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Sheffield and the South Yorkshire Navigation


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58 minutes ago, Arnac said:

 

Thought I would give an update on this very under used waterway and try to encourage people to make the effort to get all the way to Sheffield. Here is a brief résumé of the steps on our journey.


We started from our temporary winter mooring at Long Sandall. There are good visitor moorings here too and a little further North good CRT services at Barnby Dunn.

 
All locks from Long Sandall to Eastwood are large and automated  to accommodate the 60m long oil barge 'Exol Pride' that runs roughly twice a week between Goole and Rotherham. The locks are operated using your CRT key unless lock keepers are present.


Doncaster. Well worth a visit and exploring for a few days. Good, safe 3 day visitor moorings right  in the centre of town.


From Doncaster you quickly go through some lovely countryside on the river Don 

 

Sprotbrough. Two day visitor mooring just after Sprotbrough lock. Some wonderful walking around the area including Sprotbrough Flash nature reserve, Conisbrough Castle, Conisbrough viaduct and Cusworth Hall.


Next stop was Pastures, just after Mexborough Low Lock. Mexborough itself is a depressing town, however, where the canal passes through it is delightful and known locally as the 'Meccy Riviera'. Special mention to the Gorilla Brewery Tap room just after Station Rd Bridge. Space for two 57' NB's to moor up outside and sample the goods  Apparently you can also moor overnight here if you seek permission of the owner. 


After Mexborough there is a CRT mooring available just before Waddington lock at Swinton. We didn't stop here, but it looks safe, gated and secure with what appears to be services that are not shown on the latest Nicholson's guide. Perhaps someone could confirm?


Kilnhurst. Mooring available. No facilities. Probably ok for an overnighter.


Eastwood (Rotherham). Safe gated visitor mooring here with CRT services (shower/toilets/elsan etc) and a huge retail park nearby. However, mooring space was  limited due to some 'permanent' residents and an apparently abandoned craft with 'notice for removal' sticker on it.
From here we booked our passage on the Tinsley flight via CRT. (24hrs notice required)


Rotherham town centre (30 min walk from Eastwood) is well worth visiting. They're really making an effort to improve the town and I would encourage you to go there and see for yourselves. 


Leaving Eastwood, we stopped overnight on the lock landing before Holmes Bridge lock.(no problem with this as in the evening nobody will be descending the flight) It is from here the CRT assisted passage starts for the Tinsley flight and the lock keeper met us at 9am the following morning.


It takes around 4hrs to do the Tinsley flight. We had four excellent and friendly CRT members in attendance and they know their stuff. It's a lovely flight.


The final hour into Sheffield is very interesting and ends at Victoria Quays. A lovely terminus a short walk from the city centre. CRT seem to have handed over responsibility to CV Marine, but we never saw a single person from the company. The office was permanently closed. The showers are permanently closed. Cost is officially £50 a week to moor. Only two days visitor mooring allowed. We stayed nearly three weeks.


We loved Sheffield. First impressions are bad though as the Castlegate area near to the Quays is rough. It is a fascinating city, easy to walk, full of history and culture. The beer pub and music scene is outstanding and access to the magnificent Peak District is easy via public transport. We highly recommend it.


In the three weeks we were there only three boats arrived. One stayed overnight and left the following day having been put off by the Castlegate area. Such a shame as they missed a  lovely city.


In summary I would say this section of the system is a hidden gem and extremely under utilised. Sections of the river Don are an oasis of tree lined tranquility and most travelling days we were blissfully alone. I would encourage people to put aside any preconceived thoughts of the areas industrial reputation. Sections of the navigation are absolutely stunning. 
One caveat, just keep an eye out for the weather as the Don can flood  rapidly. 


I hope this brief synopsis is helpful. Enjoy.

 

For photos see my wife's Instagram page 'Lock and Quay'

 

Some of our favourite moorings mentioned there, including Barnby Dun and Sprotborough.

 

And yes the section of the Don after you leave the city is beautiful. Locking under the rail lines in Doncaster town lock is interesting too.

 

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  • 3 weeks later...
On 07/05/2023 at 14:25, Arnac said:

The final hour into Sheffield is very interesting and ends at Victoria Quays. A lovely terminus a short walk from the city centre. CRT seem to have handed over responsibility to CV Marine, but we never saw a single person from the company. The office was permanently closed. The showers are permanently closed. Cost is officially £50 a week to moor. Only two days visitor mooring allowed. We stayed nearly three weeks.

 
  This seams to reflect the “Not Bothered” approach with CV Marine with not only Sheffield but their other Marina’s from what I’m hearing and seeing. Also the thread below:

 4 month later still no showers and from CV Marine when they do open the cost for a shower will be £2:50 for a 2 minute Token. 
  Maybe a nice place to visit and stay for free, but not a place I fancy mooring with little if any managing from CV Marine, who seam to have no consideration for their Moorers.

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28 minutes ago, Arnac said:

Don't let that put you off. It's still a great destination.

But your seeing it from a visitor not a moorer paying £3K a year.

  Yes a nice place to visit especially with three weeks free moorings, but you must see how the paying Moorers are getting frustrated with the situation. 
  It is a nice area to visit and same with the waterways to get there. I’m highlighting like you have a bit, the total lack of management presence by CV Marine in the Marina and the total disregard they seam to have for their Permanent Moorers.

 

  

Edited by BoatinglifeupNorth
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Are the water tap and pumpout  still at Long Sandall?

 

There are/were services at Waddington Lock in a building up the top of the bank. Need a long water hose.

 

Glad to hear that Doncaster and Rotherham improving. When we spent a winter at Thorne some years ago we thought Doncaster then was dire.

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Nice report, we alway go up to Sheffield if that side of Pennines. Volockies on Tinsley always good, Dave must make them welcome. Probably the same boats that were on Eastwood lockin last year 😀

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