New flood-safe moorings open on the River Avon
KEEN naturalists and wildlife enthusiasts now have a new moorings option on the River Avon.
A spot to while away the time spotting kingfishers commuting up and down stream, watching otters frolicking at dawn, or glimpsing barn owls swooping at dusk, the moorings also have a built-in conservation benefit, with all profits being Gift Aided to support the Heart of England Forest.
Forest Bank Moorings is a newly constructed marina basin located in Barton, nestling in beautiful countryside within the Heart of England Forest, England’s largest new native broadleaf forest.
A total of 17 berths are available on annual licences for narrowboats, cruisers and widebeam boats ranging in size from 20ft to 60ft. The flood-safe floating pontoon berths are stable and illuminated making access to boats safe and easy.
For convenience, each berth has its own electricity hook-up and there is a water supply to each pontoon.
There is a dedicated car park for berth holders and a security gate prevents unauthorised access to the pontoons. Berth holders will benefit from access to the wider marina facilities at nearby Dovecote Moorings, including Calor
Gas supply, chemical toilet waste disposal, slipway and dry boat storage area.
Heart of England Forest chief executive, Beth Brook, is delighted to welcome new berth holders to the site. “We are very excited to be opening Forest Bank Moorings, which acts as one of the gateways into the Heart of England Forest.
“The moorings are operated by the charity’s wholly owned subsidiary, so people can not only enjoy the picturesque River Avon but do so in the comfort that they are supporting the growth of the country’s largest new native broadleaf forest.”
She added: “We look forward to welcoming new boating visitors into the forest, whether to spot one of the country’s rarest butterflies such as the purple emperor, to catch a glimpse of one of several IUCN Red List birds of conservation concern, or just to enjoy a stroll in the adjacent woodland marvelling at the dappled sunlight on tree leaves – the forest has something for everyone.”
Forest Bank Moorings is situated in Barton, a pretty village just seven miles to the west of Stratford-uponAvon. Whether cruising along the picturesque River Avon, striking out directly from your gangplank on country walks in the Heart of England Forest, or venturing slightly further afield to the Cotswolds, you will enjoy some of the most spectacular scenery in England.
Information: Contact marina manager Mark Waterson on 07500 700718, mark. waterson@hoef. co.uk