Suffolk Yacht Harbour Opinions

[jon and michie]

Hi - does anyone have any knowledge about Suffolk Yacht Harbour / Levington Marina ?
I have been on the website and it mentions 3 showering facilities - is this just 3 showers on the marina or 3 shower blocks with multiple showers - is there ample parking etc etc
Many thanks in advance
jon

 

[Yorkshire Exile]

Three shower blocks with multiple showers. The shower blocks are probably the best part of SYH. There is plenty of parking but not necessarily where you want it (a bit chaotic in places).

 

[jon and michie]

Three shower blocks with multiple showers. The shower blocks are probably the best part of SYH. There is plenty of parking but not necessarily where you want it (a bit chaotic in places).

Thank You @Yorkshire Exile
what's it like as a marina on the whole ??
Thinking of a new area to moor my next Boat
Jon

 

[johnalison]

I haven't visited for a few years, though I have always enjoyed doing so, but have savoured their newer shore facilities. I would regard Levington as having the best marina access to the sea locally, without the bother of the lock at Shotley or the tidal restrictions of Titchmarsh where I am. I enjoy Titchmarsh but might well have chose Levington if the road journey had been shorter for me.

 

[jon and michie]

I haven't visited for a few years, though I have always enjoyed doing so, but have savoured their newer shore facilities. I would regard Levington as having the best marina access to the sea locally, without the bother of the lock at Shotley or the tidal restrictions of Titchmarsh where I am. I enjoy Titchmarsh but might well have chose Levington if the road journey had been shorter for me.

Thank you @johnalison - I was originally at North Fambridge and that was a great marina except from the distance to the North Sea.
Just considering my Options either Burnham on Crouch or Suffolk Yacht Harbour.
I am Liking the area of suffolk marina as it seems like there is more parking space than Burnham and looks more secure as opposed to Burnham's Car park.
Burnham has the benefit of the Train Station near by if I wanted to go to London for the Day But Ipswich isnt that far away either.

 

[Major_Clanger]

SYH is great and probably the best marina on the Orwell IMO. The facilities are fine, loads of parking and the general air of of a friendly, pleasantly higgledy-piggledy marina that's simple to get in/out of. It has a good chandlery too along with riggers/sailmakers which is a bonus. They have a good racing scene as well. Short distance from the sea and you've got the joys of the Orwell and Stour to explore. Two very different rivers in close proximity.

 

[jon and michie]

SYH is great and probably the best marina on the Orwell IMO. The facilities are fine, loads of parking and the general air of of a friendly, pleasantly higgledy-piggledy marina that's simple to get in/out of. It has a good chandlery too along with riggers/sailmakers which is a bonus. They have a good racing scene as well. Short distance from the sea and you've got the joys of the Orwell and Stour to explore. Two very different rivers in close proximity.

Thank You @Major_Clanger - I Think my minds made up - just need to find time to have a jolly down there and see it in the flesh
Jon

 

[MikeBz]

As marinas go we like SYH. It doesn’t feel like a concrete basin, there is a nice backdrop of trees, and nice walks along the seawall in both directions (esp around Levington Creek to the Ship Inn). The car parking is a bit ad-hoc but to me preferable to a large tarmaced white-lined supermarket type of affair.

 

[johnalison]

As marinas go we like SYH. It doesn’t feel like a concrete basin, there is a nice backdrop of trees, and nice walks along the seawall in both directions (esp around Levington Creek to the Ship Inn). The car parking is a bit ad-hoc but to me preferable to a large tarmaced white-lined supermarket type of affair.

It used to be a lovely place for walks, which is why we often went there when we were courting, and then somebody stuck a ruddy great marina in the way. We got wed nevertheless.

 

[Snowgoose-1]

I was there for three seasons. Great location for day sails. Ipswich/Stour/Backwaters/Woodbridge Haven amongst other things. Rather quiet in the Winter.

 

[mrming]

As others have said the shower facilities are beyond reproach. More like a high end hotel than the typical grotty marina facilities. There’s also the charming (and welcoming) Haven Ports YC in an old light vessel. As a visitor, the only drawback is, Levington is in the middle of nowhere. Wouldn’t be a problem for a local berth holder though.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

As others have said the shower facilities are beyond reproach. More like a high end hotel than the typical grotty marina facilities. There’s also the charming (and welcoming) Haven Ports YC in an old light vessel. As a visitor, the only drawback is, Levington is in the middle of nowhere. Wouldn’t be a problem for a local berth holder though.

The trouble is that the Lightship is the only game in town as far as food is concerned. As @mrming says, Levington is miles from anywhere and unless you have a car available (which a resident would), your eating choices are limited. And while I've had some decent meals at the Lightship, I've also had some less than satisfactory ones. Also, it is far from shops - the chandlery carries a small range of groceries, but if you want more than basic supplies, again you need a car.

 

[Yorkshire Exile]

The trouble is that the Lightship is the only game in town as far as food is concerned. As @mrming says, Levington is miles from anywhere and unless you have a car available (which a resident would), your eating choices are limited. And while I've had some decent meals at the Lightship, I've also had some less than satisfactory ones. Also, it is far from shops - the chandlery carries a small range of groceries, but if you want more than basic supplies, again you need a car.

I agree that it would be good, especially for visiting sailors if the chandlery could stock basics like milk, bacon, bread etc. There is also the pub at Levington village which is 30 minutes walk along the river bank. The new cafe at the entrance to the marina is also available during the day.

 

[johnalison]

I agree that it would be good, especially for visiting sailors if the chandlery could stock basics like milk, bacon, bread etc. There is also the pub at Levington village which is 30 minutes walk along the river bank. The new cafe at the entrance to the marina is also available during the day.

The Ship Inn at Levington is a nice place but it has had its ups and downs over the years. I have had some of the best as well as worst pub food there, but I have no idea about the current regime. It's not a bad summer walk there and back.

The chandlery has in the past provided a few groceries and newspapers, which was helpful to visitors but probably less useful to residents. The presence of engineers, and sailmakers etc in site is another attraction too.

 

[jon and michie]

Many thanks for your opinions so far - I am thinking as I mentioned earlier I'm Thinking of using as a berth and not as a passing visitor.
So far plenty of positives
Jon

 

[CrossedThreads]

The Ship Inn at Levington is a nice place but it has had its ups and downs over the years. I have had some of the best as well as worst pub food there, but I have no idea about the current regime. It's not a bad summer walk there and back.

The chandlery has in the past provided a few groceries and newspapers, which was helpful to visitors but probably less useful to residents. The presence of engineers, and sailmakers etc in site is another attraction too.

We’ve eaten there both this year, and last. Both times the food has been very good. It’s currently owned by the Deben Inns group (same as Butt & Oyster) so I think you’ll enjoy it once again.

 

[RivalRedwing]

The Ship at Levington is (at least currently) good. I believe that the chandlers have stopped stocking basic food, milk etc but the new(ish) cafe by the entrance, the Harbourside Kitchen is offering a pre-ordered / next day delivery of food stuffs if you are that organised see: Welcome - Harbourside Kitchen. Other eateries include the Mariners Freehouse and the Hand in Hand at Trimley St Martins, a nice walk in the summer, sadly Goslings PYO strawberry farm and cafe at Trimly has gone..
I like it at SYH, the yard staff are good too.

 

[Mike T]

SYH is a great marina for all the reasons people have mentioned. The shower blocks are amazing. Due to that I might suggest anyone considering it enquires about berth availability. I don't see many free berths there for that reason.