Pubs on the Swale

Gitane

Gitane

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I am planning to sail from Bradwell to Sheppey, up the Swale this weekend.

Can anyone recommend any good pubs for the saturday evening which could be reached from an anchor/mooring on the Swale, with or without a dinghy?

Also, any recommendations on anchoring/mooring on the Swale. Gitane draws just 3 feet.

Gitane
 
Only one I know of is Harty Ferry. Beer not brilliant but good pub grub. Anchorage just off of the pub slipway. Lovely spot.

If you can be bothered, I have film of it in the video section of my blog thing, address below.
 
:):)

Queenborough has plenty of Pubs, but cannot say how good / bad they are, also a good landing / going ashore pontoon, with I understand, a 'ferrying' boat that sometimes operates in the area, or use your dinghy.

Also a 'Chandlers' within easy walking distance of Pontoons

Hollowshore, on the mainland side, has a Country Pub next to a Sailing Club and Boatyard and good walks, into Faversham if you feel inclined. Also Youngs Boatyard at the head of the creek.
 
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The Shipwright Arms at Faversham is certainly worth a visit. Their Chocolate Puddle Pudding is something special. Pick up a buoy or moor on the Oare Creek side of Harty Ferry and row up the creek to the pub. There is usually just enough water to row up or back at low water in a dinghy or inflatable. Launching across teh mud can be a small problem. Get your tides right and it is a most enjoyable excursion.

You say your boat draws only 3 feet, depending on your keel configuration you may be able to take the mud up Oare Creek itself.
 
I'll agree with all the above. Just one note - check the notices to mariners first. They've been doing a lot of cable laying work up around the Hartyferry end of the Swale recently and I have half an idea that mooring may be restricted in some places.
 
maby said:
I'll agree with all the above. Just one note - check the notices to mariners first. They've been doing a lot of cable laying work up around the Hartyferry end of the Swale recently and I have half an idea that mooring may be restricted in some places.
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Cable laying in the East Swale is seaward of all the normal anchorages so shouldn't be a problem. I don't think any work is in progress at the moment, but the next cable is due to start soon. If there are any restrictions there will be the guard vessel Sorrento and an escort boat to guide you safely past.

The visitors buoys in Queenborough get a bit busy at times especially if the weather is good. I have been to the Flying Dutchman in Queenborough a couple of times and they do a good carvery and the beers OK. The Chandlery mentioned, sadly closed a few years ago. I’m not sure about the ferry boat, I would plan to use a dinghy if that’s where you go.

I haven’t much experience of the Shipwrights at Hollowshore apart from a brief visit at high water a few years ago for a pint in a lift keel Jaguar 21 from which we stepped ashore on to the marshes just above the pub.

My favourite spot is off the Ferry Inn at Harty on the Sheppey side. Either pick up one of the buoys or anchor. The hard goes right down to low water, although a bit muddy in places. Watch the tide though as it can be vicious especially on a Spring tide. As already said the pub does good food, although it is a very old Inn, it has lost a lot of its old charm in recent years and can get very busy with Weddings and private functions. If you intend heading there and eating, it could be worth phoning ahead and booking a table.
 
Cable-laying work etc has no effect on mooring in the Swale from Harty westwards.
Alternative place to anchor is South Deep but a long way from a pub - dinghy ashore right there and walk to Conyer, 'The Ship' is a bit of a gastro-pub. South Deep is a lovely spot.
'Ferry Boat Inn' on the North shore at Harty, as mentioned.
'Shipwrights Arms' at Hollowshore, as also mentioned. Landlord doesn't like customers but otherwise it's OK. Hollowshore Cruising Club is not there, we moved several years ago and it is now in the Youngboats building at the head of Oare Creek, facing the road. Bar open 12-3 every Sunday.
Two pubs close by the club in Oare village, the 'Castle', good beer and pub grub; just up the road, the 'Three Mariners', Shepherd Neame gastro pub. You could walk to all these from the causeway on the S side at Harty, about a mile.
In Queenborough, chandlers went years ago when the owner retired.
Two pubs handy: 'The Old House at Home' on the corner nearest the sea, OK sort of pub. Bit further up the road, the 'Flying Dutchman', big variety of pub grub, more of a family restaurant really. In between the two, Queenborough YC, bar usually open at weekends. Should be able to get a trip ashore and back at Queenborough at weekends at this time of year.
 
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Thanks to all for the replies.

Looks like there are plenty of places to choose from.

Weather looks absolutely perfect this weekend, so I am looking forward to departing tomorrow morning.

Gitane.
 
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Picked up a buoy at Queenboro the other day. The launch came round at 1800 and charged me £10. There's now a trot boat from the buoys to the hammerhead on Fri, Sat and Sun from 6 to 11 pm. Forgot to ask if included in the tenner
 
Well, did the trip to the Swale this weekend.

East wind, so it took ages to get out of the Blackwater and across the Spitway.

Then fast passage down the Maplin sands. Turned left at SW Barrow only to meet a very rough Thames crossing. I guess an easterly F4-5 kicks up choppy waves on the Thames, even with wind with tide. Got dumped on by rogue waves a few times as the wind increased to I guess a good F5, with the odd strong gust beyond that. However pleased to see that my 21ft Gitane was up to the job.

Finally got to Harty Ferry just as the sun went down and the wind picked up to a F6 according to the weather man. Decided that it was too windy and we were too tired to go to the any of the recommended pubs. Tinned curry and beer on the water it was then

Contemplated what we would do if the same sea state remained for the Sunday as we didn't fancy a repeat of Saturdays conditions , but the wind dropped overnight and we had a great sail back on the Sunday.

Didn't see any cable working or guard boats at all, but did see lots of very nice old barges anchored in the Swale, must have been some meet I guess.


Anyone else had a bumpy ride on Saturday?

Gitane
 
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Pleased to hear your trip went well. Can indeed be bumpy across the estuary! There was a goodly sea breeze on Saturday - I was on the committee boat for the Swale Barge Match all day, and it was blowing 22knots by 1400 when all the action had finished - shame you missed it all. Wind certainly continued to get up during the afternoon while we waited for the tide, so you made the right decision not to dinghy ashore. Anyway, we think tinned curries on board are great, much better than the dreaded FB's.
Some close finishes in the Barge Match - here are 'Mirosa', Marjorie', and 'Decima', yards from the line at the 'Receptive' buoy just east of the Harty anchorage.
 
Cantata said:
There was a goodly sea breeze on Saturday - I was on the committee boat for the Swale Barge Match all day
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Did you get any pics of the smacks? I was at the helm of Alberta for the day, allowing her new owner to get to know her better by running around the deck all day. It was certainly breezier than expected. We had our hands fairly full with 5 bodies on board, including 2 slight ladies but still managed to fly the spinnaker in from Whitstable Street, dropping it before the finish in deference to the ever- tightening runner and increasing wind which headed a bit as we made our way up The Swale. Fantastic event and a great weekend for a jaunt from B'sea to Kent and back.

Mike
 
I did Bradwell to stangate on saturday - all wrong according to accepted "folk law". I had a great beat from Bradwell to the Colne Bar and beyond, 2 reefs in the main and some genny rolled up and she went like a train, motored over the Spitway as it would have been a dead beat and then sailed down the Swin, not too bad, but from SW Barrow across to t he Medway it was horrid! Really nasty following sea and a tender that kept wanting to come aboard! Great relief to get into Stangate, tho very crowded - apologies to the Seadog and A.N. Other rafted up near me, I was a bit close, but too knackered to up anchor and move, turned out Ok in the end. Funny day, super beating and 'orrible with the wind behind me
 
Hello All,
I would like to up-date everyone with Queenborough Harbour. Though we are indeed charging £12.00 per boat we are supplying a free trot boat service.
Between July and August we will be changing the hours of the trot operation. It is presently running Friday to Monday 08.00 - 10.00 and 16.00 - 22.00. We will be changing the operation during July and August on Saturday and Sundays to run 10.00 - 22.00. Other days the times will remain in place.
You can contact Queenborough Harbour on Channel 08 call sign Sheppey one or call 01795 662051.
 
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