A trip down the Fossdyke - Lincoln

Lincoln

We arrived in Lincoln and had to push hard against the flow of water through the bottle neck of the glory hole. (the sluice must have been on maximum flow) Lincoln has a well kept secret—it's the Lincoln Boat Club. One eagle eyed member of our small flotilla had spotted the small building next door to the sea cadets. Entrance is via a small black door in the side wall. However, once inside it is a nice cosy clubhouse and pleasant bar area. We all signed in the visitors book and then settled down again for a pleasant convivial evening.

A wide selection of the extended range of bottled beer and wine was duly checked, sampled and passed as fit for boaters consumption, the consumption then began in earnest. The club chairlady introduced herself and made us all feel very welcome. Towards the end of our stay the barman and commodore also introduced himself. We discovered a bit of the history of the club. As we left, we were invited to come again any-time. There is the rub—because the members prefer to be out boating—so the club is only open on Friday evenings from 8pm until 11pm.

Washingborough visitor moorings (pontoon)—room for four boats. Very quiet and rural, a short walk into the village for pubs and shops. We always plan to moor up here. Public footpath and cycleway nearby.

Washingborough to VM Bardney Lock VM (5 Miles)

Fiskerton Fen nature reserve visitor moorings (pontoon). Room for about six boats, very quiet and rural. Nature reserve next to the moorings. No facilities available.

Bardney Lock visitor moorings, (pictured) room for six or more boats. Electrical power available (CaRT card) on the visitor moorings. Very quiet and rural. Sanitary station and water point at the lock, five minutes walk from the visitor moorings.

Bardney Lock VM to Dunstan Fen VM (4 miles)

Short navigable length of the river to the left out of the lock. Turn on reaching the first drain. (one mile) Turn right under the old railway bridge for Boston.

Bardney Town visitor moorings (pontoon). Room for about two or three boats. A few shops a short walk away.

Southery Visitor moorings (pontoon). Room for two boats. Local pub a short distance away.

Dunstan Fen Visitor moorings (pictured). Room for 12 boats. The moorings are on opposite side of the river with no connecting bridge between. We prefer the Dunstan Fen mooring as boats can moor each side of the pontoon. Plus there is access to the Whitehorse Inn. Good food and the new landlord is trying to accommodate boaters by selling staples such as bread, milk and eggs.

Dunstan Fen VM to Dog Dyke VM (7 Miles)

Kirkstead Visitor moorings (pontoon). Sewage farm nearby, always a bit niffy...

Tattershall Bridge visitor moorings (split pontoon) A very noisy location due to nearby RAF airfield. Small shops in the immediate area.

Dogsdyke visitor moorings (pontoon). Very quiet between the aircraft! and very rural. Room for a couple of boats on each mooring which are split in two with an access bridge. The Packet Inn offers good food and electrical hook-up if needed on request.

Dogsdyke VM to Langrick Bridge (7 miles)

Orchard visitor moorings (pictured). Room for about four boats. There is a mooring charge (£15 per night) so no wonder the place is always empty apart from a boat that seems to be moored on a long term basis.

Kyme Eau (River Slee) Sleaford Canal. (Pictured below) Navigable with care—narrow in places. Give it a miss unless you are on a boat with a shallow draft.

Langrick Bridge Visitor moorings. (pontoon) Shop, boatyard and small chandlers—gas and coal available. Room for 4/5 boats.

Langrick Bridge to Boston VM (4 miles)

Antons Gowt Lock visitor moorings (pontoon). Room for a couple of boats. Frith Bank Drain leading to Mauds Drain, access through Antons Gowt Lock. (60ft max in winding hole). Boats are often moored off river, just above the lock.

Boston visitor moorings. (pontoon). With Boston Marina behind. Small chandler always seems to be closed! Boston is a busy cosmopolitan place. Great pubs to eat out. Room for 10/12 boats. There is an Elsan facility, shower and toilets as well as a water point located alongside the lock. Plus a small café which is well worth a visit.

The trip down the Fossdyke and River Witham is a pleasant one.