There’s nothing like first-hand experience and word of mouth recommendations for finding the best moorings in your local area. So I asked a couple of Boatshed brokers what are their favourite inland moorings and why.

1) The Ramsholt Arms, Suffolk

Alan Nash from Boatshed Suffolk has a Westerly Konsort Called Janeva which he tends to sail around the east coast at every opportunity, mainly heading for the small hide-away places, ending up at a pub for refreshments and sustenance. He doesn’t have many inland waterways near him but enjoys boating on the River Debden.

“We quite often go to a swinging mooring at Ramsholt, and visit the pub The Ramsholt Arms. There is nothing but good food, good beer and wine - never had a bad meal! The views are fantastic and it is far enough up river to possibly count as an inland waterway mooring!”

The Ramsholt Arms is a very popular riverside pub. Being the only south facing pub on the river, it enjoys beautiful sunsets and welcomes holiday-makers, families and sailors to relax on the sun soaked terrace, neighbouring beach and crab fishing jetty. In the summer they offer a variety of fresh locally caught seafood, sharing platters and a real American barbeque at weekends. Then, when Autumn approaches the menu features hearty winter warming dishes, taking advantage of game from the local area.

2) Tring Reservoirs, Hertfordshire

Phil Bassett from Boatshed Grand Union enjoys travelling the canals with his wife Lynn, on their narrowboat Persephone.

“One of our favourite moorings is Marsworth, just above the bottom lock opposite the reservoir, on the off-side. The scenery is wonderful and the walks, either up and down the flight or around the various reservoirs are beautiful. There are good pubs in Marsworth and the neighbouring villages, as well as the farm shop with cafe nearby. It’s also a short bus ride to Tring for the shops and the incredible Natural History museum.”

Phil’s choice has to be one of my favourites too! I love Marsworth, and in fact I lived there on a residential mooring for a couple of years. I am fond of much of the southern Grand Union, and the spot that Phil mentions is extremely close to Bluebells Tea Rooms: a late 18th Century Lock Keepers Cottage offering welcome ice-creams on hot summer’s days.

3) Roydon, Essex

Apart from the reservoirs around Tring, I also loved cruising on the winding River Stort in Essex. Sawbridgeworth is a very pretty little town: Much of the town centre is a conservation area and many of the buildings date from the Tudor, Stuart and Georgian periods. We liked to moor quite close to the station underneath a beautiful willow tree. But my favourite mooring on the Stort would have to be beside a wild flower meadow called Hunsdon Mead, just outside the village of Roydon. You have the illusion of being moored in the middle of nowhere, yet you are just a short walk from the railway station, and a couple of lovely, cosy, country pubs. Roydon Lock House offers hot and cold drinks, ice-creams, calor gas, coal, logs and firelighters for boaters, plus a friendly and warm welcome.

Our brokers sell inland and river boats all over the UK and further afield. As well as with Boatshed Suffolk and Boatshed Grand Union you will also find river and inland boats listed with Boatshed Medway, Boatshed London, Boatshed Thames, Boatshed Midi Canals, and Boatshed Bourgogne to name but a few of our worldwide offices.

What’s your favourite inland mooring? Let us know on Facebook.

Peggy Melmoth

PS. Become an inland broker yourself, with BoatshedBusiness.com!


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