Priory Marina : Suggested Cruises

A guide to Cruises

Priory is located near the head of navigation of the River Great Ouse. Cruising upstream offers the opportunity to cruise long the beautiful Bedford Embankment and to moor in the town centre where you can visit the remains of Bedford Castle which was destroyed by King Henry III in 1223. Care should be taken by cruisers with a sizeable air draught to avoid the low bridges and even narrowboats can be affected. The river in this area is suitable for narrowboats and cruisers, with a beam up to 10’2”.

Every other summer, the Embankment is the site of the colourful River Festival, the largest free festival in Britain after the Notting Hill Carnival, featuring raft races, illuminated boat parades, stalls and much more. Festival moorings are available but in short supply during that period so book early.

Mooring in the Marina or in the town centre offers provides access to a wealth of restaurants, nightspots and traditional pubs. Next to the Marina is a popular Priory Marina Restaurant and Pub as well as a Travel Inn Hotel. Nearby are two Tesco’s as well as a multiplex cinema and indoor beach pool.

The Marina is situated within the Priory Country Park, which is an award-winning open space of 300 acres with excellent bird watching hides and lots of nature walks plus a Wildlife Centre. The town centre is about 15 minutes walk along the cycle path from the Marina and the good train service will take you to Central London in just 35 minutes. Separating the Marina from the Country Park is the remains of the Augustinian Newnham Priory wall, built in c1166.

Travelling downstream from Priory opens up the whole of the River Great Ouse to enjoy. You can cruise all the way from Bedford to the coast, then the world is your oyster (sea-going vessels only please!).

Very close to Priory is the Danish Camp which offers moorings, lunch in the log cabin overlooking the river, and many special events in the summer.This stretch of the river meanders through open fields, willow-lined banks and skirts small villages. Much of the river here does not even have riverside paths and so is particularly peaceful. There are remains of Danish docks and camps in the area.

We strongly recommend boaters join the Great Ouse Boating Association which is run by boaters for boaters, as they operate many of the moorings on the river. The website also has valuable cruising information and photos.

Web: www.goba.org.uk

Brampton

Approximately 9 hours to do 21 miles passing through 8 locks. The river passes Hinchingbrooke House, once the residence of Oliver Cromwell and later the Earl of Sandwich, which dates back to the 12th century. Great Ouse Boating Association (GOBA) moorings are available and the village is a short walk from the river.

Great Barford

Approximately 3 hours to do 6 miles passing through 3 locks going under a very striking 15th century stone bridge to reach the attractive village of Great Barford. Environment Agency (EA) and Great Ouse Boating Association (GOBA) moorings are available.

Huntingdon

Approximatley 10 hours to do 23 miles passing through 10 locks. 24 hour moorings are available.

St. Neots

Approximately 6 hours to do 13 miles passing through 6 locks. St. Neots is an attractive market town. Moorings are available.