A wide choice of destinations for lovers of the narrowboating way of life
BARTON AND MERCIA MARINAS DRAW HUGE NUMBERS OF VISITORS BUT DID YOU KNOW THERE ARE OTHER PLACES TO GO IN THE AREA?
STAFFORDSHIRE and Derbyshire are rich with winding canals running through picturesque countryside.
And without having to travel too far we have some of the stunning marinas you can visit to take in the sights and enjoy being near the water.
Barton Marina in Staffordshire and Mercia Marina, in Willington, just over the border in Derbyshire, are widely known for their range of eateries, shops, services and moored boats, as well as activities all year round for the family.
They also include lovely walks, taking in the countryside, with the promise of lots of wildlife to enjoy.
But did you know that there are many more marinas for visitors to wander around and where boats can moor up and enjoy the scenery?
Many have restaurants to dine at and shops for tourists to browse, while boaters can take advantage of the many services provided, all in tranquil settings of the beautiful countryside.
Whether it is just a sit down in pleasant surroundings you want or perhaps a little more entertainment, these marinas have it all and are not far away.
Here are what you can expect from each of them as you and your family head out for a day by the canal.
BARTON MARINA
Barton Marina in Barton under Needwood opened for business in 2001 and is home to more than 300 narrowboats linked to the Trent and Mersey Canal.
Woodland covers much of the 90-acre site, intersected by a network of paths and bridges.
Prior to 1994, a visitor would have found wheat growing or cattle grazing on the site, but over the next three years, more than a million tonnes of sand and gravel were excavated to create the marina and two fishing lakes. The Waterfront Pub, now a popular venue with a reputation for good food and a large selection of drinks, came into being in 2007. Other eating places, quality shops and a cinema quickly followed, all built in the same Victorian warehouse style using reclaimed timber and brick. Shops and restaurants have reopened following lockdown and include Nero e Bianco; John Partridge; Bluewater; Alyssa and Start & Tremayne.
Food includes Thai restaurant Thai Marina; Barton Marina Cafe; The Waterfront, and The Apple Tree.
The Mug Tug ceramic painting boat has now reopened.
The Red Carpet Cinema is one of 42 cinemas to get a share of £650,000 from the Culture Recovery Fund for Independent Cinemas.
SHOBNALL MARINA
Situated in the heart of Burton is Shobnall Marina, on the Trent and Mersey Canal.
It offers moorings, diesel, pumpout, water, chandlery, boat sales, and repairs.
Following lockdown, unfortunately its Boat and Buffy café has closed down.
The marina is operated by Jannel Cruisers which started business in 1973 in the tiny part that was left of
Shobnall Basin. The Hines family reopened the basin and in 1980 created a dry dock on the line of the Bond End Canal.
The marina has car parking, disabled access and baby change facilities.
Gates open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Saturday, and from 10am to
4pm on Sundays.
KINGS BROMLEY MARINA
Kings Bromley
Marina, also on the
Trent and Mersey Canal, hosts 275 narrowboat berths in two phases linked by a canal style bridge.
It is described as friendly yet tranquil, and a perfect narrowboat marina to just sit and enjoy being on the boat, or to explore the Four
Counties and Cheshire Ring canal network.
A few miles from Fradley Junction and a short cycle ride or walk to the nearest pub, Kings Bromley Marina is also conveniently situated for Lichfield and Beeston with the M6 only 20 minutes away. With all the necessary inland marina services on site many berth holders stay for several years enjoying the combination of seclusion and convenience.
ASTON MARINA
The marina is located adjacent to Aston Lock, just south of Stone on
the Trent and Mersey Canal.
The bustling market town of Stone – with its shops and restaurants, and country pubs – is just a short walk away.
Aston Marina has 200 berths available for long-term and temporary moorings.
It also boasts a restaurant named for the canal lock that neighbours the marina, No.26 Bar & Dining promises a relaxed dining experience in surroundings designed to make the most of its waterside setting.
MERCIA MARINA
For the day visitor, there are a number of circular wildlife walks, activities on day boats and boat trips at the attraction, in Findern Lane, Willington.
The national award-winning Boardwalk building houses a suite of boutiques, including a farm shop and coffee house, a two-story bar and restaurant and furniture and gift shops.
The 74-acre site also has tea rooms, a convenience store, boat sales and waterside lodges for sale or holiday let.
All the restaurants and cafés are open as normal, following the latest Government announcement.
Before the marina was built, Willington Lake was a private fishery, enjoyed by a few solitary fishermen, but hardly anyone else.
Before lockdown, it was a bustling destination, very popular with boaters, holidaymakers in the luxury lodges and casual visitors coming to marvel at the largest inland marina in Europe.
Being very easy to find and accessible with free parking and entry, Mercia is one of Derbyshire’s favourite beauty spots, boasting close to 800,000 visitors a year.