Gloucester and District

Model Boat Club

 

Road directions to our main meeting venues

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE

 

The sailing venues detailed on this site have been negotiated specifically between the Gloucester and District Model Boat Club and the respective land owners of the sites to allow Members of the GDMBC to sail model boats.  All members of the GDMBC carry a minimum of £2M of public liability insurance which is, from time to time, increased to £5M if required by the land owner.  Members of the general public are not usually allowed to sail on these waters unless they too have obtained the necessary consents and carry the appropriate level of public liability insurance.  Visitors to official Club meetings will always be welcome to use these waters with the permission of Club officials but they must independently carry the appropriate level of insurance cover.

 

1.   Gloucester - The Gala Club, Fairmile Gardens, off Tewkesbury Road

 

Note - this is not a sailing venue but it is the location of our winter club evenings and Christmas socials etc.

 

Land Ranger Map No. 162 Grid Reference 837 202

 

a) Approaching from the city centre:

        Take the Tewkesbury Road north out of the city

        Cross the Estcourt Road/St Oswalds Road roundabout

        Pass Gambia Parry Gardens (first right)

        Turn next right into Fairmile Gardens

 

b) Approaching from other directions:

        Take the A40 Northern By-Pass

        Turn to the city centre at the A38/Tewkesbury Road roundabout

        Pass Plock Court (first left)

        Turn next left into Fairmile Gardens

 

After (a) or (b)

       The Gala Club is slightly to the left after about 100 yards

       Park at the rear of the building and enter by the door from the car park

       There is often a man at the door but we usually have a pre-booked room and there is no further entrance fee to pay.

 

 

2.  Gloucester - Gloucester Docks, Victoria Basin Arm

 

 

Land Ranger Map No 162 Grid Reference 828 184

 

Please note that with the new construction work taking place at the Docks that these directions will change at short notice and parts may no longer be accessible by car.   There are brown tourist signs to “Gloucester’s Historic Docks” from the M5 and other parts of the city.

 

a)  Approaching from the City centre:

       Leave City centre by Southgate Street travelling south towards Bristol

       At large new Bank of England building on LHS (now sold-off to private developers) turn right into the main car park signed to Gloucester Docks

 

b) Approaching from Bristol

       Take A430 into Gloucester past Peel Centre (Cinema, Burger King etc)  on LHS

       Cross the traffic lights (signed left to Hempsted via Llanthony Road and lifting bridge)

       Turn next left into the main car park signed to Gloucester Docks

 

After (a) or (b) then

       Turn right into the road which runs alongside the car parking area by the Victoria Basin where a selection of 20 or so full-sized craft are moored up.  Park in the Pay and Display car park.

       Sailing is by the swing bridge on the South bank of the arm off the main dock into the Victoria basin.   There is a dropped section of quayside where the swing-bridge pivots, this has steps down to it and it gives easy access to the water.

 

Parking is free at certain times on production of evidence of your club membership but this needs to be checked with Club officials as it changes from time-to-time.

 

 

3. Newent

 

Note - we have the use of a private lake near Newent.  This is for the exclusive use of Club members on dates agreed in advance with the landowner.  Directions to this venue will only be supplied to Club members.

 

 

4.   Over Basin, Herefordshire and Gloucestershire Canal

 

 

Land Ranger Map No. 162: Grid Reference 816  198

 

Leave Gloucester over Westgate Bridge to Newent and Ross-on-Wye

Do not take left hand slip lane to Ross-on-Wye but instead continue to roundabout with A40 and Take first exit signed A40 to Ross-on-Wye and Newent

Move immediately into right-hand filter lane and turn right at traffic lights across dual carriageway into the new development of houses at Over

The canal basin is immediately visible in front as you enter the estate.

Turn right and cross the bridge over the lock (under restoration) from the basin into the Severn.

There is an area for parking close to the water after about 75yds

There is a launching slipway adjacent to the car perking area.

Boats may also be launched from the bank of the basin but this requires a cradle or launching slings as it can be quite a stretch down to the water.

 

 

5.   Saul Junction, Whitminster - Junction of Gloucester-Sharpness and Stroud Canals

 

Land Ranger Map No. 162: Grid Reference 757 090

 

Leave Gloucester on A38 South to Bristol

After 4 miles from Hardwicke roundabout, pass public house on left

Turn right at signpost to Whitminster and follow road, pass church on right and cross small bridge over Stroud canal

Turn first right and cross main canal bridge

Turn right again and continue to end of track to Wycliffe Boat Club

Sail boats from the canal bank on the platform adjacent to the swing bridge over the main canal..

 

6. Mallards Pike -  Forest of Dean

 

       View map

 

Note - this venue is normally only used on one or two specifically pre-arranged days each year for a Club picnic.

 

Land Ranger Map 162:   Grid reference 637 095

 

Take the A48 along the west side of the Severn

Travelling South on the A48 through Blakeney turn right onto the Nibley and Parkend road

After about five miles there are signs to Mallards Pike lake and picnic area on the RHS of the road.

There is ample pay-and-display parking and the Club are allowed access up to the water for unloading models but cars must be returned to the car park.  There is usually free parking for Club picnics as we pay rental for the use of the lake.  It is important to display evidence of GDMBC membership in your car window.