Mooring at Hampton Court. Maybe?

[Falling Star]

We are planning to take the boat up the Thames next weekend and stay a couple of nights at Hampton Court.

Are we likely to find a spot to moor up there or does it get full up? If so, where else could we stay?

Not keen on being the other side of Molesey and Sunbury locks as we will struggle to get back in time to enter St. Kats on Monday.

 

[rosssavage]

No way to tell - we were there last weds night, only three boats there (we were two of them...) but it can be suddenly filled by narrowboats or transient yacht clubs....

 

[Outinthedinghy]

Depending on what type of boat it is you might be able to get in opposite the islands about half a mile down from Hampton court. If you have twin engines on legs it might be dodgy but I have managed to moor my barge there (opposite the gap in the islands where there is a shallow water warning sign) when the main Hampton court moorings were full. I wouldn't expect the normal moorings to fill up this early in the season but they might.

There is also a spot just above Hampton court bridge on left going towards the lock but that's not very nice and may be "squatted" anyway. And there are some discarded items in there possibly trolleys so a bit dodgy.

Or you could stop at the Albany but would need a tender if you wish to visit the palace or park.

 

[Actionmat]

unfortunately, Magna Carta and a handful of poorly spaced narowboats can hog the lot, but at this time of year I reckon you'd be okay.
If you're staying for a couple of nights, you'll be paying a mooring fee for night two, so I reckon you might be able to reserve a spot by calling the ticket office and paying in advance. I've seen a reserved sign or two in the past, so it's worth a phone call.

 

[Outinthedinghy]

That's interesting about booking a mooring there - that would be very handy ! Thanks for pointing that out. I wonder if that's for all boats or maybe they have some sort of deal for commercial vessels?

 

[boatone]

Been busy this bank holiday weekend but would be surprised if you can't find a slot next weekend.

 

[Falling Star]

Thanks everyone. Hopefully we will get in somewhere. I will keep all the suggestions in mind.

Just tried to book a slot as mentioned by Actionmat but apparently they won't reserve a space now so I guess that's changed.

If all else fails, could we head back to Teddington and tie up just upstream from the lock? Is that allowed?

 

[boatone]

If all else fails, could we head back to Teddington and tie up just upstream from the lock? Is that allowed?

Yes as long as you pay the overnight charge. There are also moorings at Kingston above the bridge on the starboard side.

 

[Falling Star]

Yes, happy to do that. Maybe try out The Anglers if we end up there.

 

[No Regrets]

It was full of Bray Cruiser Club boats this weekend! We had our Easter cruise. Only a few others...

 

[Outinthedinghy]

In my experience the teddington lock cut mooring is more of a goodwill arrangement as the lock keeper doesn't always come out and collect - they rely on you to go and pay so in my view you could argue that you are using it as a stopping point while you wait to go out the lock. And moor right at the top near the scruffy boats (if they are still there and have not been put in the clink)

Anyway the EA need the money so its probably best overall to go and announce your presence to the lock keeper !!

 

[Actionmat]

The Royal Palace moorings opposite the town centre in Kingston haven't been as busy recently(despite some of the Teddington Lock pikey overspill occupying them for months). If it is busy, Stevens Eyot is often available, but you have to time it right as the NB that tows a cruiser moves from that mooring to the Jolly Boatman spot on a daily basis.
If it's Hampton Court you're after, you could always bang a couple of pins in between Ravens Eyot and the The Albany on the Middlesex side of the bank. There's plenty of depth just past the island along Home Park.

 

[Dave_Seager]

You could also try Molesey Lock for a mooring. We have moored there in the past.

 

[rosssavage]

Hampton court moorings are fully submerged today, and likely to be for a couple more days...

 

[Outinthedinghy]

Where did you moor? I'm guessing it was behind the lock office in the weir stream? I've seen boats at the beginning of the downstream lock layby which weren't going through but they are a bit of an obstruction if the rest of the layby is occupied by waiting boats.

I wonder if the cruising club opposite (is it TMYC or something) have a visitor mooring available?

 

[Falling Star]

Hampton court moorings are fully submerged today, and likely to be for a couple more days...

Ah. Thanks for the info. :ambivalence:

 

[oldgit]

I wonder if the cruising club opposite (is it TMYC or something) have a visitor mooring available?

.....you do need to book , via their website, well in advance.
More chance if any club boats are moored away..... some of the inner berths will test your helming skills .

 

[Marlene]

I walked over Hampton Court bridge this morning and there was only one boat moored up on the Hampton Court mooring, a wide beam barge, plus the Thames river levels have dropped a bit so you possibly won't get your feet wet mooring up.

 

[No Regrets]

.....you do need to book , via their website, well in advance.
More chance if any club boats are moored away..... some of the inner berths will test your helming skills .

We recently enquired for a Club event, and they quoted £20 per boat per night.

I won't bother talking to any of them if they want to be stupid about it... :roll eyes:


Wholly unimpressed...

 

[apollo]

Agreed. BCC used to stay there a lot when it was a tenner. Their loss.