Public Moorings - Abingdon

thamesS23

thamesS23

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Every year we have our two week holiday cruise from Bray, up to Abingdon and back. We always reserve the lock island moorings for 2 days at Abingdon and they are a great quiet little secure mooring (with electric). I just rang up to reserve for this year (July), and was told that the moorings for the days we want are fully booked for a week by two 60ft boats !!

I wondered what peoples expericences are of the public moorings in Abingdon as we have never used them. As far as I can remember you have when going upstream:
1) the moorings below the bridge
2) the moorings after the bridge on the field on the right
3) the moorings after the bridge on the left by the swimming pool
4) the moorings after the lock by the pump out and water fill up.

I always got the impression that the ones after the bridge by the field after the bridge had a bit of a 'live aboard' feel to them, but don't know if that is true as have never overnighted there.
The ones before the bridge seem a bit better, but not sure how quiet and secure they are overnight and also whether there would be any available.

Anyone moored there regually who could advise?

Cheers
 
Below the bridge generally best if you can find a space, don't go for the last space just below the bridge there is a nasty concrete ledge there.
Swimming pool moorings have too many kids hanging around in the evenings, opposite is ok but the bank is less friendly.
 
the lock keeper at Abingdon did say that Sanford lock has visitor moorings, but from memory don't those back onto a pub? anyone ever moored up there overnight.

I think I will just take a chance and go for one of the moorings before the bridge, but only stay for one night and maybe do another night in Clifton Hampden.
 
Moored at Sanford lock several times. Only two lock moorings and electric available.
Pub so close you can almost order from your boat :(
thames_abingdon_oxford_12.jpg
 
Unfortunately nothing of interest in the immediate area. (or shops)
Pub nice and quiet, nice garden and good food (at least it was 2 yrs ago)
Nice stop over but I wouldn't go there for fortnight :encouragement:
 
thamesS23 said:
I just rang up to reserve for this year (July), and was told that the moorings for the days we want are fully booked for a week by two 60ft boats !!
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I bet they're not boats at all. More like 5ft wide canal caravans off to hog two or three river cruiser spaces at a time on a river with limited moorings.

My experience of the public moorings at Abingdon is positive., but space is at a premium.
The moorings next to the play park can be a bit noisy during the day, but they're the most convenient for Waitrose etc.
Just past the lock to your right is a beautiful meadow. Last year it was occupied by liveaboards. If they've buggered off it looked like a great place to moor up.
 
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Not much of anything in Sandford, too close to Oxford

Last time I was in Abingdon the livaboards had been moved on from above the bridge.
(to afore mentioned meadow)
 
I did get the feeling that they are two canal boats, who have booked the moorings at the same time for the same period , who could be friends cruising together. I did think maybe they could raft up together if that was the case, but in fairness, they did book in advance of me, so fair play to them.
 
Perhaps as your usual mooring is booked up you could try something a bit different for your two week holiday?

Has a salty water trip never appealed?
 
I have also been trying to book our mooring at Bensons Marina (normally stay a couple of nights there), but they haven't answered the phone for two days (going straight to a generic BT voicemail), so have left a message and emailed them but no response.
 
CX54WEK said:
Perhaps as your usual mooring is booked up you could try something a bit different for your two week holiday?

Has a salty water trip never appealed?
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I have always fancied the idea of doing the Scottish Loch's, which I know you have planned for later this year.

But being honest we both love the relaxed pace of the the Thames, and haven't got bored of it yet, even after 11 years. We will just change were we moor up and when this year slightly. We had got our 2 week plan pretty well sussed over the years though, with filling up with water, pumping out and re-charging the batteries on shore power hook ups.
 
thamesS23 said:
I have always fancied the idea of doing the Scottish Loch's, which I know you have planned for later this year.

But being honest we both love the relaxed pace of the the Thames, and haven't got bored of it yet, even after 11 years. We will just change were we moor up and when this year slightly. We had got our 2 week plan pretty well sussed over the years though, with filling up with water, pumping out and re-charging the batteries on shore power hook ups.
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Do you not find it boring doing the same stretch each year?

It would drive us insane!

Will let you know how we get on with Scotland. Hopefully the weather will improve up there in the next month............
 
CX54WEK said:
Do you not find it boring doing the same stretch each year?

It would drive us insane!

...........
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I've sailed and boated all over the place from Scottish Islands to the Mediterranean but you can't beat the Thames, been cruising it all my life.
Isn't it time you visited?
 
Chris_d said:
I've sailed and boated all over the place from Scottish Islands to the Mediterranean but you can't beat the Thames, been cruising it all my life.
Isn't it time you visited?
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It is on the list.

Won't be next year as we have that all booked up already but possibly the year after for our summer cruise.
 
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