Gloucestershire, England

Lechlade Marina slipway

Launch — A concrete slipway that takes boats on trailers up to 10 m, as well as canoes and other unpowered craft; longer vessels can be lifted in and out using a hired-in crane or Hiab lorry.

Parking — On-site parking within the marina for slipway users, in one of its secure parking areas; a per-day charge applies.

Access — Reached through the marina site at Downington, Lechlade GL7 3DL; the operator recommends booking the slipway in advance, as it cannot otherwise guarantee availability.

Season — The Environment Agency runs a programme of works on the River Thames each year between October and the end of March, which can affect passage at St John's Lock downstream.

Regulations — All craft on this stretch of the Thames, including unpowered canoes, kayaks and paddleboards, must be registered with the Environment Agency; British Canoeing and Paddle UK membership includes the equivalent registration. The marina levies its own separate launching fee for use of the slipway.

Lechlade Marina sits at the head of the navigable River Thames, in the Cotswold market town of Lechlade-on-Thames, a few minutes' walk from the shops on Market Square.

The marina's five acres hold a series of channels off a central waterway, with two exits direct onto the river, a short distance upstream of Halfpenny Bridge and St John's Lock. A statue of Old Father Thames, sculpted by Raffaelle Monti and moved here in 1974 after its original 1854 commission for The Crystal Palace, stands beside the lock.

There are no further locks upstream of St John's Lock; the former Thames and Severn Canal junction at Inglesham lies a mile and a half upstream, and a right of navigation continues past it as far as Cricklade. Lechlade and this upper reach of the Thames Valley are often taken to mark the south-eastern limit of the Cotswolds.

Water voles, kingfishers, swans and ducks are recorded around the marina's own grounds.

Nearby

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The Tea Chest

Cafe on Thames Street, near Halfpenny Bridge in Lechlade.

Lynwood & Co

Cafe on Market Place in Lechlade town centre.

Bridge House Campsite

Campsite off the A361 south of Lechlade, with electric and non-electric pitches taking individual and family bookings; maximum stay 14 days within a 28-day period.

Website

Conditions to check

Lock

St John's Lock, the highest lock on the Thames, lies about three-quarters of a mile downstream, with the river winding between the two.

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Weir

The main weir sits just below St John's Bridge, where the River Cole and River Leach join the Thames on opposite banks.

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Overhead cable

Halfpenny Bridge, immediately downstream of the marina, is a single stone arch with headroom of 4.72 m (15 ft 6 in).

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Boat traffic

Lechlade is a popular resort for Thames boating, where boats of different types, from rowing boats to river cruisers, can be hired.

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Shallow or rocky

Upstream of Lechlade the towpath ends and the river narrows and shallows; only canoes generally continue further towards Cricklade.

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