Canals
Kelpies Marina
Falkirk, Falkirk · Forth & Clyde Canal
£273 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Cheapest liveaboard moorings
Every site here with a published price, cheapest first, worked out for the same boat so the figures compare. Moorings where the site says you can live on board, outright or by arrangement. Residential moorings often need planning consent and pay council tax; we show the terms as each site states them.
51 sites · 8 with space now · 6 with a waiting list · typical £3,595 a year for a 57ft narrowboat (£273–£9,743 across 51 published tariffs)
At a glance
- 51 sites: 33 on canals, 9 on rivers, 7 on estuaries and tidal rivers and 2 on the open coast.
- 8 of the 51 told us in the last six weeks they have space: Shire Cruisers, Sowerby Bridge, Selby Boat Centre, Venetian Marina, Bishop Meadow L1, The Embankment Marina, Memory Lane and 2 more.
- Keeping a waiting list: Cambridge City Council Residential Moorings, Mayroyd Moorings, Temple Quay, Wapping Wharf, Thames Ditton Marina and South Dock Marina.
- For a 57ft narrowboat, published prices run from £273 a year (Kelpies Marina) to £9,743 a year (South Dock Marina); the middle of 51 is £3,595 a year.
- Longest boat taken: 50m (164ft) at Hartlepool Marina.
- Of the 51, 42 have electric hook-up, 30 a pump-out, 21 diesel, 2 a boat hoist and 3 visitor berths.
- Groups running more than one: ABC Leisure Group (9), Bristol City Council (4), Canal & River Trust (4) and Scottish Canals (14).
Canals
Berths available
Shire Cruisers, Sowerby Bridge
Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire · Calder & Hebble Navigation
£1,640 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Rivers
Waiting list
Cambridge City Council Residential Moorings
Cambridge, Cambridgeshire · River Cam
£1,537 a year for a 10m cruiser
Canals
Waiting list
Mayroyd Moorings
Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire · Rochdale Canal
£1,929 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Rivers
Lilford Marina
Oundle, Northamptonshire · River Nene
£2,250 a year for a 10m cruiser
Rivers
Northampton Marina
Northampton, Northamptonshire · River Nene
£1,310 a year for a 10m cruiser
Canals
Berths available
Selby Boat Centre
Selby, North Yorkshire · Selby Canal
£2,750 a year for a 57ft narrowboat (from)
Canals
Panmure Wharf, Firhill
Glasgow, Glasgow City · Forth & Clyde Canal
£2,794 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Auchinstarry Marina
Kilsyth, North Lanarkshire · Forth & Clyde Canal
£3,054 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Applecross Claypits
Glasgow, Glasgow City · Forth & Clyde Canal
£3,104 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Speirs Wharf
Glasgow, Glasgow City · Forth & Clyde Canal
£3,104 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation
Chelmsford, Essex · Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation
£3,120 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Estuaries & tidal rivers
St Augustine's Reach
Bristol, Bristol · Bristol Harbour
£1,817 a year for a 10m yacht
Rivers
Waiting list
Temple Quay
Bristol, Bristol · Bristol Harbour
£1,817 a year for a 10m cruiser
Estuaries & tidal rivers
Waiting list
Wapping Wharf
Bristol, Bristol · Bristol Harbour
£1,817 a year for a 10m yacht
Canals
Nantwich Canal Centre
Nantwich, Cheshire · Shropshire Union Canal
£3,243 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Springwood Haven Marina
Nuneaton, Warwickshire · Coventry Canal
£3,243 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Berths available
Venetian Marina
Cholmondeston, Cheshire · Shropshire Union Canal (Middlewich Branch)
£3,254 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Rivers
Berths available
Bishop Meadow L1
Loughborough, Leicestershire · River Soar
£3,272 a year for a 10m cruiser
Estuaries & tidal rivers
Berths available
The Embankment Marina
Gravesend, Kent · River Thames
£1,680 a year for a 10m yacht
Canals
Applecross Wharf
Glasgow, Glasgow City · Forth & Clyde Canal
£3,352 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Braehead, Linlithgow
Linlithgow, West Lothian · Union Canal
£3,352 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Causewayend
Broxburn, West Lothian · Union Canal
£3,352 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Temple Wharf - Lock 27
Glasgow, Glasgow City · Forth & Clyde Canal
£3,477 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Gayton Marina
Blisworth, Northamptonshire · Grand Union Canal
£3,565 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Southbank Marina
Kirkintilloch, East Dunbartonshire · Forth & Clyde Canal
£3,595 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Newbury Manor Marina
Newbury, Berkshire · Kennet & Avon Canal
£3,639 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Kings Orchard Marina
Huddlesford, Staffordshire · Coventry Canal
£3,671 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Linlithgow East
Linlithgow, West Lothian · Union Canal
£3,725 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Goytre Wharf Marina
Goytre, Gwent · Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal
£3,742 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Mercia Marina
Willington, Derbyshire · Trent & Mersey Canal
£3,803 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Rivers
Leicester Marina
Thurmaston, Leicester, Leicestershire · River Soar
£2,724 a year for a 10m cruiser
Canals
Blackwater Meadow Marina
Ellesmere, Shropshire · Llangollen Canal
£4,158 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Anderton Marina
Anderton, Cheshire · Trent & Mersey Canal
£4,247 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Rivers
Odessa Boatyard
Newport, Isle of Wight · River Medina
£2,511 a year for a 10m cruiser
Canals
Alvechurch Marina
Alvechurch, Worcestershire · Worcester & Birmingham Canal
£4,460 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Berths available
Memory Lane
Leicester, Leicestershire · Grand Union Canal
£4,560 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Grove Lock Marina
Leighton Buzzard, Buckinghamshire · Grand Union Canal
£4,603 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Estuaries & tidal rivers
Medway Bridge Marina
Rochester, Kent · River Medway
£2,671 a year for a 10m yacht
Rivers
Saltford Marina
Saltford, Somerset · River Avon
£2,696 a year for a 10m cruiser
Coast & harbours
Hartlepool Marina
Hartlepool, County Durham · Tees Bay (North Sea)
£2,850 a year for a 10m yacht
Estuaries & tidal rivers
Hannover Pontoon
Bristol, Bristol · Bristol Harbour
£3,042 a year for a 10m yacht
Canals
Leamington Wharf East
Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh · Union Canal
£5,898 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Estuaries & tidal rivers
Bristol Marina
Bristol, Bristol · Bristol City Docks Floating Harbour
£3,551 a year for a 10m yacht
Coast & harbours
Bembridge Harbour
St Helens, Isle of Wight · Bembridge Harbour
£3,800 a year for a 10m yacht
Canals
Viewforth Quay
Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh · Union Canal
£7,450 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Berths available
Brentford Island
Brentford, Greater London · Grand Union Canal
£8,183 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Rivers
Waiting list
Thames Ditton Marina
Surbiton, Surrey · River Thames
£4,880 a year for a 10m cruiser
Canals
Lochrin Basin
Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh · Union Canal
£8,633 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Berths available
Engineers Wharf Residential L1
Northolt, Greater London · Grand Union Canal (Paddington Arm)
£8,979 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Estuaries & tidal rivers
Waiting list
South Dock Marina
London, Greater London · River Thames
£5,609 a year for a 10m yacht
Compared: prices for a 57ft narrowboat
| Site | Where | A year, 57ft narrowboat | Per metre a year | Liveaboard | Space |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kelpies Marina | Falkirk, Forth & Clyde Canal | £273 | £15.70 | Liveaboards allowed | Not reported |
| Shire Cruisers, Sowerby Bridge | Sowerby Bridge, Calder & Hebble Navigation | £1,640 | £94.40 | Liveaboards allowed | Berths available |
| Cambridge City Council Residential Moorings | Cambridge, River Cam | £1,810 | £104.18 | Residential moorings with planning consent | Waiting list |
| Mayroyd Moorings | Hebden Bridge, Rochdale Canal | £1,929 | £111.05 | Residential moorings with planning consent | Waiting list |
| Lilford Marina | Oundle, River Nene | £2,250 | £129.53 | Liveaboard by arrangement | Not reported |
| Northampton Marina | Northampton, River Nene | £2,275 | £131 | Residential moorings with planning consent | Not reported |
| Selby Boat Centre | Selby, Selby Canal | from £2,750 | £158.32 | Liveaboards allowed | Berths available |
| Panmure Wharf, Firhill | Glasgow, Forth & Clyde Canal | £2,794 | £160.85 | Liveaboards allowed | Not reported |
| Auchinstarry Marina | Kilsyth, Forth & Clyde Canal | £3,054 | £175.80 | Residential moorings with planning consent | Not reported |
| Applecross Claypits | Glasgow, Forth & Clyde Canal | £3,104 | £178.70 | Residential moorings with planning consent | Not reported |
| Speirs Wharf | Glasgow, Forth & Clyde Canal | £3,104 | £178.70 | Residential moorings with planning consent | Not reported |
| Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation | Chelmsford, Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation | £3,120 | £179.64 | Liveaboard by arrangement | Not reported |
| St Augustine's Reach | Bristol, Bristol Harbour | £3,155 | £181.65 | Liveaboards allowed | Not reported |
| Temple Quay | Bristol, Bristol Harbour | £3,155 | £181.65 | Liveaboards allowed | Waiting list |
| Wapping Wharf | Bristol, Bristol Harbour | £3,155 | £181.65 | Liveaboards allowed | Waiting list |
| Nantwich Canal Centre | Nantwich, Shropshire Union Canal | £3,243 | £186.72 | Liveaboard by arrangement | Not reported |
| Springwood Haven Marina | Nuneaton, Coventry Canal | £3,243 | £186.72 | Liveaboard by arrangement | Not reported |
| Venetian Marina | Cholmondeston, Shropshire Union Canal (Middlewich Branch) | £3,254 | £187.36 | Liveaboard by arrangement | Berths available |
| Bishop Meadow L1 | Loughborough, River Soar | £3,272 | £188.38 | Residential moorings with planning consent | Berths available |
| The Embankment Marina | Gravesend, River Thames | £3,300 | £189.98 | Liveaboards allowed | Berths available |
| Applecross Wharf | Glasgow, Forth & Clyde Canal | £3,352 | £192.98 | Residential moorings with planning consent | Not reported |
| Braehead, Linlithgow | Linlithgow, Union Canal | £3,352 | £192.98 | Liveaboards allowed | Not reported |
| Causewayend | Broxburn, Union Canal | £3,352 | £192.98 | Liveaboards allowed | Not reported |
| Temple Wharf - Lock 27 | Glasgow, Forth & Clyde Canal | £3,477 | £200.17 | Residential moorings with planning consent | Not reported |
| Gayton Marina | Blisworth, Grand Union Canal | £3,565 | £205.26 | Liveaboard by arrangement | Not reported |
| Southbank Marina | Kirkintilloch, Forth & Clyde Canal | £3,595 | £206.97 | Residential moorings with planning consent | Not reported |
| Newbury Manor Marina | Newbury, Kennet & Avon Canal | £3,639 | £209.49 | Liveaboard by arrangement | Not reported |
| Kings Orchard Marina | Huddlesford, Coventry Canal | £3,671 | £211.33 | Liveaboard by arrangement | Not reported |
| Linlithgow East | Linlithgow, Union Canal | £3,725 | £214.45 | Residential moorings with planning consent | Not reported |
| Goytre Wharf Marina | Goytre, Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal | £3,742 | £215.43 | Liveaboard by arrangement | Not reported |
| Mercia Marina | Willington, Trent & Mersey Canal | £3,803 | £218.92 | Liveaboards allowed | Not reported |
| Leicester Marina | Thurmaston, Leicester, River Soar | £3,876 | £223.14 | Liveaboards allowed | Not reported |
| Blackwater Meadow Marina | Ellesmere, Llangollen Canal | £4,158 | £239.39 | Liveaboard by arrangement | Not reported |
| Anderton Marina | Anderton, Trent & Mersey Canal | £4,247 | £244.47 | Liveaboard by arrangement | Not reported |
| Odessa Boatyard | Newport, River Medina | £4,337 | £249.66 | Liveaboards allowed | Not reported |
| Alvechurch Marina | Alvechurch, Worcester & Birmingham Canal | £4,460 | £256.78 | Liveaboard by arrangement | Not reported |
| Memory Lane | Leicester, Grand Union Canal | £4,560 | £262.52 | Residential moorings with planning consent | Berths available |
| Grove Lock Marina | Leighton Buzzard, Grand Union Canal | £4,603 | £264.98 | Liveaboard by arrangement | Not reported |
| Medway Bridge Marina | Rochester, River Medway | £4,640 | £267.12 | Liveaboards allowed | Not reported |
| Saltford Marina | Saltford, River Avon | £4,657 | £268.10 | Liveaboards allowed | Not reported |
From each site's published tariff. "–" means the site doesn't say. Prices change; confirm with the site.
Questions
How much does a mooring for a 57ft narrowboat cost in the UK?
Across the 51 cheapest liveaboard moorings here that publish a price, a 57ft narrowboat costs from £273 a year at Kelpies Marina to £9,743 a year at South Dock Marina. The middle figure is £3,595 a year. Check what each includes: electricity, water and VAT vary.
What are the cheapest cheapest liveaboard moorings in the UK?
For a 57ft narrowboat, Kelpies Marina is cheapest at £273 a year in Falkirk.
Which cheapest liveaboard moorings in the UK have space now?
8 of the 51 told us in the last six weeks they have space: Shire Cruisers, Sowerby Bridge, Selby Boat Centre, Venetian Marina, Bishop Meadow L1, The Embankment Marina, Memory Lane, Brentford Island and Engineers Wharf Residential L1. Each page shows the date they told us and what they have.
Can you live aboard at cheapest liveaboard moorings in the UK?
All 51 say you can: Kelpies Marina (liveaboards allowed), Shire Cruisers, Sowerby Bridge (liveaboards allowed), Cambridge City Council Residential Moorings (residential moorings with planning consent), Mayroyd Moorings (residential moorings with planning consent), Lilford Marina (liveaboard by arrangement), Northampton Marina (residential moorings with planning consent), Selby Boat Centre (liveaboards allowed), Panmure Wharf, Firhill (liveaboards allowed) and 43 more. Living aboard can need planning consent and council tax; ask each site about its terms.
Do I need a licence as well as a mooring?
On top of the mooring fee: of these, 17 need a Canal & River Trust boat licence, 5 need Environment Agency registration (Thames, Medway, Anglian waterways), 14 need a Scottish Canals licence, 1 need an Avon Navigation Trust licence and 3 need the navigation's own licence. Coastal marinas usually need none.
Broader
Cheapest liveaboard moorings by county
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