General Information

The former dock estate has become a popular destination where visitors can enjoy interesting views and a range of modern facilities while wandering around a remarkably complete example of a Victorian port.

Views include many fine warehouses and other dock-related buildings that have been found new uses. Where ships once discharged their cargoes, there is now an ever-changing miscellany of visiting narrow boats, smart motor cruisers and the occasional yacht or tall ship.

 

Gloucester Docks is in immediate proximity to Gloucester Quays and close to the historic city centre. The site is dominated by a range of Victorian Warehouses. The entire location is a conservation area, but nearly all of the historic buildings have been sympathetically and successfully restored and redeveloped as offices, apartments and visitor attractions.

 

Facilities

Toilets & Showers

The docks facilities block offers individual cubicles containing a shower, basin & toilet. Slimbridge Boat Station, Facility: Water. Elsan disposal, Facilities: pump-out, toilet, shower & fuel for boats. Saul Junctions, Facility: Water.
 

Electricity

Some locations have electric supplies. A token must be bought and the cost of electricity is the same as household electricity. For further information please contact the Gloucester Waterways office on 01452 318000.
 

Wireless Internet Access

Wireless Internet Access is available. For further information please contact Gloucester Waterways on 01452 318000.
 

Car Park

Car parks (pay & display) can be accessed direct from Southgate St or from the east end of Llanthony Rd (for the Waterways Museum). Cars are not allowed to cross Llanthony Bridge. The nearest Park & Ride bus stop is in Southgate St. For further information please contact Gloucester Waterways on 01452 318000.
 

Stores & ATM’s

For a full list of the outlet stores at Gloucester Quays click here. There are many ATM’s around Gloucester docks, and they are only a few minutes’ walk from the docks entrance.
 

Waste & Recycling

British Waterways provides waste bins along the length of the canal. In addition to this there are also third party recycling points within walking distance of the canals. For more information please download our useful info and opening hours pdf.
 

Safety and Security

The whole area is suitable for wheel-chairs.

 

 

Mooring

The docks operate on a first come, first serve basis.

Facilities for visiting boats are administered by British Waterways, based in the Dock Office adjoining the Commercial Rd entrance to the docks.

Winter deals

Up to 25% of the visitor moorings are available for winter moorings between November and March. Please apply to the Waterways office.

Total 500 metres. Please note the following details when planning a visit to Gloucester Docks. The dock area is the water space between Gloucester Lock in the north and Llanthony Lift Bridge in the south, and includes permanent moorings in Victoria Basin (to the east). Large craft use the main water space for turning. Please note the dock area is still used as a working area mainly associated with access to the two dry docks operated by T Nielson Company.

The dock walls adjacent to the dry docks will often have craft moored in transit either to or from the docks. We hope you appreciate the colour and images of times past associated with many of these historic craft. Please do not obstruct safety ladders, or your vessel may be moved. The north-east of the docks has pontoons laid out in herringbone fashion and is dedicated for 48-hour moorings.

Other locations around the dock walls are similarly signed 48-hour moorings. Arrangements can be made to extend moorings by up to 14 days by contacting the Waterways Office and making the appropriate payment.

For further information on charges please contact Gloucester Waterways on 01452 318000.

 

Entering the port

Please download our Boater’s Guide Here

Sharpness - Visitor moorings: Total 150 metres. BW visitor moorings are located above the entrance to the Old Arm on the towpath side.

Patch Bridge South - Visitor Moorings: Total 140 metres. BW long term and visitor moorings on off-side south of bridge. Please check with Bridge Keeper at this popular visitor site.

Trip boat arrival/departure point on off-side by water point south of bridge.

Fretherne Br North - Visitor Moorings: Total 138 metres. Limited BW visitor mooring towpath-side north of bridge. Please check with the Bridge Keeper.

 

Contact

For more information please contact:

Acting Waterway Manager
John Ward

Customer Operations Manager
Nick Worthington

Finance & Business Support Manager
Andy Merrett

Business Development Manager
James Young

Boat Trips

Gloucester Waterways Museum offers a great selection of boat trip and hire options on its two boats; King Arthur and Queen Boadicea II. Trips depart from the dockside at the museum for either the River Severn or the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal.

Climb aboard for a 45 minute trip along the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal and learn more about the history of Gloucester as the skipper provides a historic commentary. 

Built in 1936 by Thornycroft, Southampton, QUEEN BOADICEA II is a passenger vessel with a steel hull and a Gardner 6LX diesel engine. She has the capacity for 145 passengers. She was built for work on the River Thames between Richmond and Hampton Court.

King Arthur offers a spacious covered deck area. The saloon has a seating capacity of 42 (around tables), with a maximum capacity of 100, so you can relax and enjoy their bar and saloon while cruising along the River Severn or Gloucester & Sharpness canal. (Please note that in winter they carry a maximum of 60 people).

Alternatively climb aboard the canal boat Centaur for a boat trip on the Shropshire Union Canal. This 30-minute boat trip takes you through a fascinating industrial landscape criss-crossed with past and present transport systems. Your tour guide will tell the stories that lie behind the passing bridges and quaysides, and bring to life the changing fortunes of the canal and its people.