aylesbury Arm, Digbeth, Saltley Cut, Leicester Arm, Northampton Arm and Paddingon Branch/Arm.

Canal	Location	Facilities	Comment
Birmingham and Fazeley	Cambrian Wharf	Moorings rings; water point; waste disposal	Moored overnight – no problems; left boat unattended for a few days – no problems; Crowd noise from the pub opposite until 11.30pm; quiet overnight; good access to public transport; good access to shops and restaurants. 2009
Birmingham and Fazeley	Hopwas   By Dixon’s Bridge	None	Quiet; moored overnight –no problems; left boat unattended for a few days – no problems; Good food at the Tame Otter pub nearby. 2011
Birmingham and Fazeley	Fazeley Junction – Fazelely Mill Marina	Full marina facilities & chandlery.	Quiet; left boat unattended for a few days – no problems; friendly marina staff/denizens. 2011
Birmingham Canal Navigations – New Main Line	Sheepcote Street Bridge – Sherbourne Wharf side	Mooring Rings; covered by CCTV	Moored overnight – no problems; Quiet overnight – traffic noise daytime and evening. 2011
Chesterfield Canal	Clarborough (near the Gate pub)	Mooring rings	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; pricey pub food and poor service; good dog walking along towpath away from pub – road adjacent to pub. 2011
Chesterfield Canal	Kiveton Park	Mooring bollards – ‘end of navigation’ platform 24-hour; 14-day on towpath (shallow in places)	Very quiet; moored overnight – no problems; left boat unattended for several days – no problems; Good access to Kiveton Park train station’ great dog walking on towpath an field at the end of navigation (watch out for wild ponies!). 2011
Chesterfield Canal	Osberton Lock	Towpath mooring using last of lock bollards	Very quiet; moored overnight – no problems; beautiful spot – secure gate between mooring and road across lock – good for hounds; good dog walking along towpath. 2011
Chesterfield Canal	Retford   Hope Pole Pub (offside)	Mooring rings; waterpoint at moorings.	Quiet after 9pm; moored overnight – no problem; good pub – fine food and service; good parking but limi t dog walking nearby. 2011
Chesterfield Canal	Rhodesia   Above deep lock	None	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; decent pub grub at Lock-keeper pub nearby; Sainsbury’s and other shops nearby. 2011
Coventry Canal	Atherstone – by Bridge 41	None at mooring; services at Atherstone Top Lock.	Quiet; Moored overnight – no problems; Good Chinese takeaway (Atherston House) just off Coleshill Road   ; Good access to town centre and train station. 2009
Coventry Canal	Fradley Junction (just before the swingbridge)	Mooring rings; water point	Busy moorings around the junction; Lots of bustle around the pub and towpaths but quiet overnight; moored overnight – no problems; Good dog-walking in the woods across Junction Lock. 2009
Coventry Canal	Hartshill – by Bridge 29	Mooring rings/sheet piling	Quiet overnight; moored overnight – no problems; left boat unattended for several day – no problems; The Anchor pub – dog friendly, food variable but very friendly; Good dog-walking in field by the railway bridge. 2009
Dudley No 1 Canal	Waterfront Moorings- Merryhill	Mooring pontoons; water point; shore power; secure pontoon – key code access	Moored overnight; Nightclubs nearby – LOUD music until 2.30am. 2008
Dudley No 2 Canal	Hawne Basin	Full facilities within the basin; safe towpath moorings (no facilities) just outside the basin.	Moored overnight – no problems; quiet overnight; excellent dog-walking across the canal. 2009
Fossdyke Navigation	Saxilby   Between railway and footbridge	Mooring rings	Canal between road and railway line – some  traffic noise; moored overnight – no problems; good access to village centre and railway station – good connections to Lincoln; limited dog-walking on adjacent parkland; navigation is just wide enough to wind a 60 footer at the moorings. 2011
Fossdyke Navigation	Torksey   Beyond the long term moorings	Mooring bollards   Services at lock	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; good dog-walking along top of dyke; good teashop by the lock. 2011
Gloucester and Sharpness Canal	Gloucester Docks	48-hour moorings; mooring pontoons; waste disposal; mooring rings on the dock wall; shore power available on the dock wall. Water points on the branch by the BW museum; pump-out and water available on the other side of Llanthony Bridge.	Left boat unattended for several days by arrangement with BW (Tel. 01452 318000 or 310832). Fee payable for additional days. Very quiet mooring. Good access to town centre. Good dog walking on Castle Meads – over the lock at the end of the footbridge over the river. 2008
Gloucester and Sharpness Canal	Sharpness – towpath north of the marina	14-day moorings; No facilities at the mooring; Water, waste disposal and Elasan point (no pump out) past the marina entrance after the bridge.	14-day moorings; Left boat unattended for several days – mooring chain snapped, possibly by passing boat – recommend double springs; Stunning views and good dog-walking along towpath. Very very quiet. Hefty walk to civilisation – you’ll need food supplies on board! Bar available at the dockers club on the other side of the marina. 2008
Grand Union   Aylesbury Arm	Aylesbury Basin	Mooring rings; Water point; Pump-out; Waste disposal	Quiet; good access to town; moored overnight – no problems 2008
Grand Union   Digbeth Branch	Digbeth Branch   Aston Science Park	Bollards	Quiet; CCTV and security guard; Moored overnight – no problems. 2008
Grand Union   Leicester Section	Foxton Top Lock   Beyond Gumley Road Bridge	None   Shallow in places	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; left boat unattended for a few days – no problems; good dog-walking in adjacent fields; useful daytime BW car park and rubbish point nearby. 2011
Grand Union   Leicester Section	Watford Top Lock   Above the lock	Mooring bollards   Service point at lock	Extremely noisy – M1 overpass overhead; moored overnight – no problem; very good dog-walking in adjacent fields. 2011
Grand Union   Mainline	Berkhamstead Below lock 52	None	Quiet; good access to shops and restaurants; park nearby for dogs; moored overnight – no problems 2008
Grand Union   Mainline	Berkhamstead   Above Lock 53	None on towpath but water and rubbish disposal opposite	Moored overnight – no problems; left boat unattended for several days – no problems; some noise from football club opposite; very good access to supermarket  with useful parking;good dog-walking in park offside;  Boat Inn- dog friendly, ok food, good service. 2010
Grand Union   Mainline	Berkhamstead   Below Rising Sun Lock (Bridge 143)	None	Quiet; left boat unattended for several days. Street parking nearby. 2011
Grand Union   Mainline	Bourne End – above lock 60	None; sheet piling	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; Three Horseshoes pub across the swingbridge – very good food and dog-friendly. 2010
Grand Union   Mainline	Braunston – Boathouse pub aka Millhouse Hotel	Pub mooring offside – mooring rings	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; Pub food ok – slow service – not dog friendly – would not cook sausages for us to take back to dogs on the boat. 2011
Grand Union   Mainline	Brentford (above the gauging locks)	14-day moorings; Mooring rings; water; waste disposal; pump-out; BW showers and loos.	Surprisingly quiet; popular mooring spot so felt secure; moored overnight – no problems. Left boat unattended for a few days – no problems. 2009
Grand Union   Mainline	Bugbrooke Wharf – opposite the Wharf Inn (Bridge 36)	14-day mooring rings.	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; Left boat unattended for a few days – no problems; Good food at Wharf Inn. 2011
Grand Union   Mainline	Bulls Bridge   Offside outside of Tesco	Mooring rings   Water point nearby	Quiet when store shut; moored overnight – no problems; left boat unattended for a few hours – no problems; limited dog-walking; useful access to Tesco and nearby shops. 2011   Note: there have since been reports of trouble from rough sleepers/drug dealers at Bulls Bridge
Grand Union   Mainline	Catherine De Barnes	48-hour moorings; mooring rings	Very quiet; moored overnight – no problems; Cross over the canal bridge for a decent pub (dogs allowed in garden only) and a Spar-type shop. 2009
Grand Union   Mainline	Cosgrove – above the lock	Mooring rings; waterpoint and elsan disposal (but no pump-out) nearby; 48-hour moorings only; moorings officer – Janet Ling – 01908 302581	Very quiet; moored overnight – no problems; Barley Mow pub offside (access via ‘horse’ tunnel under the canal) – not dog-friendly (ok in garden) – food ok but poor  service. 2010
Grand Union   Mainline	Cassiobury Park   Above Iron Bridge Lock	None	Very quiet; moored overnight – no problems; superb dog-walking in surrounding woods – handy pond offside across the Iron Bridge. 2011
Grand Union   Mainline	Cowley – Bridge 189 (Benbow Waye)	None	Very quiet; moored overnight – no problems; left boat unattended for a few days – no problems. 2009
Grand Union   Mainline	Cowley – below Cowley Lock	Mooring rings	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; Left boat unattended for a few days – no problems; useful park adjacent for dog-walking; Malt Shovel pub lockside – not dog-friendly, food ok.  2011
Grand Union   Mainline	Croxley Green – below lock 78	None	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; Useful little shops up main road, also a large park, past the Harvester. Harvester pub/restaurant nearby on main road – woeful service. 2010
Grand Union   Mainline	Entrance to Slough Arm	None	Moored overnight – no problems; good dog-walking nearby; traffic noise from M25. 2008
Grand Union   Mainline	Fenny Stratford – by Bridge 94	Mooring rings	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; left boat unattended for several days – no problems; good dog-walking on towpath and adjacent lane. Easy walking distance to Fenny Stratford train station but very few trains. Tesco within easy driving distance. 2009
Grand Union   Mainline	Grand Union Mainline Bridge 8	None	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; towpath in poor repair. 2008
Grand Union   Paddington Branch	Greenford Visitor Moorings (By Black Horse Pub)	Mooring rings; water point nearby; restricted to 14 days in any calendar year.	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; Left boat unattended for several day/weeks – winter mooring – all fine but centre ropes stolen from boat roof. Black Horse pub – good food, dog friendly; 10 minutes walk to Greenford station. 2010
Grand Union   Mainline	The Globe Pub – by Bridge 111	Mooring rings	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; Left boat unattended for several days – no problems; Globe pub – dog friendly, good food; Watch out for traffic as towpath in front of pub is also a driveway; Good dog-walking in water meadows nearby. 2011
Grand Union   Mainline	Great Linford   Offside by park	Mooring rings   48 – hour	Quiet; moored overnigh – no problems; good dog-walking and pond in adjacent park; Nag’s Head pub short walk away – dog-friendly, good pub  grub. 2011
Grand Union   Mainline	Grove Lock – above lock	None. Limited space because of marina opposite.	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; The Grove pub – not dog-friendly but good food – awkward access over lock beams – no footbridge to pub. 2010
Grand Union   Mainline	Hanwell (below Lock 97)	None	Quiet; left boat unattended for several day – no problems; good dog-walking along the Hanwell lock flight; The Fox pub in nearby street – dog friendly, good food. 2009
Grand Union   Mainline	Harefield – above Coppermill Lock	None at moorings; water and rubbish point below the lock	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; left boat unattended for several day – no problems;  Care with dogs – towpath used for car access; Good food at Coy Carp pub below the lock – not dog friendly. 2011
Grand Union   Mainline	Kings Langley by Bridge 157 (footbridge)	None	Moored overnight – no problems; quiet overnight; park nearby for dogs.  Rose and Crown pub (long walk short drive) does good food – not dog friendly. 2011
Grand Union   Mainline	Kings Langley above Lock 70	None; shallow further back from the lock.	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems Left boat unattended for several days – no problems; Useful road access and parking by bridge 159. Rose and Crown pub Kings Lagnely town – not dog friendly but very good food. 2011
Grand Union Paddington Branch	Little Venice – just before Ha’penny bridge (towpath mooring but mooring rings nearer the junction)	None at this mooring spot but full services at the junction by Little Venice Basin	Quiet; left boat unattended for several days – no problems; 10 minutes walk from Paddington train/tube station and shops/restaurants; small park nearby for dog-walking. 2009
Grand Union   Mainline	Long Itchington – by the Two Boats pub	Mooring rings	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; Two Boats pub – dog friendly, good plain pub grub; good dog-walking in field by bottom lock. 2011
Grand Union   Mainline	Marsworth Junction (opposite service area)	Water point	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems. 2008
Grand Union   Mainline	Marsworth – above bottom lock	None	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; Left boat unattended for several days – no problem; tie boat securely here – lots of passing boats, speed variable! Useful car park adjacent with cafe. Two pubs nearby – haven’t eaten at either. 2011
Grand Union   Mainline	Marsworth –   By Bridge 130	None on towpath; rubbish disposal on road by the bridge	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; Left boat unattended for several days – no problem; Red Lion pub dog-friendly but no food on Sunday. 2011
Grand Union   Mainline	Nether Heyford – by Bridge 28	None	Very quiet; moored overnight – no problems. 2009
Grand Union Paddington Branch	Paddington Basin	Moorings rings and bollards Water point (towards Little Venice)	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; Left boat unattended for several days – no problem; excellent access to Edgware Road and public transport at Paddington; regularly patrolled by security guards; bit of a wind tunnel at the far end! 2011
Grand Union   Mainline	Perivale – opposite Willowtree Cruisers (by Bridge 13)	None	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; very good dog-walking nearby; easy walk to Perivale tube station. 2008
Grand Union   Mainline	Pitstone Wharf – by bridge 126	None; sheet piling	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; good dog walking along towpath and adjacent fields; Duke of Wellington pub nearby – not dog-friendly, poor food. 2009
Grand Union   Mainline	Radford Semele – below Bull Bridge (No 34)	None	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; Left boat unattended for a few days – mo problems; Good dog walking along towpath and in adjacent woodland; White Lion pub in the village – not dog friendly, good food but poor service. 2009
Grand Union   Mainline	Soulbury Three Locks (bottom lock)	None	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; bit close to the road for dogs. 2008
Grand Union   Mainline	Stockton Top Lock	None	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems Only long-term moorings by the lock; visitor moorings further back opposite boatyard. 2008
Grand Union   Mainline	Stoke Bruerne – below bottom lock	Mooring rings; waterpoints ad rubbish disposal just below lock; 48-hour moorings near the lock; 14-day moorings a little further back	Very quiet; left boat unattended for several days – no problems;  Pubs up the hill in Stoke Bruerne – see next entry! 2010
Grand Union   Mainline	Half a mile below bottom lock	None – rough uneven towpath mooring but no plank needed	Exceptionally quiet; moored overnight – no problems. 2011
Grand Union   Mainline	Stoke Bruerne – long pound	Some mooring rings; 24-hour moorings only	Very quiet; moored overnight – no problems; great dog walking; Two pubs above the pound – Navigation Inn – good food but not dog-friendly (garden only); Boat Inn – dog friendly in canalside bar, food ok. 2010
Grand Union   Mainline	Tom o’ the Wood moorings	Mooring rings; 24-hour moorings; water point above the bridge	Moored overnight – no problems; intrusive traffic noise from nearby motorway and train line; Decent dog walking towpath (away from the road bridge); Tom o the Wood pub across the bridge – dog friendly, very good cheap food, comfortable and welcoming. 2009
Grand Union   Mainline	Tring Reservoir Between lock 39 and 40	None	Quiet; good dog-walking; moored overnight – no problems. 2008
Grand Union   Mainline	Warwick – past bridge 45	None	Moored overnight; Trouble with young drunks overnight. Would not leave boat unattended here. 2008
Grand Union   Mainline	Warwick – Kate Boats Yard	Water point; boatyard facilities and chandlers at yard.	Left boat unattended for a few days (by arrangement) – fee payable; Street parking nearby. 2011
Grand Union   Mainline	Warwick – opposite Kate Boats (Bridge 49)	Mooring rings – 48 hour only	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; 20 minute walk to Warwick eateries. 2011
Grand Union   Mainline	Weedon   By Bridge 24	Mooring rings	Some traffic noise but quiet overnight; moored overnight – no problems; left boat unattended for a few days – no problems; 2011
Grand Union   Mainline	Wolverton (Old) – by bridge 69	None; sheet piling.	Very quiet overnight, some noise from local industry  during the day; Left boat unattended for several days – no problems; moored overnight – no problems; Few services – Galleon pub by Bridge 68 now open; garage shop/pub/takeaway around half a mile away  – follow bridlepath across the canal at Bridge 69 onto Stafford Road. 2010
Grand Union Northampton Arm	Bridge 2 – just after the turn from Gayton Junction	None	Traffic noise from A43; moored overnight – no problems; left boat unattended for several days – no problems; 2010
Grand Union   River Soar	Glen Parva   Below Blue Bank Lock	None	Very quiet; moored overnight – no problems; good dog walking in adjacent fields – watch out for ponies. 2011
Grand Union   River Soar	Kegworth   Just before the Devil’s Elbow	None   Shallow in places	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; good towpath dog walking. 2011
Grand Union   River Soar	Kilby Bridge	Mooring rings   48-hour by bridge; 14 day further back   BW facilities offside	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; left boat unattended for a few days – no problems; good towpath dog-walking but unfenced access to road at the bridge. 2011
Grand Union   River Soar	Loughborough   Towpath immediately after turn onto main channel	None   Facilities at canal basin nearby	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; left boat unattended for a few days – no problem; limited dog walking; good access to town shops and restaurants; useful parking in adjacent industrial estate; train station 15 mins walk – turn left at Bridge 38. 2011
Grand Union   River Soar	Thurmaston   Hope and Anchor Bidge	None	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; superb dog-walking in adjacent country park; good pub grub at nearby Hope and Anchor pub – not dog-friendly. 2011
Grand Union   Saltley Cut	Star City  pontoons (offside)	Secure mooring pontoons (BW key needed)	Secure; moored overnight – no problem; quiet overnight but some car noise earlier; restaurants, cinema and other entertainments at adjacent Star City complex;  limited dog-walking offside.2011
Kennet and Avon	Aldermaston Wharf – top lock	None	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; left boat unattended for a few days – no problems; 2007
Kennet and Avon	Bath – top lock	Mooring rings	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems 2007
Kennet and Avon	Bathampton – bridge 183	None; plank needed as towpath overgrown	Quiet – some noise from the nearby train line but trains don’t seem to run late. Moored overnight – no problems. The George Inn nearby does good food. 2008
Kennet and Avon	Bradford on Avon – past bottom lock	Mooring rings and bollards (48-hour); rough towpath mooring (14 day)	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; left boat unattended for a few days – no problems; excellent dog-walking; interesting town and good train access to Bath. 2007
Kennet and Avon	Great Bedwyn by bridge 95	Mooring rings. Water, pump-out and waste disposal at Great Bedwyn Wharf on the other side of the bridge	Quiet – some noise from the nearby train line but trains don’t seem to run late. Moored overnight – no problems. The Cross Keys pub (across the canal just beyond the station) is dog-friendly, does good food and has a great atmosphere. 2008
Kennet and Avon	Crofton Pumping Station (bottom lock)	None	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; left boat unattended for a few days – no problems. 2007
Kennet and Avon	Hilperton Marina	Mooring rings; water point; pump-out; fuel; waste disposal	Mooring by arrangement with the marina; Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; left boat unattended for a few days – no problems. 2006
Kennet and Avon	Honey Street	Mooring rings (short term moorings); rough towpath mooring (14 day)	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; left boat unattended for a few weeks (by special arrangement with BW!) – no problems; excellent dog-walking. 2006
Kennet and Avon	Horton Bridge – Bridge 134	Moorings rings and landing platform just before the bridge (by the pub).	Very quiet; moored overnight – no problems; The Bridge Inn is dog-friendly and does good food. 2008
Kennet and Avon	Hungerford – bottom lock by the church	None	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; left boat unattended for a few days – no problems. 2007
Kennet and Avon	Kintbury – above the lock	Mooring rings; water point; waste disposal;	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; left boat unattended for a few days – no problems; good access to small train station. 2007
Kennet and Avon	Kintbury – by Shepherds Bridge (Bridge 73)	None – rough towpath mooring. Plank needed as canal is shallow	Very quiet overnight; Some noise from the nearby train line but trains don’t seem to run late. Moored overnight – no problems; Superior dog-walking over the bridge; magical place if you like a countryside mooring. 2008
Kennet and Avon	Newbury – past bottom lock by Victoria Park	Mooring rings	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; left boat unattended for a few days – no problems. 2007
Kennet and Avon	Seend bottom lock – opposite the Barge Inn	Mooring rings (24 hour only); water point; waste disposal. Mooring bollards on the pub side of the bridge are 24-hour moorings – easy to mistake them for lock moorings!	Very quiet; moored overnight – no problems; left boat unattended for a few days – no problems; good pub opposite. 2008
Kennet and Avon	Shenfield Lock – between the lock and the swingbridge	None	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; good dog-walking nearby. 2007
Kennet and Avon	Wilcot – by Wilcot Bridge	None – rough towpath mooring	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems. 2007
Kennet and Avon	Woolhampton – below the lock and swing bridge	None – rough towpath mooring. Plank needed as river edge is shallow.	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; Recommend double springs as river flow is fast and to allow for changes in level. 2008
Lee and Stort Navigation	Cheshunt – by sailing club	Mooring rings	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; left boat unattended for a few days – no problems. Very convenient for train station and good parking adjacent  2010
Lee and Stort Navigation	Harlow Mill	None	Moored overnight – no problems. 2007
Lee and Stort Navigation	Hertford – top lock	None	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; good dog-walking nearby. 2007
Lee and Stort Navigation	Latton Lock near Harlow	None	Quiet; left boat unattended for a few days – no problems. 2010
Lee and Stort Navigation	Southall	None; rough towpath mooring – very shallow on this stretch	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems. 2007
Lee and Stort Navigation	Waltham Abbey – above top lock	None	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; left boat unattended for a few days – no problems; Good dog walking; good access to interesting town. 2007
Macclesfield Canal	Kidsgrove Junction – by bridge 98	None	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems. 2009
Nottingham Canal	Castle Park   By Tinkers Lane footbridge	Mooring rings	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; good access to superstores nearby; good towpath dog walking. 2011
Oxford Canal (North)	Newbold on Avon – by the Eastern portal	None	Very quiet; moored overnight – no problems; Barley Mow pub – slow service, indifferent food, dog-friendly; 2009
Oxford Canal (South)	Banbury – below Albion Bridge (166)	Mooring rings; 14-day moorings; Waste disposal, showers and other BW facilities available just below Banbury Lock.	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; Left boat unattended for a few days – two loose mooring ropes stolen – would not leave boat unattended here again; good dog-walking in water meadows beyond Samuelson Bridge (168); great access to town with large range of shops. 2009
Oxford Canal (South)	Lower Heyford – between Heyford Wharf Bridge (206) and Mill lift bridge (205)	None at mooring; Water and waste disposal available at Heyford Wharf Bridge	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; good dog-walking along towpath (after the bend where the railway line moves away from the canal); very good dog-friendly pub in the village – The Bell. 2009
Oxford Canal (South)	Napton – below lock 12	None	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; good dog walking along towpath; local pubs are dog friendly; Poor service at the Folly Inn by bridge 113; much better service at the Crown in Napton village. 2009
Regent’s Canal	City Road Basin	Moorings rings	Quiet; easy access to Angel; Left boat unattended for several days – no problem. 2009
Regent’s Canal	Battlebridge Basin – towpath opposite the  basin	Some mooring rings	Left boat unattended for a few days – no problem. 2010
Regent’s Canal	Limehouse Basin	Pontoon moorings (marina); Wall moorings (14 day); Water point; Pump-out; Shore power (on pontoons); Waste disposal and recycling	Great moorings; Secure – even on the wall. Good cheap food at the Cruising Association; Small park for dogs just up Limehouse Cut; The Grapes pub nearby does good food and is dog-friendly; lots of good restaurants around.  2010
River Avon (Bath – Bristol)	Railings by bus station	None	Moored overnight – no problems; some traffic noise. 2007
River Avon (Bath – Bristol)	Bristol Floating Harbour	Pontoon moorings; shore power; water point; waste disposal	Moored overnight – no problems; left boat unattended for a few days – no problems; Crowd and music noise until 3am. Bustling harbour with all the facilities of a big city. Plenty of interesting things to see and do. 2008
River Avon   (Stratford)	Robert Aickman Lock   Below the lock	Mooring bollards; 24-hour moorings on lock mooring above and below the lock;	Moored overnight – no problems; Quiet overnight through dogs spooked by the faint noise of a bird-scarer; Countryside mooring – no pub/shops nearby. 2009
River Avon   (Stratford)	Stratford on Avon Recreation Ground	Some mooring rings	Moored overnight – no problems; quiet overnight but sociable passing tourists during the day; good access to Bancroft Basin and the ‘historic’ town; good dog-walking on the recreation ground. 2009
River Avon (Stratford)	Tewkesbury Quay wall below the lock	Mooring rings	Very quiet; Moored overnight – no problems; towpath is level with the boat roof so slightly awkward access. Good dog walking nearby at Severn Ham. 2008
River Avon (Stratford)	Tewkesbury   Quay wall by the old mill above and downstream of the lock	Mooring rings; rubbish point	Quiet; Moored overnight – no problems; Good dog-walking nearby at Severn Ham; Good access to town centre. 2009
River Nene	Ashton – above Ashton Lock – moor in the stream on the right	None	Very quiet; moored overnight – no problems; excellent dog-walking in adjacent meadows; Very scenic moorings; 15 minute’s walk to Ashton Village.  2010
River Nene	Billing Aquadrome	Mooring pontoons in marina; water and electric  available; Good security; Cafes, restaurants, swimming pool, leisure facilities.   £6.50 per night	Quiet overnight; some noise from funfair etc during the day. Moored overnight – no problem; Left boat unattended for several days – no problem; Very friendly staff. 2010
River Nene	Irthlingborough – above lock by footlball club	Mooring pontoon; waterpoint; pump-out	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; good dog walking in adjacent meadows. 2010
River Nene	Northampton town moorings (by yellow footbridge)	Mooring rings; 48-hour moorings; service pontoon below Beckett Park Lock	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; Good access to Morrison’s supermarket and town centre to the left of the footbridge. 2010
River Nene	Wadenhoe – above the lock – moorings belong to the Kings Head pub – free but ask permission.	Waterpoint	Very quiet; moored overnight – no problem;  Kings head pug – dog friendly, excellent food; Excellent dog-walking in fields by church; interesting church. 2010
River Nene	Wellingborough Embankment	Mooring rings; 48-hour moorings; waterpoint nearby	Some noise from flour mill adjacent; moored overnight – no; problems; park adjacent for dog-walking; Large Tesco superstore on main road nearby. 2010
River Nene	Thrapston – UPSTREAM of old road bridge	Mooring rings; 48-hour moorings; waterpoint. Note: Tricky approach to moorings.	Quiet overnight – some daytime road noise from bridge; moored overnight – no problems; Excellent dog-walking in meadows nearby; Mooring is enclosed but the gate to the road is open so watch the dogs! Woolpack Pub nearby – didn’t try it. 2010
River Soar – See Grand Union – River Soar
River Thames	Abingdon – downstream of Abingdon Bridge	Mooring rings; free 5-day mooring	Only stopped for an afternoon but seemed like a quiet spot; even quieter upstream of Abingdon Bridge; interesting town to explore; good dog-walking adjacent to the moorings. 2009
River Thames	Bablock Hythe – just upstream of the Ferryman pub	None; free 24-hour moorings	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; good dog-walking in the adjacent meadow; Did not eat at the Ferryman pub – not dog-friendly. 2009
River Thames	Boveney Lock – visitor moorings	Mooring bollards below the weir; waste disposal nearby; moor by arrangement with lock keeper.	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; left boat unattended for a few days – no problems; reasonable mooring fee payable to lock-keeper. 2008
River Thames	Chertsey Meads	Some mooring rings; 24-hour moorings; waste disposal;	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; moorings free of charge; Excellent dog-walking just upstream of the moorings in Dumsey Meadow; Two decent pubs on Chertsey Bridge (upstream of the moorings) but not dog-friendly. 2009
River Thames	Cliveden Islands	None	Tiny National Trust islands in the middle of the Thames; Moored for lunch only but overnight possible for a small fee; popular spot but swanky to moor on an island! 2008
River Thames	Cliveden Reach	None	Countryside mooring on the right bank (looking upstream). Very very quiet; moored overnight – no problems; reasonable mooring fee payable; Surrounded by superb dog-walking with no roads or other hazards nearby. 2009
River Thames	Cookham – upstream of Cookham Bridge	None	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; good dog-walking; reasonable mooring fee payable; good access to Cookham village. 2007
River Thames	Henley on Thames – on the right upstream of Henley Bridge opposite Rod Eyot	Mooring rings	Secure mooring but some noise on the towpath until 1am; moored overnight – no problems; good dog-walking in adjacent park; reasonable mooring fee payable – get ticket from pay ‘n display machine in the nearby car park; Dog friendly pub with good food – The Little Angel just over Henley Bridge. 2009
River Thames	Hurley Lock – just upstream of the lock	None	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; very good dog-walking; reasonable fee payable. 2007
River Thames	King’s Lock – near the entrance to Duke’s Cut	Mooring posts; moor by arrangement with the lock keeper	Very quiet; left boat unattended for a few days – no problems; reasonable fee payable; no road access – nearest road is a mile away at Godstow Bridge. Good dog-walking in adjacent fields; nearest pub – the Trout Inn by Godstow Bridge – dogs allowed in the garden, indifferent food and poor service. 2009
River Thames	Kingston – upstream of Kingston Bridge	Mooring rings	Moored overnight – no problems; great access to town centre; good dog-walking. 2007
River Thames	Lechlade – meadow just below Ha’penny Bridge	None; free moorings – not signed but assume 24-hour	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; good dog walking in the adjacent meadow; Interesting town – supermarket and range of promising pubs. Good food at the Swan – dog-friendly. 2009
River Thames	Marlow – upstream of Marlow Bridge	None	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; good access to town. Dog walking along towpath and park nearby. 2008
River Thames	Moulsford – “Beetle and Wedge” pub moorings	Mooring bollards; free overnight mooring for patrons	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; good dog-walking downstream of the pub; superb restaurant in the ‘Beetle and Wedge’ pub – not dog-friendly. 2009
River Thames	Sandford – lock moorings	Mooring rings/bollards; mooring by arrangement with the lock-keeper; reasonable fee payable	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; left boat unattended for a few days – no problems; Good dog walking in the meadow above the lock; Good food at the Kings Arms pub adjacent – not dog-friendly. 2009
River Thames	Shepperton – Thames Court pub	Mooring rings/bollards; 24-hour moorings	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; bit close to the road for dogs. 2008
River Thames	Shepperton – below the lock and weir near the entrance of the River Wey – left hand side looking upstream	Mooring rings; strong flows – turn bow into the stream to moor.	Moored overnight – no problems; some party noise from boat club opposite (Saturday night); Smart moorings – Weybridge within walking distance 2010
River Thames	Sonning – upstream of the lock	None	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems. 2007
River Thames	Staines – downstream of Staines Bridge	Pontoon moorings	Moored overnight – no problems; great access to town centre. 2007
River Thames	Teddington Lock	Mooring bollards in lock cut; mooring by arrangement with the lock keeper	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; Left boat unattended for a few days – no problems; reasonable mooring fee payable. Good dog walking on adjacent common. 2008
River Thames	Thames and Kennet Marina	Everything you can think of!	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; left boat unattended for a few days – no problems; very sociable mooring. 2009
River Thames	The Albany Pub opposite Hampton Court Palace	Mooring pontoons	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; good dog walking; good pub! 2007
River Thames	Wallingford – upstream of the bridge	None	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; reasonable mooring fee payable. 2007
River Thames (Tidal)	Royal Docks	Mooring chains; water point, rubbish and toilet cassette disposal by arrangement with the sailing school. Locking fee from £350.	Subsidised locking (£5) and mooring (£1.25 per foot per week) available with St Pancras Cruising Club flotilla to coincide with the London Boatshow every January. Good dog-walking nearby at Barrier Park, overlooking the Thames Barrier. Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; left boat unattended for a few days – no problems. 2009
River Trent	Newark   Wall on town side	Mooring rings	Quiet at night, lots of noise from adjacent scrap-yard during the day; moored overnight – no problems; good access to town shops and sights; good Chinese takeaway – New King Wah;  limited dog-walking; wall a bit high for on/offloading hounds. 2011
River Trent	Fiskerton	Mooring pontoon below Bromley Arms pub	Very quiet; moored overnight – no problems; superb dog walking in fields upstream of the village; good pub grub at the Bromley Arms; charming spot. 2011
River Trent	Muskham Ferry	Shore mooring pontoons outside Muskham Ferry pub   At right angle to river	Very quiet if you  can avoid rub from mooring ropes; good dog walking in fields upstream of pub; good pub grub at Muskahm Ferry – not dog-friendly; very friendly locals but vicious dog (confined) in house to the right of the pub. 2011
River Trent	Nottingham   County Hall	Mooring rings	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; dog walking in park ‘offside; relatively poor access to town/shops but very pleasant spot. 2011
River Trent   Sawley Cut	Sawley Bridge Marina	Full marina services & chandlery   Fee payable but reciprocal agreement for BWML moorers	Quiet; left boat unattended for a few days – no problems; pontoon is bit high for easy access to narrowboat deck. 2011
River Trent   Sawley Cut	Sawley   Above Sawley Locks	None	Quiet;  moored overnight – no problems; towpath in good repair and well-lit; good towpath dog-walking. 2011
River Weaver	Acton Swingbridge	Mooring bollards	Moored overnight – no problems; some traffic noise from the swigbridge; Leigh Arms nearby – very good food and dog-friendly pub; dogs on leads here as close to the road/bridleway. 2009
River Weaver	Nantwich – above Town Swingbridge	Mooring bollards	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; Full town centre facilities (over swingbridge and turn left at the traffic lights); secure for dogs tight by the mooring but roads nearby. 2009
River Weaver	Vale Royal – upstream of Vale Royal Lock	Sheet piling	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; superb dog-walking in adjacent countryside; no shops of pubs nearby. 2009
River Wey	Cartbridge – upstream of Cart Bridge	None	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; New Inn – canalside pub,  dog-friendly, good food.; good dog-walking across Ashburton Footbridge. 2010
River Wey	Dapdune Wharf (offside)   Free mooring – contact National Trust Office (01483 561389) for permission to moor.	Mooring bollards; water point; rubbish disposal	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; left boat unattended for a few days – no problems; interesting waterways museum at the wharf; 15 minute walk to Guildford town centre and train station. 2010
River Wey	New Haw – above the lock	None	Some traffic noise from nearby M25; moored overnight – no problem; pub and good Chinese restaurant in New Haw – cross the river by the lock. 2010
Shropshire Union	Audlem – between Lock 11 and 12	Mooring Rings	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; Good pubs nearby; Bridge Inn – good food and dog-friendly. 2009
Shropshire Union	Beeston – above Iron Lock	Mooring rings	Moored overnight – no problems; left boat unattended for a few days – no problems; Some nose from adjacent train line but otherwise peaceful; good café (the Lock Café) nearby; secure towpath dog-walking but watch for path to the road at the bridge. 2009
Shropshire Union	Bridge 11	None	Disastrous mooring spot – towpath too soft for pins and lots of passing traffic – boat pulled adrift more than once; towpath in very bad condition – unsuitable for walking/cycling; good road access from Bridge 11 and useful parking. 2009
Shropshire Union	Stoak – Bridge 138	None	Moored overnight – no problems; traffic noise from surrounding motorways but otherwise peaceful and rural; Good pub (Bunbury Inn) in Stoak village (follow footpath across the bridge into the village) – dog-friendly; good secure dog-walking. 2009
Shropshire Union	Gnosall – between Cowley Tunnel and Bridge 34	Mooring rings; waterpoint after Bridge 35	Very quiet; moored overnight – no problems; good dog-walking in woodland adjacent to towpath; Boat Inn on Bridge 24 – good food and dog-friendly. 2009
Trent & Mersey	Branston   Near Branston Bridge (34)	None   Popular towpath moorings	Very quiet; moored overnight –no problems; good towpath dog-walking between bridge and lock; good Italian food at Bridge Inn – not dog-friendly. 2011
Trent & Mersey	Bridge 209	None	Quiet countryside mooring; left boat unattended for several days – no problems; good dog-walking along towpath. 2009
Trent & Mersey	Middlewich – above Big Lock	Mooring rings	Moored overnight – no problems; Good dog-walking in field across from Big Lock; Big Lock pub – dog friendly, indifferent food. 2009
Trent & Mersey	Rode Heath (above lock 54)	None; Sheet piling	Quiet; Moored overnight – no problems; Good dog-walking field to the right of Lock 53. 2009
Trent & Mersey	Weston upon Trent – by Bridge 80	None approaching the bridge from the North; mooring rings beyond the bridge.	Quiet; Moored overnight – no problems; Saracen’s Head pub – dog-friendly and good food. 2009
Staffordshire and Worcester Canal	Aldersley Junction	None	Quiet; Quiet; Moored overnight – no problems; other boats moored there for BCN Challenge. 2011
Staffordshire and Worcester Canal	Bird in Hand Pub (by Mitton Chapel Bridge – 7)	None; sheet piling.	Quiet; Left boat unattended for a few days – no problems; Good dog walking in cemetery over Mitton Chapel Bridge; Bird in Hand pub NOT dog-friendly; The Rising Sun pub – plain pub grub and dog-friendly. 2009
Staffordshire and Worcester Canal	Caunsall Bridge – 26	None for the boat but useful car parking just off the road by the bridge.	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; left boat unattended for a few days – no problems. A storm brought down a tree nearby – may be worth mooring a little nearer Bridge 25. 2008
Staffordshire and Worcester Canal	Compton – Bridge 59	Mooring rings – may be 48-hour	Quiet; left boat unattended for a few days (arranged with BW) – no problems; Useful Nisa shop nearby; decent Chinese/thai takeaway opposite; car park adjacent to mooring. 2011
Staffordshire and Worcester Canal	Dimmingsdale Lock (above the lock)	None	Very quiet; moored overnight – no problems; good dog-walking along towpath. 2009
Staffordshire and Worcester Canal	Lower Mitton Bridge – Bridge 5 above York Street   Lock.	Mooring rings; rubbish point, pump out and water nearby in the basin below the lock.	Some pub noise early on but quiet overnight. Moored overnight – no problems. Good access to town and supermarket. Good dog walking nearby at Bridge 7. 2008
Staffordshire and Worcester Canal	Whittington Lock (above the lock)	None; sheet piling.	Quiet; Moored overnight – no problems; Whittington Inn on main road (10 minutes walk) – good food but not dog-friendly. 2009
Stratford Canal	Bridge 63	Towpath mooring but water and refuse point nearby	Left boat unattended for a few days – pins pulled by passing boats but also re-tied by passing boaters! 2009
Stratford Canal	Hockley Heath – Bridge 25 (not the pub side!)	Mooring rings – hard to see in the long grass.	Quiet overnight – some traffic noise during the day; moored overnight – no problems; Care with dogs – easy access to road above from towpath; good dog walking across swingbridge 26; Wharf Inn – good food, not dog friendly. 2011
Stratford Canal	Lapworth Top Lock – opposite residential moorings just below the  Swallow Cruisers winding hole	None	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; left boat unattended for a few days – no problems. 2008
Stratford Canal	Lapworth Top Lock – just above the lock	Mooring rings	Quiet; left boat unattended for a few days – no problems; towpath dog-walking but too close to the road for off-lead rummaging here. 2009
Stratford Canal	Wilmcote	None on 14-day moorings; mooring rings on the 48-hour moorings by the bridge.	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; Left boat unattended for a few days – no problems; useful train station nearby; two dog-friendly pubs in the village; Good village shop; Good dog-walking along towpath. 2009
Stourbridge Canal	Stewponey – above Stourton top lock	None	Very quiet and rural; Moored overnight – no problems; Safe dog-walking up the towpath. 2008
Walsall Canal	Walsall Town Arm	Mooring rings; mooring pontoons in the basin	Moored overnight – no problems; Lots of passersby but quiet overnight; Left boat unattended for a few days – no problems – other boats moored there after BCN Challenge; useful train station nearby; comprehensive town centre shopping adjacent. 2011
Wyrley and Essington Canal	Pelsall – near Pelsall Junction (Fingerpost pub)	None; Shallow edge but no plank needed.	Quiet; moored overnight – no problems; Left boat unattended for a few days – no problems – other boats moored  for Pelsall Festival; good dog walking in adjacent meadows; Fingerpost pub – good food. 2011