Burton-upon-Trent Mooring recommendations

[Martin Megson]

Hi,

In view of responses to my questions re moorings on the Caldon near Hanley Park I'm now looking at alternative locations for my nephew and his partner (both novices) who are using my boat for the first week in July. Shobnall basin looks promising. Again any advice or recommendations gratefully received.

[Richard T]

Moorings are good at Branston Water Park and Shobnall Fields.

[Flyboy]

Hi,

In view of responses to my questions re moorings on the Caldon near Hanley Park I'm now looking at alternative locations for my nephew and his partner (both novices) who are using my boat for the first week in July. Shobnall basin looks promising. Again any advice or recommendations gratefully received.

 

If you are looking for a secure mooring then alternatives could be Mercia marina at Willington or Barton Turns Marina. I think space is limited in Shobnal basin.

[jelunga]

The people who run Shobnall Basin are very helpful. We stayed there for a week whilst flood gates at Shardlow were closed. They have re-opened the Chandlery and will gave a small cafe there. Electricity, water, diesel and pump out available. Near to Marstons brewery for a visitor attraction. I can recommend if that is the type of mooring you want.

Jeanette, the owner, will always find a space and being a small business they need the business!

Edited June 23, 2012 by jelunga

[Martin Megson]

The people who run Shobnall Basin are very helpful. We stayed there for a week whilst flood gates at Shardlow were closed. They have re-opened the Chandlery and will gave a small cafe there. Electricity, water, diesel and pump out available. Near to Marstons brewery for a visitor attraction. I can recommend if that is the type of mooring you want.

Jeanette, the owner, will always find a space and being a small business they need the business!

 

Thanks. Sounds ideal.

[benfordboy]

Thanks. Sounds ideal.

 

Are you looking for moorings to leave the boat unattended for days, or just nice moorings for the family whilst they use the boat?

 

If the latter , then Alrewas, Branston Bridge (by the pub) & Stenson are a good choice - We personally prefer to moor outside of B-O-T as we prefer the out of town moorings!

 

Morrisons is a easy walk thru the jitty just below Branston lock (By the brewery), be careful about leaving the boat unattended tho as there has been a couple of thefts from boats left there on short term shopping trips !!

Edited June 23, 2012 by benfordboy

[Billw]

Perhaps the Coventry/Birmingham and Fazely from Fradley is worth considering. Miles of very scenic cruising , nice safe moorings near good pubs, no locks and even a theme park.

Edited June 23, 2012 by Billw

[BruceinSanity]

Moorings are good at Branston Water Park and Shobnall Fields.

 

Agree with Branston, great spot. Shobnall Fields is on the walking route from a couple of housing estates to the town centre, and has been known to have problems at the weekend with drunks attacking the boats. The moorings by Shobnall Basin are generally quieter.

 

We normally moor at Branston, and then come right through to some nice towpath moorings just before Bridge 25, quiet with a view over a flooded gravel pit now a nature reserve. If you want to moor at Willington, turn up early - all the good moorings fill up by early afternoon, and the further out ones are right by the railway line.

 

Alternatively, use the visitor moorings in the marina, of course.

 

(Declaration of interest, we moor at Mercia, but have no commercial links with them.)

[Guest]

If traffic noise bothers (it doesn't us) be aware that you are often not far away from the A38 for a significant part of the run down into, through and out of Burton. We liked mooring just along from Horningglow Basin but it is nearest one of the busiest bits of the A38.

 

Further down towards Dallow Lock is quieter.

 

Branston Water Park is nice but unless they have cut the off-side vegetation back since we were last there it is very tight and you risk being clipped, particularly if you are nearer the pub (the name of which escapes me).

 

It's a longish walk back into Burton but between the A38 (Ordish) bridge and Branston Lock is a very nice spot - far enough away from the traffic.

 

Some nice spots as well around the Barton Turn area, and not forgetting Wychnor and Alrewas which easily for me are the best spots on that bit of the T&M...

 

 

 

..

Edited June 24, 2012 by MJG

[BruceinSanity]

 

Branston Water Park is nice but unless they have cut the off-side vegetation back since we were last there it is very tight and you risk being clipped, particularly if you are nearer the pub (the name of which escapes me).

 

 

It's better than it was, especially by the Water Park itself. The best VMs are through the bridge from the pub, The Bridge, rings on the piling and reasonably wide outside you.

 

Pub specialises in Italian food, and is a sort of reverse Tardis, being smaller inside than it looks from the outside, somehow.

[Guest]

It's better than it was, especially by the Water Park itself.

 

This pic. from Wiki certainly shows it better than I remember it...

 

 

And yes - I should have remembered the pub which is next to a bridge was called - 'The Bridge'

[Martin Megson]

Are you looking for moorings to leave the boat unattended for days, or just nice moorings for the family whilst they use the boat?

 

If the latter , then Alrewas, Branston Bridge (by the pub) & Stenson are a good choice - We personally prefer to moor outside of B-O-T as we prefer the out of town moorings!

 

Morrisons is a easy walk thru the jitty just below Branston lock (By the brewery), be careful about leaving the boat unattended tho as there has been a couple of thefts from boats left there on short term shopping trips !!

 

Hi,

Thanks for the tips.

 

I'm just looking for a safe quiet mooring while the family have the boat for a few days. Having spoken again to my nephew he's actually looking for a quiet village mooring, I thought he wanted something a bit busier. I'm moored at Rugeley tonight and will have a run up tomorrow to have a look at Alewas - its looks ideal.

[Guest]

Hi,

Thanks for the tips.

 

I'm just looking for a safe quiet mooring while the family have the boat for a few days. Having spoken again to my nephew he's actually looking for a quiet village mooring, I thought he wanted something a bit busier. I'm moored at Rugeley tonight and will have a run up tomorrow to have a look at Alewas - its looks ideal.

 

It's great but can get busy, aim to get there early afternoon. Best moorings are between the two bridges or just after Alrewas lock and before the first bridge.

 

Nice pubs within walking distance, along with a decent shop (Co-op), decent chippy and a really great butchers.

 

Ithink the max in the village though is 48 hours not a few days. Any longer will I reckon will need to be on the towpath as you go out the village towards Fradley.

[jelunga]

Hi,

Thanks for the tips.

 

I'm just looking for a safe quiet mooring while the family have the boat for a few days. Having spoken again to my nephew he's actually looking for a quiet village mooring, I thought he wanted something a bit busier. I'm moored at Rugeley tonight and will have a run up tomorrow to have a look at Alewas - its looks ideal.

 

Alrewas is great. Good Butchers, excellant Indian Restaurant at the top lock that used to be a pub. Three pubs and a chinese takeaway, and a reasonable Co-op. If you moor near the church there is a footbridge across to the village.

[BruceinSanity]

 

Ithink the max in the village though is 48 hours not a few days. Any longer will I reckon will need to be on the towpath as you go out the village towards Fradley.

 

There's a 14 day section between Hangman's Bridge (the footbridge) and Kent's Bridge (the one that carries the King's Bromley Road), alongside the bowling green. Or, as you say, there's the unrestricted length above Bagnall Lock.

 

Alrewas is indeed one of the all time great canal villages; the only thing it lacks is rubbish disposal, so make sure you dump any rubbish either at Fradley or Oakamoor Cafe, depending on direction of travel.

[Guest]

There's a 14 day section between Hangman's Bridge (the footbridge) and Kent's Bridge (the one that carries the King's Bromley Road), alongside the bowling green. Or, as you say, there's the unrestricted length above Bagnall Lock.

 

Noted cheers.

[benfordboy]

Above Bagnall is our usual mooring when around Alrewas , Not too far to be a nuisance from the village , but much quieter.

 

If there are any fisherman amongst you (Oh no another can of worms....) There are many big carp to be caught in this area, Once dusk comes it is possible to catch fish to 30lbs ! (Birmingham Angling - If you are unlucky you may have to pay a day ticket)

[Midnight Rider]

Alrewas is indeed one of the all time great canal villages; the only thing it lacks is rubbish disposal, so make sure you dump any rubbish either at Fradley or Oakamoor Cafe, depending on direction of travel.

Yes, & like the other thread on the go, the lazy buggers amongst us see fit to leave their rubbish by the dog poo bin on the tow path.

[Guest]

Yes, & like the other thread on the go, the lazy buggers amongst us see fit to leave their rubbish by the dog poo bin on the tow path.

 

[benfordboy]

Yes, & like the other thread on the go, the lazy buggers amongst us see fit to leave their rubbish by the dog poo bin on the tow path.

 

Its a major annoyance to us , we have a little GRP cruiser with limited space , but have never left rubbish anywhere , Not in a BW boat , not by a dog bin , not even in a public litter bin.

 

Its not so hard to keep yr rubbish aboard until you reach a BW disposal surely ???????????

[Martin Megson]

Thanks for the great tips. I moored yesterday at Alrewas in the 14 day section between bridges 47 & 48. Very pleasant moorings and handy for the local pubs, takeaways and shops. My nephew is not due till Monday so I'll have a little run up to Burton-on-Trent to pass a couple of days and empty the rubbish & cassette.

Edited June 26, 2012 by Meggers

[Guest]

Thanks for the great tips. I moored yesterday at Alrewas in the 14 day section between bridges 47 & 48. Very pleasant moorings and handy for the local pubs, takeaways and shops. My nephew is not due till Monday so I'll have a little run up to Burton-on-Trent to pass a couple of days and empty the rubbish & cassette.

 

Willington it is then....unless the marina at Barton allow it (and they may charge)

[Martin Megson]

Willington it is then....unless the marina at Barton allow it (and they may charge)

 

Thanks for the tip. I cruised up to Willington to pass a day and found it a very pleasant little village mooring - despite the rain.

Decided it was ideal so I have left my nephew on the boat today. He plans to have a gentle cruise back to Alrewas, probably stopping overnight at Branston bridge.

 

Thanks again to all for your help - If you happen to see Mr Bunbury heading along that stretch of the Trent & Mersey give him a wide berth