Moorings on the River Parrett

The River Parrett runs 60 kilometres across Somerset to Bridgwater Bay on the Bristol Channel, with Burnham-on-Sea at its mouth. It is tidal for 31 kilometres, up to the sluice at Oath, and a small tidal bore runs up through Bridgwater.

Somerset Council is the statutory harbour authority for the Port of Bridgwater, which covers the coastal waters between Brean Down and Hinkley Point and the tidal Parrett, Brue and Axe. This is demanding water for a small boat. The tidal range at Burnham-on-Sea is more than 12 metres, the sands shift and the channels change, and strangers are advised to come in during the last two hours of the flood. Commercial ships go no further than Dunball, about eight miles upriver, and the river dries completely at low water between Stockland Reach and Bridgwater. Bridgwater Docks are closed to river traffic. There is a public right of navigation up to Oath, but very few private boats use the river.

Moorings on the River Parrett are few. Combwich Pill, about four nautical miles upriver and home to Combwich Sailing Club, is the only place in the estuary with recreational moorings. At the mouth, Burnham on Sea Motor Boat and Sailing Club has pontoons in the River Brue, reached for about two hours either side of high water, and boats can anchor in the Parrett near the church.