Use this page to check mooring availability and find the latest updates.
We have a limited number of moorings in Bath and North East Somerset. A small number of moorings are owned by the council, but the majority are owned and managed by the Canal & River Trust.
Moorings are currently available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Please visit the Canal & River Trust for a comprehensive list of mooring locations in Bath.
Mooring updates
In case of emergencies
We have no means to resolve mooring-related emergencies.
If you witness any mooring related emergency concern, including boats becoming free of their mooring; broken mooring lines; fires onboard any vessel; or boats collecting a large amount of water (beginning to sink), please contact the appropriate emergency services without delay on 999. This will usually be the Fire Service.
In such emergencies, please do not contact the emergency services via any method other than direct telephone call, as any delays to reporting will result in delays to response times.
Visit our web page on river and canal safety for more information
Widcombe Lock to Pulteney Weir - Closed
Visitor moorings on the River Avon between Widcombe Lock and Pulteney Weir below Pulteney Bridge remain permanently closed due to serious safety concerns. Anyone who moors in the area does so as a trespasser, and moors entirely at their own risk.
Enforcement action underway
We have requested all boats moored within the Central Pulteney Stretch to leave the area by Thursday 10 September 2026, with three months’ notice being given. This applies to all boats that are currently moored in the stretch, as well as any vessel that subsequently chooses to moor there.
All boats mooring in this area after this date will be subject to legal action.
Available support
If you need support with your move back onto the Canal & River Trust (CRT) navigation, you are encouraged to attend a support drop in session or contact one of the organisations below.
We are committed to providing reasonable support to those who need it. However, you must engage with us and/or the support organisations, so that your individual needs can be identified and appropriate assistance can be provided.
- Alongside (formerly Julian House): Email GRBT@alongsidecharity.org.uk or call 01225 35 46 50
- Canal & River Trust (CRT) – Welfare & Support Team; Email: welfare.mailbox@canalrivertrust.org.uk or call 03030 40 40 40
The support available will depend on your individual circumstances and may include:
- debt advice and support, including help for people with outstanding debts or enforcement action involving CRT
- assistance with equalities-related adjustments – for people with disabilities or long term health conditions
- support obtaining a CRT licence
- mental health support
- financial assistance for eligible individuals, including means-tested support for urgent boat repairs
- help obtaining a Boat Safety Scheme Certificate
- help obtaining boat insurance
- support to access and maximise benefits
- housing advice and support for those considering alternative housing options
- assistance accessing fuel and food
- help accessing healthcare and other health services
If you have any general enquiries, please email bettermoorings@bathnes.gov.uk.
Short term rentals (Airbnbs)
Several short term rentals are known to operate in this area through Airbnb. In acknowledgement of the severe safety concerns associated with mooring there, hosts have been requested to pause their hosting activity during the winter months, while longer term strategies are being developed.
Mead Lane Moorings, Saltford
In October 2020, Cabinet resolved to close the moorings at Mead Lane subject to a suitable alternative being found.
The Relocation of Mead Lane Moorings project is ongoing and the moorings at Mead Land remain open until a new location has been announced.
Boats that moor at Mead Lane are requested to:
- only moor in the designated mooring zone
- adhere to conditions imposed by signage, including max stay periods
- ensure no nuisance is caused
- dispose of waste and sewage only at the designated places
- comply with the terms of their license
Winter flooding
Mead Lane is prone to flooding during the winter months. Whilst it remains open, anyone planning on mooring there in the winter months is encouraged to check the conditions through use of the publicly available camera that is owned and managed by Bristol Avon Sailing Club. You can access a free live feed on the BASC website.
WarningThere is a sunken boat along Mead Lane which may present a hazard to river users. The What3Words location is: ///coughed.forensic.roaring.
The Canal & River Trust are aware of this hazard and are managing the recovery.
Read the Cabinet Papers and decision notice for the 8 October 2020 Mead Lane item 11 online.
Enquiries
If you have any council-based mooring enquiries, particularly project related, please email BetterMoorings@bathnes.gov.uk.
Please send any enquiries about Mead Lane moorings to MeadLane_Enquiries@bathnes.gov.uk.
To report prohibited vehicle parking along Mead Lane, please email parking@bathnes.gov.uk.