Rivers
Waiting list
Lea Valley Narrowboats - Sawbridgeworth Moorings
Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire · River Stort
£144 a year for a 10m cruiser
Cheapest narrowboat moorings
Every site here with a published price, cheapest first, worked out for the same boat so the figures compare. Places that take narrowboats. Up to 7ft (2.13m) beam.
102 sites · 21 with space now · 9 with a waiting list · typical £3,359 a year for a 57ft narrowboat (£144–£15,247 across 102 published tariffs)
At a glance
- 102 sites: 70 on canals, 30 on rivers, 1 on the Broads or a lake and 1 on an estuary.
- 21 of the 102 told us in the last six weeks they have space: Bosworth Marina, Lichfield Cruising Club, Shire Cruisers, Sowerby Bridge, Shardlow Marina, Burscough Bridge L1 Leisure, Monk Meadow and 15 more.
- Keeping a waiting list: Lea Valley Narrowboats - Sawbridgeworth Moorings, Cambridge City Council Residential Moorings, Fox Narrowboats Marina, Mayroyd Moorings, Hallingbury Marina, Lee Valley Marina, Rye House and 3 more.
- For a 57ft narrowboat, published prices run from £144 a year (Lea Valley Narrowboats - Sawbridgeworth Moorings) to £15,247 a year (Penton Hook Marina); the middle of 102 is £3,359 a year.
- Longest boat taken: 22m (72ft) at Tibberton Towpath L1 Leisure.
- Of the 102, 83 have electric hook-up, 64 a pump-out, 53 diesel, 10 a boat hoist and 19 visitor berths.
- 36 of the 102 allow liveaboards, outright or by arrangement.
- Groups running more than one: ABC Leisure Group (12), Canal & River Trust (9), Environment Agency (2), Essex Waterways (2), Lee Valley Regional Park Authority (3), Scottish Canals (22) and Tingdene Marinas (6).
Canals
Kelpies Marina
Falkirk, Falkirk · Forth & Clyde Canal
£273 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Berths available
Bosworth Marina
Market Bosworth, Leicestershire · Ashby Canal
£463 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Berths available
Lichfield Cruising Club
Lichfield, Staffordshire · Wyrley & Essington Canal and Coventry Canal
£1,283 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Barby Moorings
Barby, Northamptonshire · Oxford Canal
£1,440 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Reddingmuirhead
Reddingmuirhead, Falkirk · Union Canal
£1,565 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Berths available
Shire Cruisers, Sowerby Bridge
Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire · Calder & Hebble Navigation
£1,640 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Shepley Bridge Marina
Mirfield, West Yorkshire · Huddersfield Broad Canal
£1,770 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
The Falkirk Wheel Linear
Falkirk, Falkirk · Forth & Clyde Canal
£1,798 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
Rivers
Waiting list
Fox Narrowboats Marina
March, Cambridgeshire · Middle Level Navigations
£1,079 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
Berths available
Shardlow Marina
Shardlow, Derbyshire · River Trent
£1,242 a year for a 10m cruiser
Canals
Lock 16 Moorings
Falkirk, Falkirk · Forth & Clyde Canal
£1,936 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Full
Talbot Wharf
Market Drayton, Shropshire · Shropshire Union Canal
£1,984 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Rivers
Zouch Marina
Hathern, Leicestershire · River Soar
£1,188 a year for a 10m cruiser
Rivers
Knightsbridge Caravan & Marina Park
March, Cambridgeshire · River Nene Old Course
£1,520 a year for a 10m cruiser
Canals
Berths available
Burscough Bridge L1 Leisure
Burscough, Lancashire · Leeds & Liverpool Canal
£2,191 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Rivers
Lilford Marina
Oundle, Northamptonshire · River Nene
£2,250 a year for a 10m cruiser
Canals
Cadder Wharf
Bishopbriggs, East Dunbartonshire · Forth & Clyde Canal
£2,389 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Willows Marina
Weedon, Northamptonshire · Grand Union Canal
£2,400 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Rivers
Upware Marina
Upware, Cambridgeshire · River Cam
£1,419 a year for a 10m cruiser
Canals
Berths available
Monk Meadow
Hempsted, Gloucestershire · Gloucester & Sharpness Canal
£2,474 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Berths available
Aspley Wharf Marina
Huddersfield, West Yorkshire · Huddersfield Broad and Narrow Canals
£2,497 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Rivers
Berths available
Thames Boat House
Shepperton, Surrey · River Thames
£2,500 a year for a 10m cruiser
Canals
Lockside Marina
Chelmsford, Essex · Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation
£2,710 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Berths available
Selby Boat Centre
Selby, North Yorkshire · Selby Canal
£2,750 a year for a 57ft narrowboat (from)
Canals
Berths available
Tibberton Towpath L1 Leisure
Worcester, Worcestershire · Worcester & Birmingham Canal
£2,791 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Panmure Wharf, Firhill
Glasgow, Glasgow City · Forth & Clyde Canal
£2,794 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Berths available
Cuckoo Wharf Residential Moorings
Birmingham, West Midlands · Birmingham & Fazeley Canal
£2,914 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Berths available
Bugbrooke Marina
Bugbrooke, Northamptonshire · Grand Union Canal
£2,964 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Heyford Fields Marina
Nether Heyford, Northamptonshire · Grand Union Canal
£3,020 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Kirkintilloch Linear
Kirkintilloch, East Dunbartonshire · Forth & Clyde Canal
£3,042 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Auchinstarry Marina
Kilsyth, North Lanarkshire · Forth & Clyde Canal
£3,054 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
The Falkirk Wheel Basin
Falkirk, Falkirk · Forth & Clyde Canal
£3,054 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Rivers
Berths available
Willow Moorings
Kegworth, Leicestershire · River Soar
£1,782 a year for a 10m cruiser (from)
Canals
Berths available
Hardingswood Junction Moorings
Kidsgrove, Staffordshire · Trent & Mersey Canal
£3,090 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
Canals
Berths available
Braunston Marina
Braunston, Northamptonshire · Grand Union Canal
£3,170 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Berths available
Lowsonford L1 Leisure
Lowsonford, Warwickshire · South Stratford Canal
£3,183 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Heritage Marina
Scholar Green, Cheshire · Macclesfield Canal
£3,221 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
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
Rivers
Waiting list
Hallingbury Marina
Little Hallingbury, Essex · River Stort
£1,881 a year for a 10m cruiser
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
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
Swanley Bridge Marina
Nantwich, Cheshire · Llangollen Canal
£3,365 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Droitwich Spa Marina
Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire · Droitwich Junction Canal
£3,390 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
New Mills Marina
New Mills, Derbyshire · Peak Forest Canal
£3,434 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
Whitchurch Marina
Whitchurch, Shropshire · Llangollen Canal
£3,597 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Berths available
Tardebigge L1 Leisure
Bromsgrove, Worcestershire · Worcester & Birmingham Canal
£3,601 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
Brayford Pool Marina
Lincoln, Lincolnshire · Brayford Pool, where the River Witham meets the Fossdyke Canal
£3,682 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Aston Marina
Stone, Staffordshire · Trent & Mersey Canal
£3,725 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
Stourport Marina
Stourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire · River Severn
£2,635 a year for a 10m cruiser
Canals
Waiting list
Lee Valley Marina, Rye House
Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire · River Lee Navigation
£3,877 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Rivers
Lee Valley Marina, Stanstead Abbotts
Stanstead Abbotts, Hertfordshire · River Lee Navigation
£2,232 a year for a 10m cruiser
Rivers
Hartford Marina
Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire · River Great Ouse
£2,266 a year for a 10m cruiser
Canals
Staniland Marina
Thorne, South Yorkshire · Stainforth & Keadby Canal
£3,995 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Overwater Marina
Audlem, Cheshire · Shropshire Union Canal
£3,998 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Blackwater Meadow Marina
Ellesmere, Shropshire · Llangollen Canal
£4,158 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Hilperton Marina
Trowbridge, Wiltshire · Kennet & Avon 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
Canals
Alvechurch Marina
Alvechurch, Worcestershire · Worcester & Birmingham Canal
£4,460 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Aqueduct Marina
Church Minshull, Cheshire · Shropshire Union Canal (Middlewich Branch)
£4,536 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Worcester Marina
Worcester, Worcestershire · Worcester & Birmingham Canal
£4,574 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Grove Lock Marina
Leighton Buzzard, Buckinghamshire · Grand Union Canal
£4,603 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Rivers
Environment Agency Boveney Lock Base Moorings
Windsor, Buckinghamshire · River Thames
£2,659 a year for a 10m cruiser
Rivers
Saltford Marina
Saltford, Somerset · River Avon
£2,696 a year for a 10m cruiser
Canals
Winchburgh Marina
Winchburgh, West Lothian · Union Canal
£4,895 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Canals
Ratho Marina
Ratho, City of Edinburgh · Union Canal
£4,905 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Broads, lakes & lochs
St Olaves Marina
St Olaves, Norfolk · River Waveney, Norfolk Broads
£2,990 a year for a 10m cruiser
Rivers
Farndon Marina
Farndon, Nottinghamshire · River Trent
£3,105 a year for a 10m cruiser
Rivers
Lee Valley Marina, Springfield
London, Greater London · River Lee Navigation
£3,264 a year for a 10m cruiser
Canals
Leamington Wharf East
Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh · Union Canal
£5,898 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Rivers
Waiting list
Hambleden Marina
Henley on Thames, Buckinghamshire · River Thames
£3,480 a year for a 10m cruiser
Rivers
Allington Marina
Maidstone, Kent · River Medway
£3,691 a year for a 10m cruiser
Rivers
Waiting list
Environment Agency Chertsey Lock Base Moorings
Chertsey, Surrey · River Thames
£3,649 a year for a 10m cruiser
Estuaries & tidal rivers
Liverpool Marina
Liverpool, Merseyside · River Mersey
£3,661 a year for a 10m yacht
Rivers
Pyrford Marina
Pyrford, Surrey · River Wey Navigation
£3,729 a year for a 10m cruiser
Rivers
Harleyford Marina
Marlow, Buckinghamshire · River Thames
£3,938 a year for a 10m cruiser
Rivers
York Marina
York, North Yorkshire · River Ouse
£4,010 a year for a 10m cruiser
Rivers
Upton Marina
Upton-upon-Severn, Worcestershire · River Severn
£4,043 a year for a 10m cruiser
Canals
Viewforth Quay
Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh · Union Canal
£7,450 a year for a 57ft narrowboat
Rivers
Thames and Kennet Marina
Reading, Oxfordshire · River Thames
£4,501 a year for a 10m cruiser
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
Rivers
Berths available
Shepperton Marina
Shepperton, Surrey · River Thames
£7,200 a year for a 10m cruiser
Rivers
Penton Hook Marina
Chertsey, Surrey · River Thames
£8,778 a year for a 10m cruiser
Compared: prices for a 57ft narrowboat
| Site | Where | A year, 57ft narrowboat | Per metre a year | Space |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lea Valley Narrowboats - Sawbridgeworth Moorings | Sawbridgeworth, River Stort | £144 | £8.29 | Waiting list |
| Kelpies Marina | Falkirk, Forth & Clyde Canal | £273 | £15.70 | Not reported |
| Bosworth Marina | Market Bosworth, Ashby Canal | £463 | £26.66 | Berths available |
| Lichfield Cruising Club | Lichfield, Wyrley & Essington Canal and Coventry Canal | £1,283 | £73.83 | Berths available |
| Barby Moorings | Barby, Oxford Canal | £1,440 | £82.90 | Not reported |
| Reddingmuirhead | Reddingmuirhead, Union Canal | £1,565 | £90.12 | Not reported |
| Shire Cruisers, Sowerby Bridge | Sowerby Bridge, Calder & Hebble Navigation | £1,640 | £94.40 | Berths available |
| Shepley Bridge Marina | Mirfield, Huddersfield Broad Canal | £1,770 | £101.90 | Not reported |
| The Falkirk Wheel Linear | Falkirk, Forth & Clyde Canal | £1,798 | £103.49 | Not reported |
| Cambridge City Council Residential Moorings | Cambridge, River Cam | £1,810 | £104.18 | Waiting list |
| Fox Narrowboats Marina | March, Middle Level Navigations | £1,859 | £107.02 | Waiting list |
| Mayroyd Moorings | Hebden Bridge, Rochdale Canal | £1,929 | £111.05 | Waiting list |
| Shardlow Marina | Shardlow, River Trent | £1,930 | £111.09 | Berths available |
| Lock 16 Moorings | Falkirk, Forth & Clyde Canal | £1,936 | £111.45 | Not reported |
| Talbot Wharf | Market Drayton, Shropshire Union Canal | £1,984 | £114.20 | Full |
| Zouch Marina | Hathern, River Soar | £2,052 | £118.13 | Not reported |
| Knightsbridge Caravan & Marina Park | March, River Nene Old Course | £2,117 | £121.88 | Not reported |
| Burscough Bridge L1 Leisure | Burscough, Leeds & Liverpool Canal | £2,191 | £126.14 | Berths available |
| Lilford Marina | Oundle, River Nene | £2,250 | £129.53 | Not reported |
| Cadder Wharf | Bishopbriggs, Forth & Clyde Canal | £2,389 | £137.52 | Not reported |
| Willows Marina | Weedon, Grand Union Canal | £2,400 | £138.17 | Not reported |
| Upware Marina | Upware, River Cam | £2,451 | £141.11 | Not reported |
| Monk Meadow | Hempsted, Gloucester & Sharpness Canal | £2,474 | £142.43 | Berths available |
| Aspley Wharf Marina | Huddersfield, Huddersfield Broad and Narrow Canals | £2,497 | £143.73 | Berths available |
| Thames Boat House | Shepperton, River Thames | £2,500 | £143.93 | Berths available |
| Lockside Marina | Chelmsford, Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation | £2,710 | £156 | Not reported |
| Selby Boat Centre | Selby, Selby Canal | from £2,750 | £158.32 | Berths available |
| Tibberton Towpath L1 Leisure | Worcester, Worcester & Birmingham Canal | £2,791 | £160.67 | Berths available |
| Panmure Wharf, Firhill | Glasgow, Forth & Clyde Canal | £2,794 | £160.85 | Not reported |
| Cuckoo Wharf Residential Moorings | Birmingham, Birmingham & Fazeley Canal | £2,914 | £167.75 | Berths available |
| Bugbrooke Marina | Bugbrooke, Grand Union Canal | £2,964 | £170.64 | Berths available |
| Heyford Fields Marina | Nether Heyford, Grand Union Canal | £3,020 | £173.84 | Not reported |
| Kirkintilloch Linear | Kirkintilloch, Forth & Clyde Canal | £3,042 | £175.14 | Not reported |
| Auchinstarry Marina | Kilsyth, Forth & Clyde Canal | £3,054 | £175.80 | Not reported |
| The Falkirk Wheel Basin | Falkirk, Forth & Clyde Canal | £3,054 | £175.80 | Not reported |
| Willow Moorings | Kegworth, River Soar | from £3,078 | £177.20 | Berths available |
| Hardingswood Junction Moorings | Kidsgrove, Trent & Mersey Canal | £3,090 | £177.89 | Berths available |
| Applecross Claypits | Glasgow, Forth & Clyde Canal | £3,104 | £178.70 | Not reported |
| Speirs Wharf | Glasgow, Forth & Clyde Canal | £3,104 | £178.70 | Not reported |
| Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation | Chelmsford, Chelmer & Blackwater Navigation | £3,120 | £179.64 | 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 102 cheapest narrowboat moorings here that publish a price, a 57ft narrowboat costs from £144 a year at Lea Valley Narrowboats - Sawbridgeworth Moorings to £15,247 a year at Penton Hook Marina. The middle figure is £3,359 a year. Check what each includes: electricity, water and VAT vary.
What are the cheapest cheapest narrowboat moorings in the UK?
For a 57ft narrowboat, Lea Valley Narrowboats - Sawbridgeworth Moorings is cheapest at £144 a year.
Which cheapest narrowboat moorings in the UK have space now?
21 of the 102 told us in the last six weeks they have space: Bosworth Marina, Lichfield Cruising Club, Shire Cruisers, Sowerby Bridge, Shardlow Marina, Burscough Bridge L1 Leisure, Monk Meadow, Aspley Wharf Marina, Thames Boat House and 13 more. Each page shows the date they told us and what they have.
Can you live aboard at cheapest narrowboat moorings in the UK?
36 of the 102 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), Selby Boat Centre (liveaboards allowed), Panmure Wharf, Firhill (liveaboards allowed), Auchinstarry Marina (residential moorings with planning consent) and 28 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, 50 need a Canal & River Trust boat licence, 15 need Environment Agency registration (Thames, Medway, Anglian waterways), 1 need Broads Authority tolls, 22 need a Scottish Canals licence, 1 need an Avon Navigation Trust licence and 9 need the navigation's own licence. Coastal marinas usually need none.
Broader
Cheapest narrowboat moorings by county
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