Sharpness

Although the original terminus of the canal was intended to be Berkeley, where in the Middle Ages a small port flourished, lack of money forced the canal constructors to halt at Sharpness. Sharpness Docks at one time were thriving with ships off-loading. Nowadays they are fairly quiet, with perhaps three or four cargo vessels visiting each week. Until the early 1980s, the "Sharpness Shit Boat" took sewage sludge for dumping in deep water, leaving the docks so low-laden that she apparently relied on reaching salt water before the first wave was encountered. Drums of nuclear waste were also carried from Sharpness, to be sunk in very deep water well off Lands End.

Beyond the old Severn Crossing, the canal splits. Straight on is the New Dock: unless a passage through the locks on to the river has been booked, the effective limit of navigation is the low-level bridge just beyond the high-level bridge at the entrance to the docks. There is a BW sani-station on the west bank between the bridges.

The western arm leads immediately to Sharpness Marina. There are mooring rings on the west bank just before the marina, and this is a very pleasant place to tie up for the night. The views across the estuary are magnificent. John and Brioni's boat Stokie is usually here selling diesel.

The present marina was at one time the mooring of TS Vindicatrix, which was used as a training base for the merchant navy for many years. The trainees were largely housed in "barracks" to the south of the marina. The is a plaque on the wall of the marina's sani station, opposite the pontoons which house the office and chandlery.

Just beyond the office are the remains of a pair of locks, one wide and one broad, which enabled boats to enter the canal from the Old Dock beyond. The Old Dock was at one time a basin, with an entrance lock which permitted entry to large boats at high tide. The remains of the entrance lock, and some of the paddle gear, is still in place. Looking down into the lock helps one realise the magnitude of the tidal range in the estuary, the second highest in the world. The walk to the end of the Old Dock is well worthwhile for the views of the river and downstream to the two Severn Bridges. The rising tide, as it covers the sandbanks setting up huge standing waves, is a fascinating sight. The former Customs House next to the sea lock is now one of the bases of the Severn Area Rescue Association ( SARA ).

There is no public vehicular access to the marina and Old Dock. The quickest way out on foot is to cross the two canal locks and climb the steps behind the marina office. At the top is a small, locked car park for marina users. The track leads over the hill and descends past the Dockers' Social Club. This club does welcome visiting boaters, but the beer is uninspiring fizz. There are two other pubs within reasonable walking distance.

The Pier View Hotel at Newtown can be reached by crossing the high level bridge near the Dockers' Club, turning right onto the road at the far side of the second bridge over the old railway line. Continue past the houses and the hotel is on the left, with a fine view over the docks. It is fairly basic, although at one time it was alledgedly a lively place, catering for all the needs of visiting sailors. It is about 1 km from the Dockers' Club. There is a Co-op and PO just beyond the hotel.

The Lammastide Inn at Brookend can be reached by crossing the High Level bridge near the Dockers' Club and the bridge over the old railway line, turning right onto the road towards Newtown and almost immediately left. Follow this lane for about 600 m, turn right at the junction and continue for another 600 m. The Lammastide is on the right hand side of the road. It is a pleasant pub serving a variety of real ale and with a restaurant serving fairly good food. It is about 1.5 km from the Dockers' Club.

The New Dock at Sharpness is best reached by continuing along the road south of the Dockers' Club. There is a PO and general stores at the end of the small terrace of cottages on the right of the road, and a shop which looks as though it might at some time become a chandlers. The PO stores opens at 0600 daily, and shuts at 1730 (1230 on Weds and Saturday, 1000 Sunday). Beyond the houses is the dock office and the entrance basin with a single gate open at high tide. There is a dry dock capable of taking large boats, and next to it the entrance lock to the docks. The lock gates can be crossed to reach the far side, and eventually the main road connection to the docks.