Tucked peacefully beside the River Hamble, where the sheltered waters of Badnam Creek join the riverbank, Mercury Yacht Harbour & Holiday Park offers one of the most tranquil and welcoming bases on the South Coast.
Originally built by Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, the marina now provides around 360 deep-water berths for vessels up to 24 metres, with access at all states of tide. Set within mature woodland and just over a mile from the vibrant village of Hamble, Mercury combines high-quality marina facilities with a popular holiday park, featuring year-round self-catering accommodation and unique floating lodges.
From March to October, visitors can also enjoy spacious camping and touring pitches. With direct access to the water, an on-site paddleboard centre and a peaceful, nature-rich setting, Mercury offers an idyllic retreat for sailors, families and holidaymakers alike.
FACILITIES & BERTHING
Mercury Yacht Harbour provides 360 fully serviced berths for boats up to 24 metres, catering for both annual berth holders and visiting yachts. Berthing options include annual, monthly and visitor stays, with annual pricing starting from £672 per metre for boats up to 8 metres on MDL’s Simply Berthing package.
Berth holders also enjoy the benefits of Otium Rewards, MDL’s points-based loyalty programme, allowing customers to earn and redeem points across the MDL network for even better value on marina services. Lifting and storage are available very nearby at Hamble Point Marina, and fuel (diesel and petrol) is conveniently located at Port Hamble Marina. Mercury’s on-site services and amenities also include:
– Electronic services
– Gaff Rigger Bar and Restaurant
– Laundry facilities
– Slipway
– Sailing schools
– Paddleboard centre
– Yacht brokerage
– Yacht charters
– Electric Vehicle Charging – Tesla & Universal Type 2
– MDL WiFi
The marina is also home to a wide range of specialist marine businesses, creating a vibrant community that supports every aspect of life on the water – from training and leisure to technical services and inclusive boating.
On-site hospitality is provided by Gaff Rigger, a popular bar and restaurant, while Hamble Cover Services offers expert canvas and cover repairs. Hamble Paddle provides watersports hire and tuition, and Hamble School of Yachting delivers industry-leading RYA training. Hamble Yacht Care offers professional yacht management, with Hudson Marine Electronics supplying cutting-edge navigation and communication systems.
Leading brokerage TBS Boats Hamble and charter and broker specialists Universal Yachting operate from the marina, while Wetwheels Hamble offers fully accessible powerboating experiences for disabled people. Enigma Powerboats completes the line-up with its high-performance craft.
With peaceful surroundings, excellent facilities and specialist marine support on-site, Mercury provides everything boaters need in one convenient location.
ACCESS
By Road
(For Sat Nav use SO31 4HQ)
From the M3, take the M27 eastbound towards Portsmouth and exit at Junction 8 (Southampton/East Hamble). Follow signs for Hamble on the B3397 (Hamble Lane), continuing straight across three roundabouts. After the third roundabout, turn left into Satchell Lane, signposted to Mercury Yacht Harbour. Continue for approximately one mile: the marina is on the left.
By Rail
Southampton Central is the nearest mainline station, where a local service connects to Hamble station. A local bus links the station to Hamble village. From the village, it is a pleasant one mile walk along Satchell Lane to the marina.
By Boat
Approaching from Southampton Water, keep clear of commercial traffic. From abeam Calshot Castle, head towards Hamble Point South Cardinal buoy marking the mouth of the well-defined Hamble River channel. Leave the No. 2 East Cardinal beacon to port, noting the narrow channel between drying banks. At night, two directional lights lead to Warsash Jetty on the east bank. Mercury Yacht Harbour and Holiday Park sits 1.35 miles upriver on the west bank, the third marina on that side. All visiting yachts should call on VHF Ch80 or by phone for berth allocation.
CRUISING
From Mercury’s sheltered setting on the River Hamble, boaters are ideally placed to enjoy some of the most scenic cruising grounds in the Solent. For leisurely day trips, Newtown Creek provides a tranquil National Trust anchorage teeming with wildlife, while Osborne Bay offers a picturesque stop for lunch or paddleboarding in calm waters.
Weekend cruising options include the Beaulieu River, known for its unspoilt woodland banks and the historic maritime village of Buckler’s Hard. For longer adventures, skippers can head east into Portsmouth Harbour – with Portsmouth Historic Dockyard offering a full day of maritime heritage and attractions – or west around the Isle of Wight towards Poole Harbour, enjoying a diverse mix of harbours, anchorages and coastal scenery.
Mercury’s position also makes it a convenient base for visiting nearby MDL marinas, including Ocean Village Marina in Southampton, with its choice of restaurants, bars and entertainment.
OUT AND ABOUT
The area surrounding Mercury Yacht Harbour is rich in history, nature and family attractions. The nearby River Hamble Country Park offers miles of woodland and riverside trails, including the Hamble Peninsula Trails, which explore the area’s maritime and aviation heritage.
Local heritage attractions include Manor Farm, showcasing rural life through the centuries, and the atmospheric 13th-century ruins of Netley Abbey. Families can enjoy days out at Paultons Park (home of Peppa Pig World), Marwell Zoo or SeaCity Museum, all easily accessible by car.
Hamble village itself is just a 20-minute walk from the marina. Known for featuring in the 1980s TV series Howards’ Way, it is a picturesque spot with numerous pubs and restaurants including The Bugle, The King and Queen, Ye Olde Whyte Harte and The Victory Inn. On site, the Gaff Rigger Bar & Restaurant offers relaxed dining with lovely riverside views.
A Co-op is located in the village for essentials, with a larger Tesco store a short drive away. Transport connections include Hamble railway station with services to Southampton and Portsmouth, and regular local buses linking the village and surrounding area.
PERSONAL RECOMMENDATIONS
“Mercury Yacht Harbour is a beautiful and well-managed marina. The setting is peaceful, surrounded by nature and makes for a perfect stop whether you are sailing through or staying longer. The facilities are clean and modern, with good showers, laundry and WiFi available. Staff are friendly, professional and always ready to help with mooring or any queries. There are also great walks nearby and a lovely riverside atmosphere, making it ideal not just for sailors but also for anyone looking to enjoy the waterfront. Safe, well-kept and welcoming – a marina I would definitely recommend.”
Zeeshan Azhar – Google reviews
“I want to take this opportunity to thank the team at MDL, particularly Selina and Caroline for all their professional service and help during our time. It has been an absolute pleasure, and we would highly recommend MDL to anyone thinking about all things boating. Much appreciated.” Karen Wyness – Google reviews
FURTHER INFORMATION
Marina Manager: Debbie Burns
Mercury Yacht Harbour & Holiday Park
Satchell Lane, Hamble
Southampton SO31 4HQ
T: 023 8045 5994
VHF: Channel 80
E: mercury@mdlmarinas.co.uk
W: www.mercuryyachtharbour.co.uk
Sat Nav: SO31 4HQ
