Temporary Moorings
Teddington, Kingston, Surbiton, Thames Ditton, Hampton Court & Molesey Lock
The moorings just above Teddington lock are not the best. Opposite the Lensbury club is a bank where mooring is allowed, but yobs tend to gather here in the evening. Otherwise there are sometimes a few spaces under the trees next to the Small Boats Club on Steven's Eyot. Your best bet on this stretch is to look along the wall outside Hampton Court Palace, or the bankside running down to Raven's Eyot. Unfortunately, most of these moorings fill up early. There are moorings marked above Kingston Bridge, but these are all either residential or for restaurants in Kingston town centre. There is a long stretch along the bank between Kingston and Ravens Eyot, on the same side as the London River Yacht Club, and these moorings run for quite a stretch. Avoid them, however, during the ATYC compeition and RNLI rallies which are held here on a regular basis. The tow path as it runs down river from Hampton Court Palace offers lots of bankside mooring free of charge. If you just want to stop to shop, there is a short term mooring by John Lewis in Kingston, below the bridge.
The moorings above Molesey lock are mostly residential. There are, however, a few moorings next to Garricks Eyot for access to Hampton, or next to Platts Eyot for access to Molesey.
There aren't so many public moorings on this stretch, but the best are to the side of Sunbury lock. The bankside opposite the Middle Thames Yacht Club is a free public mooring for 24 hours. The Phoenix, Magpie and Flower Pot pubs all have tiny moorings available for patrons
The Weir pub has a small mooring for patrons, as does the Angler's. The only other moorings available in Walton are above Walton bridge, on the same side as Walton Marine Sales.
There are not many places to moor in Weybridge, but the most useful is opposite Pharaoh's Island, and just a short walk from The Crown and Lincoln Arms public houses. A short walk gets you into Weybridge High Street. The other moorings are in the Desborough cut, and it's a long walk to anywhere, but quiet for an overnight stay.
There is a temporary mooring above Gibbs Marine Sales, on the same side of the river, and a long stretch of mooring outside the Thames Court pub, just above the lock.
There are bankside moorings on both sides of the river at various points on this stretch between Pharaoh's Island and Chertsey Bridge - see your river map for details. The only moorings near a landmark are just above Chertsey Bridge and just above the railway bridge.
There are several mooring points on the Laleham side of the river, running between the railway bridge and Harris Boatbuilders on the opposite bank. Two of these are located on the grounds of Laleham Abbey. See you river map for details.
There are numerous pubs with patrons moorings in Staines, as well as short term moorings on both sides of the river, above and below the bridge, and at the top of Church Island.
Bell Weir lock has excellent moorings in the weir stream, or you can go bankside below or above the lock, outside of the lay by areas if you are using the hotel or its restaurants.
There are lots of public moorings between Egham and the Bells of Ouzley pub, all on the same side of the river, but nothing in Old Windsor itself. See your river map for details.
There is a stretch of public mooring above Kris Cruisers, on the same side of the river.
Public moorings in Windsor and Eton are run by the local council, and they charge heavily especially in the town centre and during tourist months. Some parks offer moorings by the hour, but as you move out of the town centre you can find cheaper or free moorings. One of these is just below Black Potts Bridge, and there are others at Boveney and above Windsor Marina.
There are moorings above Bovney lock, on both sides of the river, from the lock to Queen's Eyot. See your river map for details.
There are public moorings just above Bray lock.
There is a long stretch of mooring at Maidenhead, along the wall, behind the layby for Boulters lock. The wall has been daubed with Private Moorings or No Mooring by local residents who are trying to gain control of the moorings from the EA. These should be ignored. There may, however, be underwater dangers and as will all public moorings you should carefully inspect the area as you approach to ensure the safety of your vessel. There are also moorings just below the railway bridge, on the Burnham side.
Boulters restaurant has moorings for patrons, but you will have to navigate a large sand bank to get to them, so it's best to consult the restaurant and the lock keeper before confirming that you wish to take the mooring. If you'd rather moor at the lock, there is a shallow mooring just below Boulters lock, but it has a problem with silting, and the depth should be confirmed with the lock keeper when you book.
The moorings at Cliveden stretch are all run by the National Trust, who charge about £6 per boat, per night. If you're taking a group to this stretch for an event, and you want to reserve moorings on the islands or bankside, they are happy to oblige. Contact the River Warden through his manager's office. See Contact Numbers on the home page navigation bar for details.
The island at Cookham is a delight, but not the only mooring. The scale of charges for the island is very reasonable, and as well as a per boat rate they offer reductions for groups. Moorings are bookable with the lock keeper, Adam. There a couple of non-bookable moorings at the very bottom end of the island, under the trees and next to the weir stream. Very secluded if you're trying to get away from it all. If you fancy an impromptu free mooring, there is a large park area below the main river bridge.
There are moorings on both sides of the river at Bourne End, one outside the Moorings pub, for patrons, and the other above the Upper Thames Sailing Club, on the same side of the river as the club.
There are lots of moorings above the bridge on the starboard bank, and people are generally amenable to letting you moor alongside if they're full. You can pay for these moorings in the leisure centre, they only cost a few pounds. If you're dining at the Compleat Angler they will happily offer you one of their expensive moorings - you'll soon find out why their bollards are gold plated!
There are ample bankside moorings on the Harleyford side, next to Harleyford Marina. This end of the stretch is stunningly beautiful, and mooring either side of the river is a delight.
You'll find a very pleasant stretch of moorings just under Temple footbridge.
One mile above Temple lock, there are two little islands on the Hurley side of the river. You'll find public moorings on both of these islands.
On the Medenham side of the river there are two stretches of public mooring, both above Medmenham Abbey.
There is a pleasant spot for mooring just above Hambledon lock.
Moorings at Henley are a bit of a misnomer. Although technically in the borough of Henley upon Thames, they are in fact at Fawley Meadow and Remenham, a 15 to 30 minute walk to the town centreand they run from the bottom end of Temple Island, on both sides of the river, right up to Phylis Court on one side and the Leander Club on the other. There is no power, water, or waste disposal, but there's lots of fields. A lot of these moorings are owned and run by the Royal Regatta, and you may be accosted by a man asking for a few pounds for your overnight stay. Don't worry if you're not on your boat, they don't bother with penalties. Watch out for patches heavily populated by geese and mind your step if you have to use a messy mooring, and don't even think about mooring in this stretch during the regatta unless you have booked with the Royal Regatta. During July and August bank holidays it is as well to ensure that the ATYC is not being held here, as they occupy most of the Remenham bank by Temple Island. There are, however, plenty of other spaces available on this stretch.
There are public moorings available fora temporary stay at Wargrave Marsh, and if you ar a patron of the St George & Dragon there are temporary moorings at the pub. Further up you will find lots of moorings at Phillimore's Island, The Lynch and Hallstead Eyot, as well as along the bank on the Shiplake side.
The moorings at Sonning are both above and below the lock, as well as in the weir stream, and they are all within a short walk of the village centre. There are more isolated moorings available in the grounds of Reading Home Park.
Above Caversham lock there are lots of public mooring places available on both sides of the river. See your river map for details. There are also lots of pubs and restaurants in Reading town centre which offer short stay moorings to patrons. Above the town there is a long stretch of mooring on the Reading bank, which is close to the festival area. During the Reading festival this bank can be either full or boats or closed to moorers, depending on the local authorities. If you think you're travelling during the festival it's as well to check the moorings in advance.
There are several spots for public mooring above Mapledurham House on both sides of hte river. Check your river map for details.
The moorings at Pangbourne are mostly along the meadow, and they offer no facilities other than lots of space. They fill up at lunch and dinner time, so get there early to reserve your spot. If you're dining at The Swan, call and book a mooring outside their restaurant, it saves a lot of bother and if you're in a group they can get a lot of boats on their moorings - they even kick the fishermen off for you!
As well as the moorings available for visitors to the Child Beale Wildlife Trust there are public moorings either side of their grounds, on the same side of the river.
Lashings and lashings of free mooring at Goring! Just below the lock there is a long stretch of mooring behind the lay by. This stretches all the way to the bend, and includes a grassed area as well as all the concrete tow path. The lawn is a public area and can be used for receptions or picnics, but be aware that dog walkers and the public will be passing through. The Swan Diplomat - now the Swan Hotel at Goring - offers moorings to people using the hotel facilities or restaurants. If you want to avoid the village centre there is a patch of mooring space just above the railway bridge, on the same side as Gatehampton Farm Shop and the caravan site. Your other opportunities are one just below Cleeve lock, on the Streatley bank, and another three above the lock on the same side.
Diners at the Beetle & Wedge can reserve moorings in advance. If you are taking a large party to the restaurant and need extra moorings you'll need to call the people that own the bank opposite. Contact The Angel for details as this number is not available on our contacts page. Although a very attractive stretch of the river, most of the banks are privately owned and not available for public moorings.
There are temporary public moorings at Wallingford above and below Wallingford Bridge. Be forewarned that the local kids can get a bit silly and we have had boats cast adrift here in the middle of the night. A dropped anchor can save a lot of heart ache at this mooring.
Shillingford Bridge Hotel have lots of moorings available, even if you're not using the hotel. They do two rates, for short and long boats, and they make a further charge for barbecuing or picnicing on their land. However, they do have a rather good restaurant here and the Saturday night dinner dance may tempt groups to stop here. If you do stop at the hotel, bring you fly swat or insecticides - they occassionally have an unfortunately problem with clouds of black flies hovering round the boats, and if you haven't got your fly screens fitted they can become a nuisance below decks. As well as the public moorings at Benson lock, there are lots of public mooring points above the hotel. See your river map for details.
Days Lock is one of the most peaceful parts of the river, and there are occassionally moorings at the lock itself. Above the lock there are two public mooring places on the Dorchester bank.
There are two places to moor in Clifton Hampden, one on the campsite, and the other bankside above the bridge, opposite the camp site. The bankside moorings only cost a few pounds per boat, and they are payable in the local postoffice. On bad weather days there are quite often locals who will come round to collect from you. These mooring fees go to the local school to provide facilities for the children. The campsite moorings are more expensive and go the landlord. there are further moorings above Clifton lock, above the stream that goes to the Plough, at the entrance to the stream and at Appleford - see your river map for details.
The beautiful village of Long Wittenham is accesible only to boats with a shallow draft. If you take the stream to the Plough pub and its temporary moorings for patrons you will need to be very careful. If you have a depth guage or fish finder, now is the time to activate it - you will need to keep a close watch on the bottom as the stream is heavily banked and the channel is narrow.
There are not many moorings on this stretch, but there is a spot above Sutton Bridge, on the Drayton bank, above but not in the stream. There is another spot just above Swift Ditch, on the Culham bank.
The meadow at Abingdon stretches above and below the bridge, and extends to the port hand bank by the swimming pool and park above the bridge. There are no facilities here, such as water or bins, nor electricity, but it is a very pleasant place to moor, with lots of space for children to run round, plenty of pubs, restaurants, sights, shops and a theatre to keep the grownups amused. You'll need to watch your draught if you venture above the bridge, and only tackle the starboard side arches as you go up. The port hand side of the island gets incredibly shallow, and the bridge is lower. Diners at the Upper Reaches can use the hotels mooring. Go above Nags Head Island, then turn to port and double back down the other side of the island and you'll see several mooring spaces on your right. These are due to be dredged soon as they are getting extremely shallow, so don't be surprised if you run aground in the meantime. As well as the meadow, there are spaces on the opposite bank, next to the park and swimming baths. There are numerous moorings above Abingdon, on the Radley bank, up to the Boathouse. See your river map for details.
