Milford Haven - local knowdege and advice wanted

[Ubergeekian]

Folks

All being well, I'll soon be picking up a new-to-me boat in Milford Haven. My plan is to stick her on a pontoon there for a week or two while I check the inventory, augment as require, get some local trips in and prepare for the delivery trip home.

However, I know nothing - practically - of the area, and I could really do with some advice. In particular ...

* Where would be a good place to keep a boat for a couple of weeks? Neyland marina? Milford marina? Somewhere else? I'd prefer a pontoon because I expect to be doing a lot of coming and going with stuff.

* What chandlers are there in the area? Any particularly good ones?

* Can I reasonably plan to do this without a car - ie are there berths within walking distance of supermarkets and so on - or should I plan to drive down?

Many thanks in advance for an advice anyone can give.

 

[Bosunof]

I used Milford Marina. I found it safe and steady plus secure too. There are chandlers and engineers nearby, certainly within easy walking distance. Lovely restaurant there too. Station is only a couple of hundred yards away too. Not much parking I seem to remember.

 

[carise]

You could post this on Bristol Channel Forum- a lot more likely to get local info/knowledge. Good luck.

 

[Coaster]

* Where would be a good place to keep a boat for a couple of weeks? Neyland marina? Milford marina? Somewhere else? I'd prefer a pontoon because I expect to be doing a lot of coming and going with stuff.

We bought a boat in Plymouth earlier this year and had it transported to Milford Haven. We've had various works carried out. The boat now has a permanent berth in Milford Marina.

I'm fairly sure that Milford can find you a temporary berth. Parking (free) and boat access are excellent. If you're interested I suggest you phone the marina office on 01646 696313. If possible speak to Eira. She is exceptionally helpful.

The only other marina is Neyland but I understand that no boats are allowed there in January - not much use for overwintering.

* What chandlers are there in the area? Any particularly good ones?

I strongly recommend Windjammer Marine, chandlers, engineers and general boat works, based in the marina yard. The chandlery stock is relatively small but they will get items in quickly and at competetive prices. Speak to David Coates on 01646 699070.

* Can I reasonably plan to do this without a car - ie are there berths within walking distance of supermarkets and so on - or should I plan to drive down?

There is also a railway station a few hundred yards away, for those that use rail. Tesco is next to the station.

If you want any more info PM me.

Good luck.

 

[Bilge Rat]

We moved our boat from Aberystwyth to Milford Marina earlier this year and it has been a really good decision.

As per previous posts... Tesco a 5 minute walk, station only a few minutes further on. The marina is surrounded by shops, restaurants (not found a bad one yet!) and Windjammer who are very helpful and whilst don't have everything in stock are both reasonably priced and can get stock in at short notice. The marina staff are friendly and the facilities very good.

The marina itself is very sheltered and the lock is both huge and a doddle, also a good excuse for a chat with fellow yachties.

We looked at Neyland and whilst it is picturesque it is off the beaten track if you want civilisation and access to a chandlery and a supermarket. You may also encounter an issue over the winter season as they dredge one or other of the basins and have to move boats about, thus restricting access for visitors. Also have heard more than one less than favourable report about the boatyard there; although no personal experience.

Whilst our previous cruising ground of Aberystwyth and Cardigan Bay was fabulous Milford has the added benefit of access to the wildlife on Skoma and Skokholm and very sheltered pottering grounds within the river itself, once you pass east of the oil and gas terminals (easy to navigate past)

Good luck and message us for any specifics...

 

[AngusMcDoon]

Just returned from a delivery trip that stopped in Neyland, so some thoughts...

1) Food supplies very limited, just a small Co-op in the town.
2) Quite a bit further from the open sea than Milford.
3) Good chandlery at Dale Sailing boat yard 5 minutes walk away
4) Unrestricted tidal access in the lower basin

 

[mustntgrumble]

I certainly agree with Coaster & BilgeRat - Milford is sheltered, convenient, and helpful staff & engineers. Neyland is a bit out on a limb. I've just moved back there after a 3 year absence, & glad I did so.

If you arrive by train you get a scenic tour of S wales thrown in, but it's a while since any trains left Castle Douglas, I used the service regularly before Dr Beeching did his bit

 

[Matt341]

HI There,

We are based in Neyland Marina, upper basin, which means we are slightly restricted, we get 3 hours either side of high water and that is allowing about 5 foot of water even though we only draw max 4.

We have been bertholders in both Milford and Neyland and each have their advantages and disadvantages. The main problem we had with Milford were the locks. They can break down and did a few times leaving us stranded and you do have to give notice to access or exit (cant remember which), having said that its a big lock but then at the same time can take ages to drain/fill. Milford is close to Tesco's, trains etc. We rarely stayed on the boat in Milford as found it was often quite noisy, especially down one end which is close to the fishing fleet, this is personal experience though and others may have different opinions. Windjammer marine is an excellent chandlery and they supplied/fitted a new engine to our previous boat, they are very helpful and are reasonably priced. Milford also has good yard facilities but im not sure if they are only for bertholders. Parking around the marina is not a problem and its all free.

Now for Neyland, as I said before there are no locks just a tidal sill for the upper basin and the lower basin have access whenever, however, the lower basin do have to vacate their berths for January as they dredge but as you would most likely be on visitor rates I imagine they would put you in the upper basin for this period. We have found Neyland to be more sheltered than Milford in all directions appart from due South. Parking is fine although the nearest train is Milford and the nearest Tesco is either Milford or Pembroke. For chandlery there is a small one by the marina office but the main one is dale sailing, they seem to stock a good amount of bits and bobs and the prices seem reasonable.

As we stay on the boat a lot I prefer Neyland, its quieter and nothing beats sitting in the cockpit early morning watching the seals around the boat.


Hope this helps
Ian

 

[Ubergeekian]

I certainly agree with Coaster & BilgeRat - Milford is sheltered, convenient, and helpful staff & engineers. Neyland is a bit out on a limb. I've just moved back there after a 3 year absence, & glad I did so.

If you arrive by train you get a scenic tour of S wales thrown in, but it's a while since any trains left Castle Douglas, I used the service regularly before Dr Beeching did his bit

Many thanks. Yes, I was a little surprised at home long it takes by train, but I suppose the donkey pulling it has to stop for hay now and again. Castle Douglas station - well, the goods shed - is now my friendly local builders' merchant, so th etrip south will start from Dumfries or Lockerbie.

 

[Ubergeekian]

We have been bertholders in both Milford and Neyland and each have their advantages and disadvantages.

Many thanks. I think I'll go for Milford on the grounds of accessibility, not just for me but for anyone I talk into coming along for the delivery.

 

[GeorgeLlewellin]

Milford Marina etc.

Milford Marina lock times can be found here
www.mhpa.co.uk/content.asp?article_id=1720&directory_id=16&d=98

Free flow (both lock gates open) is from 02:10 hours before HW to 00:10 before HW.
During free flow all you need to do is clear your passage with the “Pear Head” on channel 14. All details about this and locking in and out are on the web page detailed above.

I live near Milford but keep a boat on a drying mooring at Sandy Haven, I would confirm what others have said above about the facilities at Milford, Windjammer are particularly good. The islands are lovely and the estuary is really beautiful and well worth several trips to explore the various tributaries. The best local pilot book I have come across is Tom Bennett’s “Pembrokeshire Coastline” ISBN 0 9512114 7 1 in it he details necessary information for the Jack Sound and the Ramsey Sound and much more.

PM me if you require any specific information that I may be able to help with. Good sailing, George.