Wigrams Turn Marina Grand Union / Oxford Canal

Ventnor Marina Grand Union Canal

Kings Bromley Marina Trent & Mersey Canal

Nottingham Castle Marina Nottingham Canal

Buckden Marina River Great Ouse

3www.castlemarinas.co.uk

Welcome to the

Marina Locations 4Safety: In & Around the Marinas 5Wigrams Turn Marina 6Wigrams Turn Caravan Park 10Wigrams Turn & Ventnor 12 Cruising Routes

Ventnor Marina 14Moorers Benefits 18Kings Bromley Marina 20Kings Bromley Cruising Routes 23FEATURE: Beds on Board 24Castle Marinas Chronicle: News 26Castle Marinas Events 2016 27Nottingham Castle Marina 28Nottingham Castle Cruising Routes 31Buckden Marina 34Buckden Cruising Routes 37

Contents

At Castle Marinas our ethos is to provide a safe, secure and enjoyable berthing environment for all our customers whether you are a visitor or an annual moorer.

This marina guide provides the information you need to help you during your stay with Castle Marinas Ltd at any one of our five inland marinas.

Each of our marinas is unique and offers individual benefits. From city centre mooring in the heart of Nottingham to the wonderful countryside locations of Ventnor, Wigrams and Kings Bromley and the leafy riverside location of Buckden. Each caters for differing boating needs from narrowboats and wide beam boats to share boats, hire boats and river cruisers.

What sets Castle Marinas apart from other marinas, asides from the option of flexiberthing (visiting our sister marinas at no extra cost), are our brilliant staff, who are there exclusively for our customers needs and are themselves passionate and proud of their marinas.

We are continuously striving to add value to our marinas (we measure customer satisfaction regularly) and we pride ourselves that many moorers stay with us year after year, but we also love to welcome new customers, so we look forward to being of service to you and your boat in 2016 and we hope that you enjoy your stay with us.

Happy Boating

4 5www.castlemarinas.co.uk

In & Around the MarinasMarinas LocationsAt Castle Marinas our primary function is to offer safe, secure and enjoyable boating to all our customers. In this respect, we would like to draw your attention to the following matters. For your own safety and comfort and that of the other marina users.

Pontoons are slippery when wet or icy. Please take care and wear suitable footwear. Please also take extra care at night and in strong winds. Cluttering pontoons and walkways can also be hazardous.

Children should be supervised at all times on the marina and must not ride in the trollies. Life jackets are advisable.

We also welcome dogs but expect you to supervise and clean up after them.

HEALTH & SAFETY

In the event of an emergency, contact the marina office immediately. You may want to make a note of the out of hours contact number. Harbourmasters are on duty seven days a week and contactable 24/7.

Life rings and extinguishers are located around the Marina. There is a first aid station at the Marina Office.

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

We check the facilities every day and our cleaners endeavour to them spotless. Please leave them as you find them and turn lights off as you leave, Report any issues to the Marina Office.

Laundry tokens and/or access codes are available at the Marina Office at each site.

TOILETS, SHOWERS & LAUNDRY

Please check the marina layout plan for the location of these facilities. The Marina Office can provide you with opening hours and the best positioning of your boat.

We ask that all our customers are considerate to the other marina users when taking on fuel. Smoking is strictly prohibited in these areas.

PUMP OUT, DIESEL, BOTTLED GAS & FUEL

Our staff are there to help you. If you doubt your ability to manoeuvre your boat in the prevailing conditions do alert the Harbourmasters who will be happy to assist. Any damage to pontoons, facilities or boats should be reported to the Harbourmasters immediately.

Please do not allow oil contaminated bilge effluent to be discharged into the marina. Be aware that hot central heating or engine exhausts can scorch wooden pontoons.

DAMAGE TO THE MARINA

Please observe the marina speed limits (and one way systems where applicable), and be aware of pedestrians, cyclists and wildlife. We provide parking areas around our sites to allow easy access to boats. If you are away for an extended cruising period, please park in the main car parks. For Wigrams, please ask at the marina office where to park during these periods.

CARS IN THE MARINA

Please help to keep the marina clean and tidy by using the refuse disposal and recycling facilities correctly.

WASTE DISPOSAL

A full copy of the Marina Rules and Regulations is available on request.Thank you for your cooperation.

1. Wigrams Turn Marina 01926 817175 info@wigramsturnmarina.co.uk At the junction of the Grand Union and Oxford Canals in Southam, Warwickshire

2. Ventnor Marina 01926 815023 info@ventnor-marina.co.uk On the Grand Union Canal near Rugby in Warwickshire

3. Kings Bromley Marina 01543 417209 suepoynton@kingsbromleymarina.co.uk On the Trent and Mersey Canal at Lichfield, Staffordshire

4. Nottingham Castle Marina 0115 941 2672 info@nottinghamcastlemarina.co.uk In the heart of Nottingham City centre

5. Buckden Marina 01480 812660 info@buckdenmarina.co.uk Next to the Great River Ouse near Huntingdon, Cambridge

6

Welcome to

Wigrams Turn Marina

Desirable due to location and facilities, Wigrams Turn has every boating need covered for narrowboats, wide beam boats and share boats alike. Set in the heart of the Warwickshire countryside, yet within easy access of motorways, it offers the perfect base for exploring the Warwickshire ring as well as the Grand Union and Oxford Canals, providing 300 miles of cruising.

Wigrams is located at Napton Junction where the Grand Union and Oxford canals meet and only three locks away from sister marina, Ventnor (handy for Castle’s flexibertholders).

It is a popular liveaboard marina, with a real community feel, combining a glorious rural setting with fantastic onsite facilities including a shop, laundry, housekeeping and engineering services.

With the towns of Southam, Leamington Spa, Daventry and Rugby just down the road and only 20 minutes from the M40, M42, M1 and M6, Wigrams really does offer the full package.

The 225 narrow boat moorings, several for wide beam berths, are set in thoughtfully landscaped grounds with picnic benches, a separate dog walking area and a garden for marina social events and the personal use of berth holders.

We are also pleased to welcome visitors to our caravan and camping site which is now fully open and accepting guests in 2016 (See page 12 for further details).

Wigrams is home to several syndicate and share boats, as well as a fleet of Black Prince hire boats offering holidays and short breaks and Great Haywood Boat Sales.

Resident harbourmasters and electronic security gates provide peace of mind for our customers, making Wigrams Turn a safe, secure and understandably popular marina to call home.

Marina Office & Facilities

Great Haywood Boats Sales Office

Waste Bins

Fuel & Pump Out

Winding Hole

To Ventnor Marina

Leamington & Warwick

To Braunston

Grand Union Canal

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Grand U

nion Canal

Oxford Canal

Overflow Carpark

Camping Field

Dog Walking Field

A425 Shuckburgh Rd

Arguably the best inland marina location in the UK

The facilities are excellent too!

To Napton

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Marina InformationAsst. Marina Manager

Karen Carr

Wigrams Turn MarinaShuckburgh RoadNapton on the HillSouthamWarwickshire CV47 8NL

Tel: 01926 817175 Harbour masters: 07547 524113Email: info@wigramsturnmarina.co.uk

Lee Cooper Blair

Marina Manager

Police 01788 541111South Warks Hospital 01926 495321Doctors Surgery 01926 812577Avondale Vet Centre 01926 812826Chemist (Taylors) 01926 812287

Useful Numbers

Our staff at Wigrams Turn really care about our customers boating needs. We are also fortunate to have staff living onsite for extra safety and security.

In a recent customer survey:

Here’s what our customers think in their own words:

I have been impressed with the staff and believe that in Lee and Karen you have an ideal team. These two ladies display a real interest in the moorers with genuine concern and empathy, a trait seldom found these days.I would unreservedly recommend this marina as i believe that the atmosphere that has been created is beyond price.Mike O’Gorman, Scarlett Louise

We have moored our Narrowboat here since it opened. Do we need to say anymore?

of customers described the customer service at Wigrams Turn as GOOD or EXCELLENT.

gexplore BRITAIN...onboard our premier flee

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HOLIDAYSNARROWBOAT

01527 575 115www.black-prince.com

Discover a new way to holiday...

Castle Marina Year Book_Layout 1 05/01/2016 09:41 Page 1

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*There are 2 pitches with electricity available. This is charegable at an additional £3 per night.

Tariff Per Night Per StayMon - Thurs £10.00*Fri, Sat, Sun £12.00*5 Nights £50.00*Dogs (each) £2.00 £7.50

We are a pet friendly site - however dogs must be kept on a lead. Please respect that this marina is occupied by long term moorers and abide by the signage and terms and conditions.

FACILITIES & SERVICES Showers & toilets (male/female/disabled) Wifi - low usage, basic package (subject to policy)

Security gates (fob £20 deposit) Marina Office and shop Free Elsan disposal Laundry washers & dryers (coin operated) Cylinder gas Resident Harbourmaster Dog walking field

BOOKING Prior booking is advised as places are limited. Maximum length of stay is 5 days, unless authorised in advance by the Marina Manager. All guests are asked to check in at the Marina Office on arrival at the site. Security gates close at 17:30 and open at 0800 each day.

ARRIVALS NEED TO BE WITHIN THE MARINA OFFICE OPENING HOURS

Monday/Tuesday 0900 - 1700 Thursday/Friday Wednesday 0900 - 1300Saturday 0800 - 1600Sunday 0800 - 1500Bank Holidays 1000 - 1600

The caravan and camping field at Wigrams Turn Marina is now fully open and has the capacity for 10 touring caravans or a combination of caravans, campers and tents.

Campers can enjoy views of the marina and the surrounding countryside, whilst benefitting from some of the marina services and facilities.

Our location on the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire border is ideal for exploring the towns of Rugby, Leamington, Warwick and Daventry.

Alternatively, for those seeking the fresh air of the great outdoors, there are a choice walking and cycling routes nearby.

Wigrams Turn Caravan Park

Tel: 01926 813757 Web: www.calcuttboats.comChandlery/Online Shop (next day delivery): www.calcuttboatsshop.com

• Hull blacking - £200 to slip the boat, then from £6 per foot length (Bitumen)

• Stern gear/bow thruster checks

•Tunnelflash/tumblehome(freshened)

• Valuations/slipping for surveys

• BSS Examinations

• Chandlery and onaline shop

• Engine servicing/rebuilding etc...

Calcutt Boats Ltd Stockton, Southam

WarwarkshireCV47 8HX

Napton Village Stores & Post OfficeNew Street, Napton. CV47 8LR 01926 812488

info@naptonvillagestores.co.uk www.naptonvillagestores.co.uk

Napton KitchenEat in or takeaway

Freshly ground coffeeTwining teas

Homemade cakesSeasonal lunch menus

served dailyFresh filled rolls

Hot pastriesFree Wifi

Bespoke outside catering

Our SuppliersNapton Water Buffalo

Red Banger MeatsNapton HoneySkylarks Eggs

Tiny Seeds Mustards & Pickles

Cottage DelightMiranda’s Preserves

Cotswolds FinestArtisan Drinks

Post OfficePostal service

Post Office card accountCash deposit & withdrawalPostal orders

Electronic bill paymente top-ups

Foreign currencyLottery

Village StoresLocal farm foods

BakeryOff license

TobacconistNewsagentCalor gas

Coal & kindlingGarden plants

GroceriesHampers & gifts

Napton Village Stores_Half.indd 1 21/12/2015 11:30

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A Market Bosworth B Battle of Bosworth Battlefield C Coventry Cathedral D Canalside Golf Course E Drayton Manor Park & Zoo F Gas Street Basin

Bullring Shopping Centre

International Convention Centre

National Sea Life Centre

Think Tank

Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery G Cadbury World H Warwick Castle I Stratford Upon Avon

Shakespeare Theatre

Butterfly Safari

Museum

Ann Hathaway’s Cottage

Mary Arden’s House J Claydon ‘Bygones’ Museum K Banbury

Castle Quay Shopping Centre

Tooley’s Historic Boatyard & Chandlery

Floating Restaurant L Blenheim Palace M Thrupp N Oxford

University of Oxford

Bodleian Library

Ashmolean Museum

Botanic Gardens

Covered Markets O Weedon Antiques Centre P Blisworth Tunnel Q Stoke Bruerne Waterways Museum

Wigrams Turn, situated in Napton, at the head of the Oxford Canal and Ventnor, on the Grand Union Canal both provide excellent bases to explore a large number of interesting routes.

The Warwickshire Ring, for the more energetic and experienced, contrasts the beautiful countryside around Warwick with city life and industry through Birmingham and Spaghetti Junction.

For those seeking beauty and a touch of history and culture, there is plenty on offer, including Stratford Upon Avon, Oxford, Snarestone, or a visit to the Waterways Museum at Stoke Bruerne, depending on the number of locks you wish to negotiate.

13www.castlemarinas.co.uk

NAPTON

Fenny Crompton

Banbury

Aynho

Wolvercote

OXFORD

TO LONDON

Lower Heyford

Thrupp

South Oxford Canal

North Oxford CanalGrand

Union Canal

NORTHAMPTON

BIRMINGHAM

COVENTRY

WARWICK

STRATFORD UPON AVON

RUGBY

Grand Union Canal

Northampton Arm

B’ham & Fazeley Canal

Coventry Canal

North Stratford

Canal

South Stratford

Canal

Ashby Canal

BraunstonNorton

Gaydon

Marston

Stoke Bruerne

Leighton Buzzard

Weedon

Kings Norton

Kingswood Junction

Wooton Wawen

Leamington

Tamworth

FazeleyAtherstone Nuneaton

MarstonHawkesbury

Hinckley

Brinklow

Stoke Golding

Shakerstone

Salford

SNARESTONE

Snarestone & Return Stoke Bruerne & Return

The Warwickshire Ring Oxford & Return

106 MILES | 8 LOCKS 62 MILES | 60 LOCKS

100 MILES | 95 LOCKS 102 MILES | 78 LOCKS

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Welcome to

Ventnor Marinafriendly and private marine environment with the backdrop of the green fields of Warwickshire and has been described as a wildlife haven masquerading as a Marina.

The peace and calm of a non-liveaboard narrowboat community

Fantastic place for wildlife spotting

Widely renowned as one of the UK’s leading inland marinas, Ventnor Marina is a beautifully kept, non-liveaboard marina for narrowboats and GRP cruisers in the heart of the Warwickshire countryside.

Its tranquil and beautiful rural setting and non liveaboard status, gives Ventnor a wonderful, secluded, yet friendly feel. A perfect place to moor your boat permanently or visit while cruising in one of a choice of three different directions.

Located close to Rugby and Dunchurch on the Grand Union Canal, between Stockton and Braunston, Ventnor Marina has 230 permanent fully serviced narrowboat moorings.

The Marina has two basins, ‘Sunrise’ to the East and ‘Sunset’ to the West. Each basin is divided into small bays of a dozen canal and narrowboat berths, giving a

The marina grass banks cleverly conceal plentiful parking and trolleys adjacent to fully serviced berths.

From a dry dock for narrowboat surveys and blacking, to an amenities building housing a moorers lounge, launderette and disabled facilities, the marina services are exceptional. And for the smaller narrowboats, river cruisers and motor boats, Ventnor has a number of shorter pontoons at highly competitve prices.

Offering direct access to the Grand Union and Oxford Canals, Ventnor is also only an hours cruising away from sister marina, Wigrams Turn for those berth holders interested in flexiberthing.

Facilities Building

Sunrise Basin

Sunset Basin

Dog Walking Field

Fishing Lake

Dry DockFuel & Pump Out

Facilities Building

Marina Office

Cal

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Disabled Parking

Fuel & Pump Out

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Slipway

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Information about the Ventnor Marina Moorers Assocation (VMMA) can be found at www.vmma.org.uk

Asst. Marina Manager

Steve Chapman

Ventnor MarinaCalcutt LaneStocktonRugbyWarwickshire CV23 8HY

Tel: 01926 815023 Harbour masters: 07796 653081Email: info@ventnor-marina.co.uk

Lee Cooper Blair

Marina Manager

Police 01788 541111South Warcs Hospital 01926 495321Doctors Surgery 01926 812577Avondale Vet Centre 01926 812826Chemist (Taylors) 01926 812287

Useful Numbers

The Harbourmaster at Ventnor Marina have been described as “Pure Gold” by Ventnor customers

This is borne out by recent customer survey customer in which:

Some further views from our moorers:

I would always use the dry docking at Ventnor Marina even if I no longer berthed there. The service is so good.

They go out of their way to fit you in to the schedule and they are very appreciative that it is my home as well as my boat, therefore very precious to me. Have told many people about the facility.

Mr Mumfordof customers said the customer service at Ventnor was GOOD or EXCELLENT.

Great Haywood Boat Sales are here to help you with all your narrow boating questions and requirements, regardless if you are buying or selling a boat.

We operate from Kings Bromley Marina in Lichfield, Wigrams Turn Marina and Ventnor Farm Marina in Warwickshire, plus Barton Turns Marina and Great Haywood Marina in Staffordshire. We are owned and run by narrow boat owners who have been on the canal network for many years and combined have over 30 years experience.

We can offer a new build, which can be built to your personal requirements or offer you one of our quality brokerage boats. We have stock changing daily, so if we don’t have what you want then please contact our team who will endeavour to find your dream boat. We will also take a part exchange against any boat we have for sale and we can offer competitive finance and marine mortgages. We can also brokerage your boat or buy it for cash.

Contact our team by phone: 01889 881 960 or email: enquiries@greathaywoodboatsales.co.uk

www.greathaywoodboatsales.co.uk

Great Haywood Boat Sales.indd 1 21/01/2016 10:16

Marina Information

At Castle Marinas our primary function is to offer safe, secure and enjoyable boating to all our customers.

We are lucky that we have five unique inland marinas in wonderful locations with great facilities and fantastic staff plus competitive mooring prices.

In addition we are continually searching for ways to add value for our customers and their boats.

Each of our marinas has its own unique characteristics and benefits whether they are liveaboard or non, river or canal, rural or city based.

ADDED BONUS Flexiberthing packages If you fancy a change of scene you can visit our sister marinas at no extra cost. (T&Cs apply)

Investment in the Marinas We are continuously investing in our staff and facilities to improve your boating experience

Annual moorer events Events such as King Bromley’s Charity Berth Holders BBQ are very popular with our customers. See pg 25 for this years’ events.

BENEFITS Professional, friendly staff Boat enthusiasts who live onsite and will care for your boat like their own.

Secure marina access and CCTV Providing peace of mind that your boat is secure in your absence

Satisfaction of great value

Fully equipped dry dock (Ventnor)

Members Lounge (Ventnor)

Adjacent campsite (Wigrams Turn)

Neighbouring Leisure Centre (Buckden)

Moorers Communications Regular customer satisfaction surveys and Yearbook. We listen to our customers and keep them informed but not inundated

Experience from also operating two separate coastal marinas means we appreciate the need to be small enough to offer a personal service, yet large enough to benefit from group wide standards.

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Moorers Benefits

Ventnor Dry Dock

07970 770565www.WillowWrenTraining.co.uk

Nelson’s WharfGrand Union CanalStockton, Warwickshire

Quality tuition for the leisure

and professional boater since 1994

RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman Training VHF Marine Radio • Diesel Engine Maintenance

First Aid • Fire Safety • Water SafetyBoatmaster Training

TrainingCentre

L T D

For the most desirable windows in the industry look no further. Now in our 37th year, we are

the longest established window manufacturers in the industry with an unrivalled service.

Call us on 0121 706 5777 for an information pack, free quotation and some friendly advice if you’re looking to replace, repair or refit your

canal boat windows.

Clearly the Best!‘Est. 1979’

For real-life testimonials visit channelglaze.co.ukTel: 0121 706 5777

Email: enquiry@channelglaze.comWeb: www.channelglaze.co.uk

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Castle Marinas Dec 2015.pdf 1 21/12/2015 15:37

With over 40 years experience, we are here to help

One call and your bespoke boat movement can be arranged

20

Welcome to

Kings Bromley MarinaGreat marina for exploring the Four Counties & Cheshire Rings

Excellent onsite facilities including Chandlery, dedicated work bay, drying area, disabled facilities, a delightful BBQ area, fuel, pump out etc plus regular social activities.

Plus we have the bonus of staff living onsite who are passionate about the marina and who maintain the thoughtfully landscaped grounds and really care for our customers and their boats.

Seclusion if you want it yet convenience too...

Quiet, friendly and secure, Kings Bromley Marina, on the Trent and Mersey Canal near Lichfield, has 275 narrowboat berths in two beautifully landscaped basins linked by a traditional canal style bridge. It is charming.

Many previous visitors have been so taken by Kings Bromley they have now moored there for years. Enjoying the marinas combination of seclusion and convenience.

The Trent and Mersey canal offers 90 miles of cruising for Kings Bromley moorers. Ideal for weekend boaters and liveaboards as well as those canal boat and narrowboat owners with more time to explore the Four Counties Ring, the North Midlands and the many more cruising options.

The marina is located a few miles from Fradley Junction and Rugeley in the Staffordshire countryside; only 20 minutes from the M6 and convenient for Lichfield and Stafford. Plus its only a short cycle ride or walk to the nearest pub.

Automatic Security GateBBQ

Area

To the Trent & Mersey Canal

Marina Facilities

Slipway

Marina Office

A51

5A

515

Waste Disposal

Diesel & Pump Out

Service Pontoon

1 - 1011 - 34

H1 - H

10

35 - 5253 - 65

66 - 72

265

- 276

Superberths 247 - 264

229 - 246

209 - 228

197 - 208173 - 196

161 - 172

73 - 86

93 - 104

105 - 120

121 - 135

137 - 143

87 - 92

Marina Information

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Kings Bromley MarinaLichfield RoadBromley HayesStaffordshire CV47 8NL

Tel: 01543 417209 (Also for Harbour masters)Email: suepoynton@kingsbromleymarina.co.uk

Sue Poynton

Marina Manager

Police 0300 123 455Queens Hospital 01283 566333Doctors Surgery 01543 472202Grange Hill Vet Centre 01543 416246Armitage Chemist 01543 491650

Useful Numbers

Our Marina staff at Kings Bromley take huge pride in the marina and the grounds.

The layout and planting is lovely, which is why 85% of our customers describe customer service as GOOD or EXCELLENT.

Here are some individual comments:

With Sue and her team I would recommend life aboard and if you are new to the life have your first mooring at Kings Bromley Marina.

After continuously cruising I took a winter mooring at Kings Bromley, I always did this at various marinas, but this was the only one I ever wanted to stay in.

All of our syndicate members have been impressed with the organisation of the marina and very happy to continue mooring there.Stella Nicholay NB Norfolk Syndicate

23www.castlemarinas.co.uk

Located a stones throw away from Fradley Junction, where the Coventry and the Trent & Mersey Canals meet, Kings Bromley offers an enviable choice of cruising routes.

The Four Counties Ring mixes rural scenery and pretty villages with visitor attractions and the industrial architecture of the Potteries.

The Leicester Ring is a wonderful blend of narrow and wide canals, with lots of locks, tunnels and places to explore.

A Stafford CastleB Shugborough Hall C Cannock Chase ForestD Lichfield CathedralE Erasmus Darwin HouseF Northycote Farm & Country Park

G Drayton Manor Park & ZooH Burton on Trent Stapenhill Gardens Claymills Pumping Station Branston Water Park

WOLVERHAMPTON

Trent & Mersey Canal

Trent & Mersey Canal

Trent & Mersey CanalStaffs &

WorcsCanal

Staffs & WorcsCanal

Shropshire Union Canal

Coventry Canal

Coventry Canal

B’ham & Fazeley Canal

Handsacre

Rugeley

Great Haywood

Penkridge

Brewood

Atherley Junction

Fazeley Junction

Tamworth

Atherstone

Fradley Junction

BURTON ON TRENT

LICHFIELD

Kings Bromley Marina

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The Four Counties Ring111 MILES | 94 LOCKS

The Leicester Ring154 MILES | 101 LOCKS

The Warwickshire Ring100 MILES | 95 LOCKS

- You decide when your boat is available- You decide the price and the terms- You decide who stays on board

24 25www.castlemarinas.co.uk

With statistics suggesting that owners spend less than 10% of the time onboard, it was the issue of vacancy that inspired Sir Peter Ogden and Jason & Tim Ludlow to start a company that was part of the new and rapidly rising sharing economy.

What is Beds on Board?

Beds on Board is a website that connects boat owners and accommodation seekers, allowing owners to make money from their vacant boat. The boats do not leave their mooring, it is just accommodation, just beds on board.

The idea is a simple one: most boats are empty most of the time and in some wonderful locations. These same locations often struggle to offer accommodation to visitors, especially something that is a bit different.

What is the sharing economy?

The sharing economy allows people to earn money from under-used assets. Airbnb and Uber are the most well known companies in an economy that is predicted to grow to over $300 billion globally within just 10 years.

Why will owners use the service?

To help offset the cost of ownership and help keep owners as owners.

The income from renting out beds may pay for the mooring fees or winter maintenance. As the boat doesn’t leave its mooring there are no engine hours, a reduced risk of damage and the owner is in complete control, setting their own prices and deciding who stay and when.

Beds on Board is a genuine way to help offset these costs but also to help keep owners engaged with their boat, and the boat itself aired and maintained.

What do owners need to list a boat?

Owners need a safe and comfortable boat that has shore-side access, is compliant with all applicable laws or regulations and to inform their insurance company. An interest in being part of an exciting new economy, earning some money and meeting new people are optional extras.

Dream guests! We would gladly welcome them all back for another stay anytime. Thanks to you all.

The sharing economy can also help to grow the boating community and expand local economies. Owners are not always on hand to meet and greet guests so local people working in and around marinas can earn money offering services or even signing up boats.

Help offset the cost of ownership:

List for free today at bedsonboard.com

2226

April 2016

Sat 23 - Sun 24National Boat Share Show Braunston

May 2016

Sat 21 - Sun 22Rickmansworth Canal Festival Grand Union Canal

Sat 21 - Mon 30 Crick Boat Show

June 2016

Fri 3 - Sun 5Beale Park Boat & Outdoor Show - River Thames

Sat 4 - Sun 5Leicester Riverside Festival River Soar

Fri 17 - Sun 19Middlewich Folk & Boat Festival - Trent & Mersey Canal

Sat 25 Wigrams Turn Moorers BBQ

July 2016

Sat 2 Buckden Moorers BBQ

Sat 2 - Sun 3Stratford-upon-Avon River Festival - River Avon

Sat 9 Ventnor Moorers BBQ

Sat 16 Kings Bromley Moorers BBQ

August 2016

Sat 13 - Sun 14Blisworth Canal Festival Grand Union Canal

Sun 28Nottingham Castle moorers BBQ for the Air Ambulance

VENTNOR LEADS THE WAY!Ventnor Marina now has a special dog shower.

We all know how grubby our fury friends can get when they are out on a walk and having fun, so the thoughtful staff at Ventnor Marina introduced a dog shower outside the facilities block.

What a great idea!

Here’s a look at the year ahead. We’ve picked out just a few of the fabulous events going on, in our Marinas and the surrounding areas.

FIT FOR A KINGTowards the end of 2015, the facilties block at Nottingham Castle Marina underwent refurbishment.

The launderette and showers are now smart and modern and we think you will agree they have done a great job.

NEW CAMPING SITE AT WIGRAMS TURN2015 saw the introduction of a camping facility in the field adjacent to Wigrams Turn Marina, with the capacity for 10 touring caravans. Campers can enjoy views over the Marina and countryside, whilst benefitting from the Marina services. In addition it has enabled moorers to invite friends and family to visit them by using the campsite. For further full details, see p12.

KING’S BROMLEY’S CHARITY BBQ Luckily it stayed dry for the moorer’s barbecue last July, laid on by the Kings Bromley Marina staff to raise money for the Air Ambulance. A good time was had by all.

PAWS FOR A PHOTOFor many of our moorers dogs are an important part of their boating life, so in 2015 we ran a dogs and boats photo competition across all five of our inland marinas.

We received loads of great photos and it was very difficult to choose some winners but here they are below. Rocky, owned by Chris Wray from boat

NB Musashi at Wigrams Turn Marina and Elsa the border collie on NB Norfolk, a boat share kept a Ventnor Marina. Both winners received a Doggie Delights hamper.

To view some of the other competition entries, visit www.castlemarinas.co.uk/photo-competition.

NEW MANAGER FOR BUCKDEN We were delighted to welcome a new manager to Buckden Marina in 2015. Mike King (known as Mick) has been involved with boats all his life. He is very well acquainted with the whole waterways system from Bedford to Denver and enjoys weekend trips on his boat out to the Wash and the North Sea. He has restored his current boat over the last 10 years. He is also very experienced with engines and customer service having most recently worked for GM Vauxhall as Technical District Manager, where he was trouble shooting their retail, fleet and emergency services.

27www.castlemarinas.co.uk

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Welcome to

Nottingham Castle MarinaA canal setting within the heart of Nottingham

A popular, convenient and fully serviced marina

The Marina is only a short walk away from the city centre and lies in a retail development with a variety of restaurants and retail stores nearby. The peace of the marina, integrated with a choice of entertainment, bars and eatieries, historic sites and museums all on the doorstep, really provides the best of both worlds.

Onsite facilities include a large well stocked Chandlery, fuel, Elsan, pump out, onsite brokerage, launderette, maintenance and engineering services. Plus fantastic staff who live onsite to look after our customers and give that extra peace of mind.

If you are looking for a safe and secure marina mooring, that allows you to explore Nottingham’s castles, museums, cathedral and countryside, Nottingham Castle Marina is the popular choice.

Nottingham Castle Marina offers 200 tranquil moorings for narrowboats and cruisers with superb facilities and only a mile away from all the attractions and amenities of Nottingham city centre. A pretty marina within the heart of Nottingham City.

Situated on the Nottingham and Beeston Canal, the marina has easy access to the river Trent and the river Soar as well as the Trent and Mersey Canal and offers numerous cruising options.

Marina Office & Chandlery

Storage Sheds

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Castle Bridge Road

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Nottingham Castle MarinaMarina RoadNottinghamNottinghamshire NG7 1TN

Tel: 0115 9412672 (Also for Harbour masters)Email: info@nottinghamcastlemarina.co.uk

Sean Turner

Marina Manager

Police 0300 300 999Queens Medical Centre 0115 924 9924Doctors Surgery 0844 4773096Caste Vet Centre 0115 941 7894Chemist (Sainsburys) 5 minute walk

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We have fantastic staff who are extremely dedicated to their work at Nottingham Castle Marina.

This why in a recent customer survey, 82% of our customers described customer service at Nottingham Castle marina as EXCELLENT or GOOD.

Here’s what some of our customers think in their own words:

Sean and Ben are particularly helpful in giving advice and dealing with things promptly, with a friendly manner.

The wonderful staff at Castle Marina and indeed the other Marina residents make this marina special.

How great to stay somewhere so convenient for the city centre. We really felt very looked after and i would recommend it to anyone as a brilliant way to visit Nottingham.Stephanie Lovett

31www.castlemarinas.co.uk

To the East, you can access the tidal Trent, past Newark and Boston. The non tidal stretch through Nottingham up to Newark is a very pleasant week’s cruise, immersed in Civil War history. North of Newark you rejoin the main river up to Cromwell Tidal Lock. The tidal section is much more difficult to navigate, with currents and hidden shoals and is not recommended for less experienced boaters.

To the West, the opportunities for exploration are endless. At Trent Lock the Erewash Canal is on the right, and the River Soar, connecting to the Grand Union Canal is on your left.

A Nottingham Galleries of Justice Museum Nottingham Castle City of Caves Intu Victoria Shopping CentreB Shardlow Heritage Centre

C Loughborough Great Central Railway Beacon Hill Country Park Manor Farm & Woodlands The Charnwood MuseumD Claymills Pumping Station

The Leicester Ring154 MILES | 101 LOCKS 95 MILES | 11 LOCKS

The River Trent Shardlow to Trent Falls

Marina Information

Cruising Routes

Continuing straight onto the Trent and Mersey, past Burton on Trent, you reach Fradley Junction, where you have choice of The Leicester, Four Counties, Cheshire and Warwickshire Rings, to name a few.

Trent & Mersey Canal

Trent & Mersey Canal

River Soar

Nottingham Castle Marina

Notts’ & Beeston

Canal

Erewash Canal

River Trent

River Trent

Fradley Junction

Trent LockShardlow

Willington

Long Eaton Beeston

BURTON ON TRENTLOUGHBOROUGH

NOTTINGHAM

To Great Haywood &The Four Counties Ring

To Newark on Trent & Tidal Trent

To Fazeley Junction &The Warwickshire Ring

To Leicester Line &The Grand Union Canal

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Boatinland Goba ad 134 x 95mm.pdf 1 24/12/2015 16:18

• Narrowboat Servicing from £180

• Engines & Gearboxes

• Fuel Polishing & Tank Cleaning

• System Flushing & Filter Replacement

• Electrics, Batteries, Chargers, Solar, Invertors, Stern Gear, Propshafts, Bearings

• General Engineering Work

Quality New & Used Motor Cruisers & Narrowboats for Sale

Excellent selection of boats available

FREE lift out for survey on all craft lying in our sales area

FREE DELIVERY within 250 miles of Nottingham on all of our cruisers

Midlands agent for the Viking Cruisers

With over 50 years combined experience, our staff are happy to answer questions

Continuously looking to purchase both Cruisers and Narrowboats

Please contact David Mawby for Cruisers on 07721 382619 or Chris Pallett for Narrowboats on 07799 216704, or click on our link on the Castle Marinas website.

Find us at: Nottingham Castle Marina, Marina Road, Nottingham. NG7 1TN

David Mawby Ltd.indd 1 24/12/2015 09:01

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Welcome to

Buckden Marina

Scenic marina on the River Great Ouse

Facilities for all

The marina caters for motor cruisers, wide beam boats and narrowboats and even supplies a limited selection of useful chandlery.

In addition to the expected security, wifi and pontoon maintenance, there are also engineering and boat sales services onsite.

Boaters can also access the leisure club (run by Waterside Leisure - see website for details and prices), with gym, indoor swimming pool, sauna, steam room, aerobic studio, tennis courts, bar and cafe.

Offering tranquil, leafy moorings next to the River Great Ouse, Buckden Marina appeals to motor cruisers, narrowboats and wide beam boat owners. A safe, secure marina in a delightful setting in 92 acres of Cambridgeshire countryside.

Buckden is a picturesque inland marina with 240 floating pontoon berths and the added bonus of superb onsite facilities. (including a Leisure Club)

The River Great Ouse and its tributaries add up to 140 miles of potential cruising from Buckden. Head west to explore the inland waterways or East towards the coast and the North Sea.

Conveniently located 30 minutes from Cambridge and set next to the pretty town of Buckden, but still with a countryside feeling to encourage relaxation, it is perfect for exploring the meandering rivers and historic towns nearby.

River Great Ouse

Security Barrier

Fuel Pump Out & Elsan Disposal

Waterside Leisure CLub

Elsan Disposal

Slipway

Sales Area

Marina Office & Facilities

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100° Turning Circle

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Buckden Marina7a Marina ViewMill RoadBuckden Cambridgeshire PE19 5BH

Tel: 01480 812660 (Also for out of office hours)Email: info@buckdenmarina.co.uk

Mike King

Marina Manager

Police 0845 4564564Hinchingbrooke Hospital 01480 416416Doctors Surgery 01480 810216Medivet Brampton 01480 433566Buckden Pharmacy 01480 810077

Useful Numbers

We appointed a new Marina Manager for Buckden in 2015.

Mike King brings with him a wealth of experience in boats and engines as well as customer service. He really understands what customers need from their Marina.

And even with this change in management, in a recent survey three quarters of our customers said that Customer Service was GOOD or EXCELLENT.

The River Great Ouse weaves through the flat landscape of East Anglia from Bedford into The Wash National Nature Reserve.

Combined with its tributaries, the River Cam, Lark, and Little Ouse, it offers 140 miles of navigable waterways for you to explore, flowing through some of the most unspoilt water environments in Britain.

There are many sites of interest along the river with several towns and villages for you to visit with attractive mooring points.

The Environment Agency is the navigation authority for this region and you will need to register your craft with them and obtain a lock key to operate the un-manned locks.

37www.castlemarinas.co.uk

Ely

Downham Market

Buckden

MildenhallWicken Fen

Pope’s CornerSt. Ives

St. Neots

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A Bedford The Higgins Art Gallery & Museum Bedford River Festival (July) Ten Pin Bowling & Cinema B Market Town C Buckden’s Great Tower (Catherine

of Aragon was imprisoned here)D Oliver Cromwell Museum E St. Ives 15th Century Chapel BridgeF Great Bird WatchingG Ely Cathedral H National Wetland Nature Reserve I Cambridge

University of Cambridge King’s College Chapel The Fitzwilliam MuseumJ Medieval TownK Thetford Forest ParkL Historic Market Town

Here’s some of the things they said:

The boost we get from coming to the boat in Buckden is immeasurable. I feel like the weight has been lifted from my shoulders as soon as I pull into the car park. We love it in this marina.

Its a very secure great marina and its handy to have the leisure club and restaurant on site. In my opinion it is the best marina on the river system and I feel at home here.

Mr Forrest

This is a very nice Marina and would definitely recommend to other boat users.

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Marina Information

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Castle Marina Inland YearBook 16.pdf 1 15/12/2015 14:41

Could your boat be earning you money?

Great communication, left the boat in perfect condition,

couldn’t ask for anything more, welcome back any time.

“”

Excellent set up and ease of communication. Very impressed,

will be recommending to my friends and family.

“”

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Castle Marinas Inland Ad_BOB.pdf 1 13/01/2016 13:52