This month we are paying a visit to Southampton to find out more about Town Quay Marina.
Town Quay Marina delivers unrivalled city centre berthing, whether you are staying for one night or for the year. The marina facilities and welcoming team offer a top-class experience, whatever the weather.
The marina has direct access to the word-famous cruising and racing waters of the Solent, and it is also the perfect base to explore the South Coast or venture further afield to the Channel Islands and France. With the venue for the Southampton International Boat Show next door, this is the perfect place to capture the atmosphere of the summer’s yachting events.
Within walking distance of some of Southampton’s best restaurants and bars and with cinemas, theatres, Southampton’s new cultural Quarter and Westquay Shopping Centre all nearby, the marina is a vibrant base to stay at any time of the year.
FACILITIES & BERTHING
Town Quay Marina has 130 berths available, made up of six tide restricted berths, eight jet ski docks, eight visitor moorings and 108 annual moorings. The marina can accommodate motor and sail vessels from 6m up to 18m, mostly on finger pontoons with some alongside berths available. Please note they do not accommodate liveaboard residents.
The berths have water points available on the pontoons and electricity is available by means of a prepaid system (Meter Macs). Short term visitor berths have electricity included in the berthing fee and the capacity can be increased as needed by making use of any vacant berths for visitors.
Lift out and fuel facilities can be found at nearby boatyards and marinas, some of which will offer a discount to Town Quay Marina berth holders.
The marina has a barbeque terrace for use by visitors and berth holders at a cost of £6 and they also provide free bicycle usage for any berth holder or visitor wishing to cycle into town.
In addition, Town Quay Marina has negotiated discounts with a selection of neighbouring businesses for berth holders, and these discounts can be accessed by presenting the Town Quay Marina discount card when booking or paying for services.
Nearby businesses include Red Jet ferries, Red Funnel ferries, coffee shops, restaurants and supermarkets.
Some of the facilities offered by the marina:
– Showers and toilets
– Coin operated laundry
– Free use of bicycles
– Barbeque terrace
– Car parking
– Free WiFi
– Security and convenience
– Berthing assistance
– Experienced on-site team
– TransEurope discount scheme
ACCESS
Town Quay is a transport hub, right in the heart of Southampton. Transport links include the Hythe Ferry, Red Funnel’s ferry service to the Isle of Wight, the Quay Connect bus and Southampton Central train station. Taxis operate from Town Quay throughout the day and night.
Town Quay boasts excellent road and rail links. The M3 and M27 are both within three miles and are accessed via The Avenue (A33) and Millbrook Road (A3024) respectively. There are regular ferry services to both the Isle of Wight and the New Forest as well as a bus service to the mainline railway station and city centre.
The marina is accessible at all states of tide, with experienced staff on hand for friendly advice and information. The marina office is manned from 7am – 7pm Monday to Sunday and the team are on hand to assist where needed; call them on VHF Channel 80 on approach for berthing instructions.
On approach you will notice a long concrete wave break pontoon with four flag poles and a windsock. This wave break is made up of an outer and inner concrete pontoon and appears to be one long solid pontoon from further out, but you will notice the dog leg marina access as you get closer to the marina. The Red Jet ferry terminal is near the marina entrance and vessels are advised to pay special attention to Red Jet ferries arriving and departing and to allow sufficient room for manoeuvre.
CRUISING
Town Quay Marina is ideally situated for cruising and exploring the Solent and further afield.
The River Itchen and Hamble River are in close proximity and these rivers are navigable with restaurants and pubs dotted up and down both rivers, with various marinas offering short stay facilities.
The Isle of Wight is within easy reach and offers cruisers a host of marinas, restaurants, pubs, shops and tourist attractions.
Further afield to the west is the Devon and Cornwall coastline which features harbours such as Poole and Torquay. If you want to head eastward there is the harbour of Portsmouth within the Solent area and further along you will find Brighton, Eastbourne and the channel coastline.
To the south there is good accessible sailing to the Channel Islands, such as Jersey and Guernsey, and the French coastline.
Weather conditions can be changeable in the Solent depending on time of year and it is recommended that you pay special attention to short and medium term weather forecasts when planning your journeys.
The marina office stocks tide tables and they display the weather forecast on a daily basis on their noticeboard and in the marina office.
OUT AND ABOUT
Due to the central location of Town Quay Marina most attractions are within easy walking distance and there are several interesting places and entertainment venues to visit in Southampton. The city is steeped in history and there are various historic sites which can be visited and include some of the following:
– The Woolhouse (now Dancing Man Brewery and pub) – built in medieval times
– Tudor House – over 800 years of history in one fascinating location
– God’s House Tower – dates back to medieval times
– Holyrood Church – built in 1320 and destroyed during the World War II Blitz
– St. Michael’s Church – the oldest church in Southampton, built in 1170
– SeaCity Museum – a must visit to appreciate the history of Southampton and the story of the Titanic
– There are organised historic walks around the old town which are held on weekends starting at Bargate and covering many of the historic sites around Southampton.
In addition to the historical sites there are many pubs, restaurants, supermarkets, shops and entertainment venues dotted around the city, some of which offer discounts to Town Quay berth holders. A small selection within walking distance from the marina include:
– Co-op supermarket
– Lidle supermarket
– Dancing Man Brewery and Pub – home brewed beers and restaurant
– Kuti’s – Indian and Bangladeshi restaurant
– La Regata – Spanish restaurant
– Beity – Lebanese restaurant
– Westquay Shopping Centre
– Starbucks coffee shop
RECOMMENDATIONS
“We first came here early in 1990. Since then we have seen many improvements. The marina has good access to sea and all facilities. We are pleased with the way we are professionally and kindly attended to.”
Carole and John Sirante
“We are now enjoying our sixth year at Town Quay Marina. In over 30 years of boat ownership we have found the marina staff at Town Quay the most friendly and helpful of anywhere we have been berthed.”
Stephen Thomas and Helena Lucas
Marina Manager: Pippa Moody
T: 02380 234397
E: info@townquay.com
W: Townquay.com
VHF: channel 80
Associated British Ports
Management Office, Town Quay
Southampton SO14 2AQ
