Droitwich to Sharpness

[robtheplod]

Hi all

 

We're hoping to do the trip from Droitwich marina to Sharpness this coming April if possible.... I know its all dependent on the Severn at the time but if I recall i also need to be aware of tides around Gloucester?  I've googled but it all seems to relate to the bore - not sure thats it? Is there a place i can get all the info needed?

 

thanks!!

 

rob

[Russ T]

https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/canals-and-rivers/gloucester-and-sharpness-canal/sharpness-port

 

I would have thought the Gloucester lock keeper would be a good contact.

[Francis Herne]

Tide forecasts for Sharpness at https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/coast-and-sea/tide-tables/12/522a

 

High spring tides over 7.8m, usually for a few days around new or full moons, will overtop the weirs at Gloucester and cause the river to flow upstream. Very high ones to well past Tewkesbury. The outgoing tide is correspondingly strong.

 

You can steer clear of those days altogether, or take advantage of it by leaving Gloucester just before the tide turns so you travel upriver with it. The tide reaches Maisemore weir about an hour after high water at Sharpness, and you must be out of the parting by then. Leave some time to spare (which you'll spend going almost backwards around Ashleworth) then the tide catches you up and takes you quite rapidly upstream.

 

Going downstream on a falling tide is possible but a bit scary, especially when you get to Gloucester to find some trees have got there first. Not sure I'd do that again.

 

In either case check with Gloucester lock keeper for advice on times and to check the lock/parting aren't obstructed by debris which is very common. Call again when approaching the parting so they can have the gates open for you. Stopping on the chains above the lock isn't easy if there's a flow.

 

Be aware of the shortage of moorings below Worcester - in particular, the one at Ashleworth is now closed, and Haw Bridge pontoon only holds one full-length boat or a couple of cruisers, so you can't rely on mooring anywhere between Lower Lode and Gloucester. Tewkesbury is all paid-for and needs an ANT license, Upton is often full in the summer although breasting up is common (but April is probably fine).

Edited December 27, 2024 by Francis Herne

[robtheplod]

thanks for the replies... i thought i needed to plan this and looks like i was right.... !!

[Russ T]

We did the trip from stourport to sharpness many moons ago. It was a lovely experience. The best source of info was from the lock keepers. As long as the weather is good, it''ll be fine. I think the bit we were most apprehensive about was waiting for, and entering Gloucester lock, as we had heard it was a bit tricky. It was fine in the end.

[Rob-M]

I just used to avoid the immediate days around the full moon and never had any issues.  Travelling to Gloucester when the river was on amber made for a quick trip but interesting stopping on the wall at Gloucester lock.

[blackrose]

21 hours ago, robtheplod said:

thanks for the replies... i thought i needed to plan this and looks like i was right.... !!

 

I didn't do much planning to go onto the Severn at Gloucester to go upstream to Tewkesbury. All I did was chat to the lockkeeper after mooring up in Gloucester the day before. After you've been out on the estuary and come into Sharpness you don't worry about the Severn so much.

[robtheplod]

We leave Droitwich on Saturday and the weather so far looks quite promising!!!!.... no floods anyway.... Bevere Lock still looks like its closed so we wont be able to cut across to the Severn from Droitwich but thats no problem as the Worcester route is nice in itself.

 

Regarding tides/currents etc is it best to avoid Gloucester lock at specific times?  We should be well back by 13th April when the next Full moon is so that shouldn't be an issue.   Is it best arrive when the tide is coming in our out?  i'm guessing in but just on the change?  I'm probably worrying about this too much but will have a full contingent of family so don't want to look the complete amateur..   

[Francis Herne]

Assuming you mean Saturday 5th it shouldn't matter, the Sharpness tide forecast predicts the last tide high enough to go over the weir to be Thursday night.

 

Best to phone the Gloucester lock keeper to check, they're the experts.

 

In any case you should call before heading downstream from Lower Lode; the parting can be obstructed by trees washed down the river and now Ashleworth has gone it's a long way without a reliable mooring. Then again at the parting to have the lock gates ready.

 

(the following is very much amateur/secondhand advice and you should check with someone else):

When I went down on a tide it was fairly early on the ebb at Haw Bridge, still flowing out fast through the parting on arrival. Advice was to stay well out of the parting at change of tide as the flow over weirs at both ends causes very confused currents. You wouldn't want to stem the tide in either direction for any distance in a narrowboat.

[Rob-M]

As Francis said the stretch down to Gloucester is only tidal if the Sharpness tide is high enough to top the weirs so you should be fine.  Contacting Gloucester lock before going in to the partings is important especially if something big is leaving Gloucester as you don't want to meet in a narrow bit and they should hopefully open the lock for you ready but be prepared to stop on the chains on the wall as you come round the last bend as I've found the gates closed even though the lock keeper has told me they would be open.

[Richard T]

You can moor at Tewksbury for free. If you go past the Avon lock entrance the wall on the right is not part of the Avon. We moored there in both directions last year and were not told by anyone to leave or asked for any money which we would have gladly paid.

Do stop at Slimbridge and visit the wild fowl centre, its not far to walk and very interesting. One of the shops mentioned in the guides at Sharpness has closed.

[Graham Davis]

And I understand you can join the Sharpness Dockers Club very cheaply, and they seem to have a good selection of beer normally.
It's a great shame the Berkeley Hunt at Purton closed many years ago. I spent many a happy hour there with Kath and her sons.

[Rob-M]

41 minutes ago, Richard T said:

You can moor at Tewksbury for free. If you go past the Avon lock entrance the wall on the right is not part of the Avon. We moored there in both directions last year and were not told by anyone to leave or asked for any money which we would have gladly paid.

Do stop at Slimbridge and visit the wild fowl centre, its not far to walk and very interesting. One of the shops mentioned in the guides at Sharpness has closed.

The Avon extends out to the junction with the Severn and when mooring on the wall below the lock you are supposed to go and pay the lock keeper the same as mooring above the lock.  You just don't have to pay for an ANT license if you don't go through the lock.

[Francis Herne]

52 minutes ago, Richard T said:

You can moor at Tewksbury for free. If you go past the Avon lock entrance the wall on the right is not part of the Avon. We moored there in both directions last year and were not told by anyone to leave or asked for any money which we would have gladly paid.

The mooring rights on that wall were bought a couple of years ago by 'The Merchants of Venice' who now say they want £12.50 per night. Perhaps enforcement is lax but I heard of some people being asked to pay last summer. https://www.themov.co.uk/mooring-terms

 

ANT had an agreement with the previous owner to collect mooring fees which lapsed before it was sold. They did bid on it but didn't get the rights.

Unless it's all changed again since the last time I asked.

Edited March 30 by Francis Herne

[Richard T]

8 minutes ago, Francis Herne said:

The mooring rights on that wall were bought a couple of years ago by 'The Merchants of Venice' who now say they want £12.50 per night. Perhaps enforcement is lax but I heard of some people being asked to pay last summer. https://www.themov.co.uk/mooring-terms

 

ANT had an agreement with the previous owner to collect mooring fees which lapsed before it was sold. They did bid on it but didn't get the rights.

Unless it's all changed again since the last time I asked.

There were no signs indicating that a charge was payable. We would happily have paid as we wanted to visit the town.

[Graham Davis]

Since those mooring fees go to a good cause, perhaps you might consider it?
 

ALL Mooring fee's go towards Creating Happy Days 

Free Trips & Days Out for children & their families coping with Cancer.

All Boats & Barges

*Day Charge *£10.00 per day or any part of * 

*Overnight Charges, Narrow boats,Wide beams & all Hire boats £12.50*

 

Paypal & Bank Payments      

 Lee Austin: Sort code 778550 Account no16640568 Lloyds bank    

   Paypal account:pay into this account: Lee.karla@blueyonder.co.uk

   *Reference your boat name on all payments*

If you need a receipt pay by PayPal or bank transfer

THANK YOU to the lovely people who pay promptly & those that have paid extra to support our charitable intentions, you truly lead by example & are always welcome back. Heaven see's all the good you do...

So we truly wish you the best! 

Note: Camping costs £20/25+ per night with no hook up.

This small mooring fee helps those in need find Happy Days on the water too, 

Respite for front line services, Palliative care, Fire & Police struggling with PTSD.

 

Illegitimi non carborundum.

Stay focused on the good deeds... Faith to do good for others is a beautiful vision...

 

NOTE: None Payers: theft is a criminal offence so will be reported to police every time,

including your boat Name & No.  Non Payers Please Do Not Return

[robtheplod]

Just an update arrived at Gloucester Docks yesterday - lovely weather and no issues with currents/flow etc.... lock keepers were all lovely especially the Gloucester Lock chap!

 

Awoke today to the news Diglis lock is now closed, so we have no way back currently, lets hope that gets sorted!

[Francis Herne]

There'd be no problem of course if the small lock hadn't been closed for almost a year. I'm wondering if they've quietly decided to abandon it like the Weaver ones.

 

Customer forum on Thursday ironically at Diglis, I will ask the obvious questions if someone else doesn't get them in first...

Edited April 7 by Francis Herne

[robtheplod]

57 minutes ago, Francis Herne said:

There'd be no problem of course if the small lock hadn't been closed for almost a year. I'm wondering if they've quietly decided to abandon it like the Weaver ones.

 

Customer forum on Thursday ironically at Diglis, I will ask the obvious questions if someone else doesn't get them in first...

i hope they dont abandon now...

[Francis Herne]

9 minutes ago, robtheplod said:

i hope they dont abandon now...

Diglis like the Weaver locks has a (relatively!) small and large lock side-by-side.

 

All the Weaver pairs have one permanently out of use. Both at Diglis were working until last winter, but the small lock has been out of use for a year with no apparent plan to repair it leaving no redundancy for when the large lock has problems.

 

I fear the small lock may have been permanently abandoned; the large lock will presumably be repaired fairly soon.

 

Edited April 7 by Francis Herne

[robtheplod]

Just planning ahead here.... if Diglis remains closed would i be permitted to stay longer in Gloucester since there are few moorings on the Severn, and those that are available will almost certainly be taken with those caught out last minute by the closure?

[frangar]

2 minutes ago, robtheplod said:

Just planning ahead here.... if Diglis remains closed would i be permitted to stay longer in Gloucester since there are few moorings on the Severn, and those that are available will almost certainly be taken with those caught out last minute by the closure?

I don’t think that would be unreasonable at all. Either have a word with the lockies or phone customer services and explain the situation. Mind you last time we got stuck at Gloucester due to high river levels I went back up towards saul for a few days…less seagulls to wake you up! 

[robtheplod]

Apart from CRT website, are there any facebook groups etc which might have any info on this as we'll be heading back soon....

[frangar]

@robtheplod It seems Diglis is now reopened.....Trying to find out about whats going on with the small lock.

 

[robtheplod]

We're back!

 

We had an absolutely brilliant time - the weather made such a difference but Gloucester/Worcester and Sharpness are all lovely! I'm sure most on here have done this trip but if anyone hasn't it's definitely worth it. We did the cathedral tours at Worcester & Gloucester and visited the boat graveyard at Purton and looked around Sharpness docks (as much as you're allowed). Gloucester docks is an excellent place to moor, but we found Gloucester itself had higher than average 'just eat' delivery bikes and large groups sitting around drunk in the town which was a little unsettling - best stick to the docks! (first time that's been said I'm sure!). Thanks to CRT for causing a bit of worry by closing Diglis locks for a few days but in the end it didn't impact us. We were surprised how quiet everywhere was - i was the only boat on Diglis landings - usually we have to fight to get on here!

 

Some pics: