STOCKTON TOP MARINA, STOCKTON, WARKS

Stockton Top Marina, Blue Lias Industrial Estate, Nr Stockton, Warks, CV47 8HS

This small marina is not on a number of maps, it is situated on the Grand Union Canal near Warwick, just three locks from Braunston

Locate the A426 where it runs between Southam and Rugby. About two miles north of Southam on this road you will pass The Boat Inn (where the road crosses the canal). If it is your first visit to the site the easiest way is probably to enter their car park and drive to the far end where you will find a set of steps leading you down in to the marina. The entrance to the marina car park it through the industrial estate which may by accessed about 200 yards south of the pub off the main road (or in the Southam direction).

Incidentally the best junction to use off the M40 is number 12, although the signs will send you via junction 11 as this is the route the HGV's use. If you are coming up from the London area the instructions are as follows:-

Leave at Junction 12, turn right. At the end of this road turn right and at the end of the next road turn right (at the roundabout). At the next roundabout turn left, at the next go straight ahead and at the next turn right, this is the A426 towards Rugby. As an additional guide: From the motorway keep following signs for "Bishops Itchington" until you pass through it, then follow signs for "Southam" until you are alongside it (on the Southam by-bass), then follow signs for "Coventry" A423 through two roundabouts, and at the third follow the local sign for "Dunchurch". This is the A426 (see two paragraphs above).

Map for Stockton Top Marina (Look where the main "red" road heading north east from Southam crosses the canal, the marina is behind The Boat Inn, (great food!) use their car park.)

CALCUTT

Calcutt Boats Ltd, Calcutt Top Lock, Stockton, Rugby, CV47 8HX

See directions above for Blue Lias Marina, Calcutt Boats is around 5 minutes drive from there. Leave the marina or pub car park in the direction of Rugby (left) on the A426. Immediately after crossing the canal turn right, taking a small road along side the canal. At the end of this road, at the "T" junction, turn right. You will cross two bridges, one over the canal and another over a long since closed railway line. Keep ahead on this road, go past Calcutt Lane and about 1/2 mile beyond this you will see signs in the road directing you to the left up the lane to the boatyard.

Approaching from the A425, which runs between Southam and Daventry at the cross roads in Napton by the Kings Head pub/petrol station take the Stockton Road, ignore the turn almost immediately sign posted to Stockton itself and keep ahead. After about a quarter of a mile you will see signs directing you to the right down the aforementioned lane.

Map, Calcutt Boats (Look for the lane leading up from the arrow to Calcutt Locks)

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FRADLEY

Swan Line Cruisers, Fradley Junction, Alrewas, Burton - on -Trent, DE13 7DN
01283 790 332

Swan Line's Boatyard is situated where the Coventry and Trent and Mersey Canals join. To find the boatyard by road locate the A38 between Lichfield and Burton-on-Trent. From this road there is a turn directing you to Fradley Park, turn here and follow the signs sending you towards it (it is actually an industrial estate) Head down the lane and keep an eye out for a Go-Kart track on your left and take the first turn after this to your right, then turn left at the next cross-roads, and be warned, when I was there the mischief-makers had turned around the sign for Fradley Junction so don't think they are correct. After crossing the canal on the hump-backed bridge turn sharp left and along there you will find the boatyard just after The Swan public house. When you first arrive use the pub car park but seek guidance as to where you should leave your car as soon as possible from the staff at the boatyard.

If you are heading to this boatyard from any other direction you should follow signs for Fradley Junction once you are near the site. It is not actually in the village of Fradley.

Whist you are there you might like to have a look in at Woodside Caravan Park which is next door.

Map, Fradley

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WRENBURY

Alvechurch Boats, Wrenbury Mill, Near Nantwich, Cheshire, CW5 8HG
01270 780 544

This boatyard is situated at the eastern end of the Langollen Branch of the Shropshire Union Canal. Finding it by road is really very easy, but there is no easy way of giving precise directions! Assuming you are coming from the Motorway network leave the M6 at junction 16 and head towards Nantwich on the A500, or, to put it another way, away from Stoke (take care as the A500 also exits the M6 at junction 15, use J16).
At Nantwich take the A530 south towards Whitchurch and after about 3 miles you will see signs towards Wrenbury, simply follow them. If you are coming down from the north and using the A49 then, once again, Wrenbury is well signposted from this road. Once you arrive in the village the boatyard is situated right next to the lift bridge over the canal.

Map, Wrenbury

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AYNHO WHARF

The Canal Wharf, Station Road, Aynho Nr Banbury, Oxon OX17 3BP

Local Ownerships Manager: TBA

Marina Contact: Mike and Helen Walker 01869 338483 or 07798 567883

Canal Location

Southern Oxford Canal about 5 miles south of Banbury.

Directions by Car

The yard is situated on the B4031 between Aynho and Deddington, Oxon. It lies by the Great Western Arms.

Yard Description and services

The boatyard is operated by Walker services, which is owned by Michael and Helen Walker. Boatbuilding is carried out on the site, and a full range of services including repairs, engine servicing, pump-out, gas, diesel is available. There is a shop on site which sells general provisions, newspapers and chandlery. The shop is open 7 days a week, but with reduced hours during the winter.

The yard is on-line; and free car parking is conveniently adjacent to the wharf.

A valet service is provided (see below). Pump out charge is £18 per tank.

Local amenities

The pub adjacent to the boatyard, The Great Western Arms, is (at the time of writing) open for food all lunchtimes, and every evening except Sundays.

The nearby village of Deddington (2.5 miles) has a good selection of local shops, including a butcher, as well as a Co-op supermarket.

General Information

Days of Operation:
Workshop Mon-Fri all year round 8.00 – 16.45
Marina Shop Open 7 days a week all year round; hours vary according to season. Summer hours (Easter to end Oct) 9.00 – 17.00 Mon-Fri, 9.00 – 16.00 Sat, 10.00 – 15.00 Sun.

Out of Hours Access: Entrance to car park by key code
Valet service £30 plus VAT. Book in advance.
Parking: Free.
Life Jackets: Not available
Anchors: Nominal charge. Book in advance by phone

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ACTON BRIDGE

Bartington Wharf, Acton Bridge, Northwich, Cheshire, CW8 4QU
01606 852945

Acton Bridge boatyard is situated just north of the actual village, and is very easy to find. Assuming that you are coming off the motorway network, locate the M56, taking it in the direction of Runcorn, that is to say, away from Manchester, and leave at the first junction you come to, junction 10. Take the A49 south, towards Whitchurch, staying on this road until you come to a cross-roads where there are traffic lights, after about 4 miles. Go straight on at these lights and after about 1 mile the road will rise slightly where you cross the canal. Continue a little way until you see “The Horns” public house and take the turning opposite it. Follow the road round a “U” and up to the boatyard which is through the gate at the end. Obviously if you are coming from the south on the A49 you will need to keep a sharp look out for the pub and turn just after it.

In a nutshell, if you are following the above from the M56 and you come to a very large swing bridge, you have gone too far!!

Map for Acton Bridge

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SWALLOW CRUISERS

Swallow Cruisers, Wharf Lane, Hockley Heath, Solihull B94 5NR
01564 783442

This boatyard is situated just above the Lapworth Flight on the northern section of the Stratford Canal. To find the boatyard by road is really very easy, though what is written below may make it sound complicated! Assuming you are coming off the motorway network leave the M42 at junction 4 and take the A3400 towards Hockley Heath, that is to say away from Solihull. Pass through the town and keep a look out for a sign on your right towards "Nuthurst Grange”. Turn left just before it, up Wharf Lane, and the boatyard is a few hundred yards up on your left. If you come to the M40 you have gone to far. But (and here is the complicated bit) it is perhaps worth mentioning that at the nearer junction for the M40 (J16) you can only get off if you are heading south, or towards London, and on if you are heading in the opposite direction. If these are the directions that you will approach/leave then this exit is quite a bit nearer, just reverse the above! Finally on this subject, if you are coming from the south you may consider approaching the boatyard on the B4439, if you do come this way the turning off it on to Wharf Lane is signed for Henley, but I would advise you that it is probably quicker to use the M40 to its end, take the M42 north and come off at junction 4, even though it looks quite a bit further on a map.

Map, Swallow Cruisers

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HERITAGE

The Marina, Kent Green, , Scholar Green, Cheshire, Via Stoke On Trent ST7 3JZ
01782 785700

Situated on the Maccelsfield, near the junction with the Trent and Mersey Canal, Heritage Narrowboats is easy to find, once you find the turning off the A34! On your map look for the A34 between Congleton and Kidsgrove, just north of Stoke.

If you are heading north, stay on the A34 keeping an eye out for an interesting looking thatched pub called The Bleeding Wolf on your left-hand side. After passing this pub, a short distance along the road is another pub on the left called The Travellers Rest. Once you pass this pub, keep a look out on your right for a small shop called The Village Store.

On the brow of the next rise is a turning to the right, sign-posted 'Mow Cop one and three quarter miles'. Turn right here into Station Road.Stay on this road for approx. half a mile, past The Rising Sun and cross the Macclesfield Canal. Take the next turning left, by Wharf Plumbing. The entrance to Heritage is about 100m on your left. Keep an eye out for some
blue gates.

(At the time of typing I do not really have a landmark for the turn off coming south, you might like to try the above or....)

Coming from the north on the A34 keep an eye open on your left for a car dealership with a restaurant located just after it, turn left immediately after this restaurant. Once on this road keep straight ahead for around 2 miles, the road will then enter a series of bends and cross the canal. Once across the canal there is a sign indicating a level crossing at a turn to your left, DO NOT TURN HERE, but keep an eye out for some blue gates soon after it on your right, this is Heritage Narrowboats.

Map, Heritage

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WHITCHURCH MARINA

Wrexham Road, Whitchurch SY13 3AA
Tel: 01948 662012 Fax: 01948 666431

By Road

Approaching from the South on the A41

As you approach Whitchurch turn left at the roundabout following signs for Wrexham (A525). Go straight across the next roundabout still following signs for Wrexham (A525). At the next roundabout (Little Chef and ESSO garage on your right) you need to turn left (still A525 Wrexham) and you will see the entrance to our hire base just 50 metres along this road on the right.
Approaching from the East on the A525
As you approach Whitchurch, follow the signs for Wrexham (A525). This will take you along a new by-pass to the South and then to the West of Whitchurch.
At the third roundabout along the by-pass, (Little Chef and ESSO garage on your right) you need to turn left (still A525 Wrexham) and you will see the entrance to our hire base just 50 metres along this road on the right.
Approaching from the West on the A525
Follow the road through the village until you come to a pedestrian crossing controlled by traffic lights. Immediately beyond this pedestrian crossing turn right into Bear Hill.
Follow the road up the hill until, as you leave the village, you pass over a railway bridge followed closely by a canal bridge. The Marina entrance is then on your left about 200 metres beyond the Canal Bridge.

By Rail
The nearest train station is Whitchurch, Shropshire and you will need to get a taxi from here to the base.
Please note that this station is not manned on a Sunday so tickets either need to be pre-booked or bought on the train
For information about train timetables and ticket costs for all mainline rail transport please go to www.thetrainline.com
By Air
Manchester , Liverpool and Birmingham airports are all 1 hour away. You will need to take the train to Crewe or Shrewsbury and then change at Whitchurch. There is no direct National Express coach to Whitchurch so you will need to take the coach to Nantwich (9.7 miles away) or Crew (13 miles away) and then take the train. Please see www.nationalexpress.com for details on national coach travel.
By Taxi
The following taxi companies who also run a mini bus will be pleased to quote a price to meet your flight.
Halls Taxis, telephone: 01948 662222
Jacks Taxis, telephone: 01948 666300
Amenities

Facilities on site
Shop Souvenirs, maps and ice creams etc.
Chandlery Rope, fenders, deck gear
Toilets Yes
Showers Yes
Waste disposal Yes
Recycling facilities Yes (1 mile away)
Moorings None
Car Parking Secure car park, Visitors £3 per day
Pay Phone No
Postal service Post Office (1 mile away)

Local Facilities
Shops Whitchurch (1 mile away)
Bank Whitchurch (1 mile away)
Laundrette Whitchurch (1 mile away)
Chemist Whitchurch (1 mile away)
Doctors Whitchurch (1 mile away)
Dentist Whitchurch (1 mile away)
Veterinary Surgeons
Internet Cafe Whitchurch (1 mile away)
Restaurants Whitchurch (1 mile away)
Pubs Whitchurch (1 mile away)

Public Transport etc.
Railway Station Whitchurch (1 mile away)
Bus Service Yes
Taxis Yes
Airport Manchester International Airport (40 miles away)

Map, Whitchurch Marina

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ETRURIA

Garden Festival Park Marina, Etruria, Stoke on Trent, ST1 5PA
01782 201981

Canalwise this marina is situated just north of the entrance to the Caldon Canal on the Trent and Mersey. Finding it by road is as follows. From the north leave the M6 at Junction 16 on to the A500 or from the south leave at junction 15 and take the A500, both will be signposted towards Stoke. Leave the A500 at the A53 towards Hanley and city centre. You will pass over the canal and you can see the marina on the left hand side at this point. Stay in the left hand lane (do not cross flyover) and you will come to a large roundabout under it. Turn left at this and you have now entered Festival Park. Turn left at the mini roundabout and on your left you will pass a cinema complex. Take the first left after this and you will then pass though the gates in to the marina. If you get lost (!) then follow the brown “tourist” signs to Festival Park. Incidentally if you choose to approach from the A50 (from the east of Stoke) it joins up with the A500 in the centre of the city. This road is new and offers a quite stunning approach to the city.

Map, Etruria

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ALVECHURCH

Alverchurch Boats, Alverchurch, Birmingham BH48 7SQ

The boatyard is situated on the western edge of the village of Alvechurch and may be found thus. Exit at junction 2 (signposted Birmingham (South)), From the motorway roundabout roundabout take the A441 towards Birmingham. At the next roundabout, turn left (signposted Alvechurch). Continue to next roundabout and immediately pass under the motorway and enter the village of Alvechurch. Follow this road until you come to a pedestrian crossing controlled by traffic lights. Immediately beyond the pedestrian crossing turn right into Bear Hill. Follow road up the hill until, as you leave the village, you pass over a railway bridge followed closely by a canal bridge. The boatyard is then on your left with the entrance about 200 yards beyond the canal bridge.

Map, Alvechurch

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NORBURY JUNCTION

Norbury Wharf Ltd The Wharf Norbury Junction Staffs ST20 0PN

Local Ownerships Manager
TBA

Marina Contact:
Simon Jenkins Tel No. 01785 284 292

Canal Location

Situated just north of Gnosall Heath on the Shropshire Union Canal.

Directions by Car

When travelling via the M6, leave at junction 14 and take the A5013 towards Eccleshall, (opposite way from Stafford) turning left onto the B5405 at Great Brigeford. At the end of this road turn left onto the A519 and after crossing the canal turn left toward Norbury and the follow the (little) brown signs marked Norbury Junction.

http://www.theaa.com/

Yard Description

When you first arrive park in the main part of the yard. The actual car park that you will subsequently be directed to is right next door, please therefore as for directions. There is no parking charge for the first car. When you need to load your boat you can get your car quite close to the wharf, so, apart from perhaps stepping across another boat this should present no problems. Please report to reception before boarding your boat.

http://www.suffolkcam.co.uk/norbury2003.htm

General Information

Days of Operation: 7 days a week
Opening Times: 08.00 – 18.00
Out of Hours Access: Combination lock.
Valet: Available, book on arrival or phone- £35 cheques payable to Norbury Wharf Ltd
Parking: First car free, additional cars £15 per week. Cheques payable to Norbury Wharf Ltd
Life Jackets: Available on first come first serve, hire charge applies of £5 per week.
Anchors Not available

Map, Norbury Junction

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GREAT HAYWOOD MARINA

Great Haywood Marina, Mill Lane, Great Haywood, Staffs ST18 0RQ

Local Ownerships Manager: Andrew Cooley 07921 289 504

Marina Contact: Julie Martin 01889 883713

Canal Location

Trent & Mersey Canal close to Great Haywood Junction with Staffs & Worcs canal.

Directions by Car

Great Haywood village lies on a loop road just off the A51 a few miles south of Stone, Staffs. In the village centre is a mini-roundabout by a SPAR convenience store. Turn right here if you have approached from the north – or left from the south – onto Mill Lane. After about 600 yards, beyond the railway bridge, you will see a sign for The Canalside Shop and Great Haywood Marina on your right. Enter here, through the security boom, and keep right for the marina entrance. When closed, there is a code for the boom (This is not necessary when exiting the yard). There is also a code for the gate leading to the jetties where OwnerShips moorings are. (See below for opening hours).

Yard Description and services

This is a brand-new marina. There is no hire fleet based here, but full engineering/repair service is available. On arrival, please make yourself known to the marina office if open and collect any pink End of Holiday report copies from the pink folder kept there . Winter hours are Tues-Sat 10 – 4, summer 7 days a week 9 -5. OwnerShips’ moorings are at berths 3-12 just to the left of the main building behind the workshop. 4-wheeled trolleys are provided for transport of luggage etc. from the car park. There are additional notes about the marina, etc. on the boat. Out of hours access to the loos is by coded locks.

Car parking is free, a valet service is provided at £25 plus £10 if a dog had been on board. This is paid in cash only, bookable in advance, please. Pump out is £15 for one tank, £25 for two.

There is a website at http://www.gjp-marinas.co.uk/greathaywood.html The following is an extract:

The new quality marina on the Trent & Mersey Canal at Great Haywood was completed in July 2007
The marina is situated at the historic canal centre close to the junction with the Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal, with easy cruising to some of the most beautiful stretches of the canal network.
The marina accommodates 200 boats and is supported with an amenities building accommodating showers, toilets, laundry and a members lounge. A slipway and boat workshop is available for general maintenance and routine servicing.

Notes
There is a general store, butchers and 2 pubs in the village which do food. There is also a farm shop adjacent to the marina, which sells delicious home-grown strawberries!

General Information

Days of Operation: 7 days a week summer
Tues – Sat winter
Opening Times: 09.00-17.30 summer 10.00 - 4.00 winter
Out of Hours Access: Pedestrian access will be by PIN code when fencing complete.
Valet: Book with Julie on 01889 883713.
£25 cash only. (£10 extra if dog on board)
Parking: Free.
Life Jackets: Very limited availability – please book in advance with Julie
Anchors: not available.

Ownerships boats at Great Hayward Marina
Some additional notes you may find useful.
Boats are allocated fixed berths (numbered B3 to B12), which are on the angled staging adjacent to the canal. Please moor your boat stern in.
Each berth has a water point and an electrical hook up point. Please use the water point here for filling the water tank – not the one by the pump out, which is used for flushing tanks! The electrical point for your boat has been credited with a £10 'float'. If your boat doesn't have a hook up cable, these should be available from the marina. Please note that using the shore line does not charge your batteries.
You can drive in and out of the marina at any time you choose. If you arrive 'out of hours' the electronic barrier near the canalside shop may be closed. The code to lift it is 2006. Car parking is free of charge – but please ask about leaving more than one car. The person to contact is Julie Martin on 01889 883713 (julie.martin3@btconnect.com). Opening times for the marina are 7 days a week in summer (9.00 to 17.00) and Tuesday to Sunday in winter (9.00 to 16.00). Please pick up your latest 'pink sheet' from the marina office when you arrive.
Valets need to be booked with the marina office on arrival. The cost is £25, cash only. There is a £10 surcharge if you have a dog.
Pumpouts must be carried out by marina staff. Please bring your boat to the pumpout (and diesel) point with the pumpout ports alongside the wharf. Pumpouts cost £15 for one tank, £25 for both tanks.
A very limited number of life jackets is available for hire from the marina at £2 a week. Anchors are not available for hire or loan from this marina.
Please take care not to cause nuisance or disturbance to other moorers. Dogs must be kept on a lead at all times, and no fishing is allowed in the marina. Please use the recycling and refuse disposal point provided.
The marina has rules restricting what may be kept on the roofs of boats – no bicycles, boxes, bags of coal, etc. – and tv aerials should not be more than 1 metre above the boat roof. Only smokeless fuel (eg Taybrite) may be burnt in stoves. Gas bottles may only be stored on boats in designated, vented and drained gas lockers, and no liquid fuel may be kept on boats except in the fuel tank.
The marina provides the valeting, pumpout, fuel and gas services in addition to the mooring, and limited chandlery supplies are available from the marina office. All other servicing is provided by the separate Great Haywood Marine Services Ltd. based in the workshop building (01889 566628 or mail@ghmarineservices.co.uk). If you have any mechanical problems while you are out, please contact the Ownerships help line in the usual way.
It is the owners' responsibility to take empty gas bottles out of gas lockers and to put new ones in. When connecting gas bottles, please use a suitable gas leak detection liquid to make sure the union is gas tight. Please note that it is also the owners' responsibility to ensure that there is suitable oil and grease on board and to fill the stern tube greaser as necessary. It will only be checked by Marine Services staff when the engine is serviced.
Your Ownerships local manager is Andrew Cooley, phone 01782 560591, mobile 07921 289504, email ownerships@andrewcooley.co.uk. Local managers are generally available only on Fridays.

Map, Great Haywood Marina

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WORCESTER

Worcester (Viking Afloat), Lowesmoor Wharf, Lowesmoor WR1 2RS
http://www.viking-afloat.com/routes2.htm

Local Ownerships Manager
TBA

Marina Contact:
Brian Legge Tel: 01905 734 160
Fax: 01905 723 676
Mobile. 07977 959 881

Directions by Car

http://www.theaa.com/

General Information

Days of Operation: 7 days a week
Opening Times: 8.30 –17.00
Out of Hours Access: Need BW key
Valet: Available. Contact Brian or Gill; phone in advance -£40 +vat. Cheques. Payable to Alvechurch Boat Centres
Parking: Free
Life Jackets: Available
Anchors: Available –please book in advance

Map, Worcester

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