Long-term moorings in Abingdon-on-Thames

Abingdon-on-Thames is an Oxfordshire market town on the non-tidal River Thames, downstream of Oxford on the reach between Abingdon Lock and Culham Lock. Moorings in Abingdon-on-Thames are mostly riverbank berths: council permit moorings, Environment Agency base moorings at the lock, a boatyard on Nag's Head Island and a residential marina.

Moorings in Abingdon-on-Thames

• Wilsham Road (Vale of White Horse District Council): annual permit moorings for district residents, not for living aboard. Applications are taken once a year and existing holders have first call on renewal.
• Abingdon Lock (Environment Agency): one of the lock sites with base moorings for keeping a boat long term. Residential use is not allowed, and applicants join a waiting list when no berth is free.
• Abingdon Boat Centre, Nag's Head Island: run by Abingdon Bridge Marine, part of Salter Brothers. It advertises moorings on the island alongside its chandlery and day boat hire.
• Abingdon Marina: a residential marina where houses on North Quay and South Quay are sold with their own private moorings.
• Visiting boats: the council's moorings at Abbey Meadow, Hales Meadow and Rye Farm Meadow allow a stay of up to three nights, with no return within three nights.

On the water

The Environment Agency is the navigation authority. Every boat kept or used on the non-tidal Thames must be registered with it, including boats in marinas and backwaters. Powered boats need third party insurance and most need a Boat Safety Scheme certificate. The council also asks for a valid registration plate on any boat at its moorings.

• Abingdon Lock: 36.57m long and 5.71m wide, with a water point, chemical toilet disposal, refuse disposal and a pump-out that works when the lock keeper is on duty.
• Culham Lock, the next lock downstream: 39.87m long and 5.33m wide.
• Headroom: 4.24m under Abingdon Bridge. Osney Bridge in Oxford, upstream, has only 2.28m, which decides how far a tall cruiser can go.

Floods and closures

The Environment Agency posts stream warnings for each reach once a day, including Sandford Lock to Abingdon Lock and Abingdon Lock to Culham Lock. On red boards it advises all boats not to navigate. On yellow boards for an increasing stream it advises powered boats to find a safe mooring. The council's mooring terms leave the owner responsible for the boat in flood.