Ventnor

Ventnor
Facilities
Narrowboat hire
Boat sales
The Team
Contact Us

Welcome to Ventnor Marina

Tel: 01926 815023

One of the UK’s leading inland marinas.

In the heart of Warwickshire near Rugby and on the Grand Union Canal this peaceful non liveaboard marina feels more like a wildlife reserve than a marina.

Fishing lake, dog walking field, BBQ areas, grassy banks concealing the cars, all imbue a wonderfully rural feel. With full narrowboat facilities including a dry dock and two cruising directions, it’s the perfect narrowboat spot.

90% of our moorers chose Ventnor for its location and cruising opportunities, closely followed by the layout and ambience. The marina is split into two basins each with small bays of a dozen berths giving a very private feel.

From a moorers lounge; launderette and disabled facilities to dog showers and even its own resident Barn Owl this 230 narrowboat berth marina is an ideal cruiser’s choice. Plus there are a number of shorter pontoons for river cruisers and smaller boats. And for narrowboat owners seeking a safe and secure marina to leave your boat during the winter Ventnor Marina has staff onsite 24/7.

To read all about Ventnor Marina and what is has to offer, see below, or for a bespoke berthing quote and to find out about our Flexible Berthing Scheme, please call 01926 815023 or click here for our online enquiry form.

More information on all our inland marinas is here, in our 2020 Yearbook.

Boat Sales at Ventnor Marina

Boat Sales at Ventnor Marina are operated by Great Haywood Boat Sales.
If you would like to view a list of all boats currently for sale or would like further information please click here
or telephone 01889 881960

Steve Chapman

Marina Manager

Steve was Harbour Master for Black Prince before becoming Assistant Marina Manager at Ventnor. He still works across both marinas, preferring to be out and about. He can be seen providing wharf side services, completing routine maintenance and Black Prince handovers. Prior to joining the marina team he had held various front line to senior managerial roles within the building industry, retail and co-operative businesses.

Steve’s love of boats has been a lifelong passion. His first vessel was a 16’ powerboat which he used for water skiing off the northeast coast!

Steve and his wife Julie relocated to Warwickshire in 1994. They immediately fell in love with the inland waterways and purchased their first narrowboat in 1995. They now live onboard their widebeam boat with their gorgeous little Cavalier King Charles, Woody.
Rosemary Nippress

Assistant Manager

Rosemary started working in the marina reception and office in early 2020, before being appointed to Assistant Manager. Her usual working days are Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday.

Rosemary along with her husband David and two dogs Geri and Pip moved their boat to Wigrams in 2018. She became very active in the moorers’ social events and a great quizmaster by all accounts!

They have recently purchased a new home in the local village, but will still be enjoying their moorings and social times in the marina.
Alan Bowmer

Dockmaster

Alan joined our Ventnor team in 2019, he takes the lead in the dry dock and also working alongside the Harbourmasters to support with marina services and maintenance. He worked as a Harbourmaster previously (at Wigrams).

Alan brings a variety of skills to the team starting his career many years ago as a shipwright.

Alan and Julia moored their boat at Ventnor for a couple of years before joining us along with their family of pets. They enjoy travelling around the world and have recently purchased a camper for closer to home adventures.
Faye Jones

Housekeeper

Faye has been with Castle Marinas for coming up to three years now, working as part of the housekeeping team to ensure the holiday boats and shareboats alike are cleaned and ready for their requested departures. Plus, facilities at both Wigrams and Ventnor are kept clean and up to a high standard.

Faye lives in a nearby village with her partner, Darren and their 3 children, she has a love for all animals, especially for her palomino pony Anki, and all her other pets within their household.
Martyn Tilson

Accountant

Born and bred in Coventry and nearby towns, Martyn spent most of his career in accountancy or employment and health and safety law. He bought his first narrow boat in the late 90's after 10 years of hiring.

He was lured away from the high mileage, high pressure environment in 2004 to manage Calcutt Boats Marina. After 10 successful years he moved onto his narrowboat and set off to explore the system. Over wintering at Wigrams Turn proved a bad move for the retirement plan as the staff proved such a good team he succumbed to the opportunity to join part time as harbourmaster and latterly accounts for Wigrams and Ventnor marina.

He lives at Wigrams Turn on his boat with wife Sue and Connie the dog.
Chris Lee

Harbourmaster

Chris joined the Ventnor team is April 2017 after applying for the Harbourmaster's job whilst mooring at Wigrams Turn Marina.

Chris sold the cottage he lived in with his wife in 2012 and moved on to their narrowboat Sammy. They moored on the North Stratford for over four years before moving to Wigrams Turn in October 2016.

Previously, Chris had been a toolmaker, at Automotive Products for 30 years before moving career to working at British Waterways, where he worked for 15 years. He worked on the agriculture side and was Lock Keeper on the Stratford Canal.

Chris has been married to Caryn for nearly 35 years and they have three children Andrew who is married and now lives in Australia, Kate who is a lecturer and engaged and Matthew who is married and has Chris and Caryn’s grandson Alfie, whom they adore. Chris also has two springer spaniels Rosie and Molly and a 24 year old cat, Kio on board.

Chris thinks living and working at Ventnor "is more than he could have wished for".

Chris says "he is often mistaken as Billy off DIY SOS"
Roz Gallagher

Part Time Admin Assistant (Ventnor/Wigrams Turn)

Roz joins the teams at Wigrams Turn and Ventnor Marinas to help with Admin on a part time basis.

Over the years Roz has worked in admin roles in various industries from software to aerospace. Now she says "I am lucky enough to work in a place where I can look forward to going to, amid beautiful surroundings".

She lives in Rugby with my husband Mark and cat Loki. They love spending time in the mountains here and abroad, but she is looking forward to learning more about canal living. She also enjoy horse riding, wine making, home entertainment and Formula 1.
Karen Wray

Part-time Admin Assistant

Karen has worked at both Ventnor and Wigrams Turn Marina’s since March 2014, she’s recently reduced her hours to a part time. Her usual days of work are Friday, Saturday & Sunday, across the 2 marinas.

Karen lives on her boat NB Musashi, with husband Chris and their 2 dogs, Rocky & Tilly. She is using her newly found spare time on a new hobby, gardening and is looking forward to achieving her first crop of vegetables.
Sheridan Fowler

Harbourmaster

Sheridan has worked for Castle Marinas for 8 years, first at Wigrams Turn then moving to Ventnor 7 years ago.

In his previous life he was a foundry worker then funeral director in his home town of Banbury.

He has been married to Tia for 30 years, has 2 children Vanien and Amelia, a ferret called Dell Boy and Ruby the owl.

And in Sheridan's words "I’ve got the best job in the world".

Explore the Marina

Peaceful non liveaboard marina in the heart of Warwickshire countryside

Contact Castle Marinas using the following methods:

Email

Telephone

Steve Chapman
01926 815023

Post

Ventnor Marina
Calcutt Lane
Stockton
Rugby
Warwickshire
CV23 8HY

Contact us form

Narrowboat Holidays with Castle Marinas

Castle marinas operates five marinas on the UK's inland waterways network including some of the UK's leading inland marinas catering for all types of narrowboats and river cruisers. From our base at Wigrams Turn Marina, we also run a Black Prince hire fleet of some 15 narrowboats, ideal for holidays of all types.

Black Prince Holidays offer award winning luxury narrowboat holidays from 9 locations across the UK, including Wigrams Turn Marina. All narrowboats have full central heating, 240v electric, Freeview,DVD and mobile WiFi, making the Black Prince Holidays fleet one the best equipped on the canal system.

Ideally situated at the head of the Oxford Canal, Wigrams Turn in Napton is a base that offers a starting point for a large number of interesting routes. The Warwickshire Ring, for the more energetic and experienced, contrasts the beautiful countryside around Warwick with city life and industry through Birmingham and Spaghetti Junction. Trips of beauty and interest can also be achieved, including Stratford Upon Avon, Oxford, Snarestone, or a visit to the Waterways Museum at Stoke Bruerne, depending on the number of locks you wish to negotiate.

Visit the Black Prince Holidays website for more details including special offers canal boat holidays.

www.black-prince.com

Peaceful berths on fully serviced pontoons

Marina Information

There are 260 berths at Ventnor, suitable for all sizes of narrowboat and crusier. Set across two basins, the berths are laid out in bays, preserving a sense of privacy for moorers. Please see our marina layout here

The marina has direct access to the Grand Union Canal, a central position providing excellent cruising potential. Running a distance of 137 miles with branches to towns along the way, The Grand Union is the trunk route of Britain's canal network linking from London, through the Chilterns with Birmingham. It offers a wide variety of landscapes, wildlife, buildings, architecture and historic craft for you to discover.

Berthing at Ventnor Marina allows narrowboat and canal boat owners access not only to the fantastic Grand Union Canal, but also gives other multiple destinations on the Warwick and Napton Canal.

Pontoon Services - Water/Electricity

Ventnor Marina is a non liveaboard marina with 230 permanent narrowboat moorings as well as visitor and seasonal berths.

All of the marina berths have their own designated pontoon, with water and electricity available year round. Water is free of charge.

Electricity is invoiced on a quarterly basis and costs 15p per unit (including service charge and VAT).

Ventnor Marina also has a limited supply of smaller moorings for cruisers and canal boats.

Showers, Toilets and Launderette Facilities

The toilets and shower facilities are available to all customers of Ventnor Marina, open 24 hours a day and include disabled facilities.

There are toilets and showers in the main amenities building and another in the second phase of the marina alongside the dry dock facility

There are launderette facilities in both phases of the marina in the facilities buildings. Washing Machines and Dryers are both operated by coins.

Dry dock, bottom blacking, maintenance and repair facility

A dry dock facility is available for all boating customers at Ventnor Marina. It is a pre-bookable and fully serviced facility. (there is no self service option.

For further details on bottom blacking or to book please contact the marina office or click here. Marina office staff will be happy to help with any query you have regarding the dry dock.

Wigrams Turn Marina has onsite engineers available to help with your narrowboat servicing and repair work at Ventnor. This service will need to be prebooked, please contact the marina office (at either Ventnor or Wigrams) for more information and we will be happy to help.

Fuel/Pump Out/Waste Disposal/Recycling

Diesel, Gas and Pump Out for your boat are all available at Ventnor Marina.

Diesel is served at the service bays located on both phase 1 and phase 2 of the marina.

Open daily (except Wednesday) from 9am - 4pm (closed between 1 - 2 pm)

Security/Parking

There is plenty of parking space close to both marina phases and yet cleverly hidden by the marina banks. There are also ample trollies for offloading supplies from your car to your boat.

Security

Ventnor Marina has a team of three staff who live onsite adding to the security of the marina. They are there to provide a safe, secure and enjoyable berthing environment and are happy to help with your narrowboat or canal boat berthing. Being a marina with a ‘non-liveaboard’ status the fact that there are staff living onsite at Ventnor Marina gives our customers an extra peace of mind when they are away from their boat. Harbourmasters make regular boat checks. In addition the security gates only allow customers with an access code entry to the marina.

Ventnor Marina Members Lounge

Within the main amenities building next to the Marina office there is a comfortable and sunny members lounge with a TV for members use and an informal book exchange. Ideal for small get togethers/ coffee mornings with other moorers.

The room is accessible via an access code and is available to Ventnor Marina moorers 24 hours a day.

Marina Safety

At Ventnor Marina our primary function is to offer a safe, secure and enjoyable boating environment for all our boating customers. We want you to get the most out of your canal or narrowboating on the UK’s inland waterways plus be able to keep your boat in a marina with the best facilities and services. To achieve this we draw all moorers attention to the following boat and marina safety points.

There are several potential hazards within a marina environment. Pontoons are slippery when wet and icy. Please take care and wear suitable footwear. Please also take extra care at night and in strong winds.

Please do not leave any clutter, untidy cables or cycles on pontoons, these can cause a trip hazard and can impede access.

Children must be supervised at all times and must not ride in the trollies. Lifejackets are advisable.

In the event of a difficulty please contact the marina office immediately. You may want to make a note of the out of hours contact number. Harbourmasters are contactable 24 hours a day seven days a week.

Life rings and extinguishers are located around the Marina.

There is a first aid station in the Marina Office

Smoking is strictly prohibited along the length of the service quay area particularly near to the Pump Out, Diesel, Bottled Gas and Fuel areas.

Our staff are there to help you. If you doubt your ability to manoeuvre your boat in the prevailing conditions do alert the Harbourmasters who will be happy to assist.

Any damage to pontoons, facilities or boats should be reported to the Marina Office immediately.

Please also do not allow oil contaminated bilge effluent to be discharged into the marina and be aware that hot central heating or engine exhausts can scorch wooden pontoons.

We value our customers opinions

Improving our marinas with our customers help

We regularly collect information from our customers regarding our facilities and services. We would be very grateful as a customer at Ventnor Marina, whether a visitor or an annual berth holder, if you could spare some time to complete our short survey. The results are anonymous unless you would like some feedback. We publish the results of the surveys on an annual basis.

Please click on the link below and thank you very much in advance.

Ventnor Marina Customer Satisfaction Survey 2017

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