Page updated 22 October 2005 

Wisbech Yacht Harbour

Editors:	Not indicated
Publisher:	Fenland District Council
Available by Post from:	Harbour Office, Dock Cottage, Crab Marsh, Wisbech Cambs. PE13 3JJ Tel: 01945 588059 Fax: 01945 580589 Mobile: 07951 378281 E-Mail: Torbeau@btinternet.com
Format:	A full colour A5 booklet of 24 stapled pages, with about a quarter of those containing advertising from local businesses.

General Comments:

This professionally produced booklet replaced the simple folded sheet called "A Small Craft Guide to the Port of Wisbech" in 2004 and contains more information than the original guide along with sponsors advertisements.

It opens with a list of visitor attractions. These include Peckover House, (a National Trust property with a superb 2 acre Victorian garden) and Elgood's Brewery (its garden and the brewery itself is open to visitors during the summer).  Both of these are on the famous North Brink which is packed with elegant 18th century merchant's and landowner's houses.  Opposite, on the South Brink, is the Octavia Hill museum (Octavia was a founder of the National Trust and housing campaigner). Then comes a page of useful addresses for, Tourist Information, Doctors and Dentists, Veterinary Surgeries and even local Coach Enquires, as well as a map of the town centre.

The following section provides general navigation advice, though this is aimed at those approaching from the sea rather than inland boaters that do not pass downstream from the Yacht Harbour. After this comes a section on Boating and the Environment, which explains about various sites of Special Scientific Interest both upstream and downstream from Wisbech. Several more pages cover procedures for arrival and departure from Wisbech. All but two of these cover passage downstream rather than the upstream passage which will interest the inland boater.

The booklet is completed with a number of maps of the areas up and downstream and a detailed plan of the berths within the harbour, plus four pages of 2004 tide tables. (I have not been sent any new edition for 2005)

Many inland boaters, used only to the canals, find the prospect of tidal waterways intimidating.  However, the Yacht Harbour Master reported that over the summer of 2000, after the Gold Licence had been introduced, half a dozen narrowboats made the trip.  Since then many more have visited Wisbech - and it is a town worth visiting with much splendid Georgian architecture left from its heyday.

This guide will prove very useful for anyone contemplating navigating below the Dog in the Doublet lock, providing, as it does, detailed navigation advice and an introduction and maps to some of the tourist attractions and other features of the town.

Reviewed by: Greg Chapman