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More freedom to cruise

with an Aquavista leisure mooring in the Midlands

As we step into a brand-new year, there’s no better time to plan your next cruising adventure. How about a leisure mooring at one of our marinas with the freedom to explore the network for free?

Choose Your Cruise is back for 2026 – and now with 12 Midlands marinas to pick as your home base. From Kings Marina on the banks of the River Trent to Cropredy Marina on the South Oxford Canal. Or if you're looking to venture further afield, you can head across to the River Great Ouse to visit Buckden and Priory - giving you more choice than ever before.

Once you’ve chosen your base, the fun begins! With our EXPLORE 100 benefit, annual moorers enjoy up to 100 free nights at any of our other Aquavista marinas*, giving you a safe place to moor overnight while you discover new waterways.

You can reach one of our sister marinas in as little as an hour – perfect for a relaxing day trip – or plan a longer adventure with plenty of stops along the way.

If more freedom to cruise, a secure mooring at the end of the day, and a warm, friendly welcome sound good, keep reading to find out more about our 12 marinas participating in Choose Your Cruise.
*subject to availability

Choose your cruise in the Midlands

Choose You Cruise 2026 Map Min
*Cruising times are approximate.
Kings

1. Kings Waterside & Marina

Right in the heart of Newark, Kings Waterside & Marina offers fantastic cruising options on the River Trent, with easy access to the Fossdyke Navigation and the Chesterfield Canal – so you’ll never run out of places to explore. This picturesque marina has a welcoming community feel and all the facilities you need for a comfortable stay. Manager Paula would love to show you around.

 

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Notts Castle

2. Nottingham Castle Waterside & Marina

This stop off on the Nottingham and Beeston Canal is so peaceful you’ll probably forget you’ve got the city centre on your doorstep – it’s just a mile’s walk away.  You’ve got access to the whole waterways network, you can head to the tidal Trent, which takes you towards Newark – where our Kings Waterside & Marina is located. Or you can cruise down the navigational cut of the River Trent and stop off at our Sawley Waterside & Marina. Supervisor Katie would love to show you around.

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Sawley

3. Sawley Waterside & Marina

Right near Long Eaton in Nottinghamshire, Sawley Marina has some great cruising options nearby - the Trent & Mersey canal, the River Trent, the River Soar and the Erewash Canal – so it’s safe to say you probably won’t get bored here. As one of the largest inland marinas in the UK it has a great community feel too. Manager Jon would love to show you around.

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Kings Bromley

4. Kings Bromley Waterside & Marina

Sitting on the Trent and Mersey, Kings Bromley has 90 miles of waterways to explore. Fradley Junction is only a few miles away – it’s a great base to explore the Four Counties and the Cheshire Ring which wind through some fantastic countryside. On land the village is just half-an-hour’s walk or a short drive away. Manager Paul and his crew would love to show you around.

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Trinity

5. Trinity Waterside & Marina

Set on a quiet spot on the Ashby canal you’ve got 40 miles of lock-free canals to explore – it’s perfect for some really chilled-out cruising. Sister marinas Kings Bromley, Wigrams Turn, Ventnor and Crick are all within easy reach or further afield you can explore the Warwickshire Ring and the East Midlands Ring. Manager Sammie would love to show you around.

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Brinklow

6. Brinklow Waterside & Marina

Nicknamed ‘the marina of dreams’ because it’s a pretty special place, with a lively community vibe, Brinklow is also a great base to cruise the Midlands network. Set on the northern arm of the Oxford Canal – you’ve got 29 miles of lock free canal to explore. For bigger boat trips, you’ve also got easy access to the Grand Union, Ashby, and Coventry canals. Manager Dave would love to show you around.

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Crick

7. Crick Waterside & Marina

Perfectly placed on the Leicester Line of the Grand Union Canal, Crick Marina gives you 21 miles of lock-free cruising – along with easy access to all the major cruising routes. On land you don’t need to go that far for things to do – it’s only a couple of minutes’ walk into Crick, which is a lovely little village. You’ve also got brand new facilities to enjoy thanks to its recent refurbishment. Manager Kim would love to show you around.

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Ventnor

8. Ventnor Waterside & Marina

With its nature reserve like feel, Ventnor (a leisure only marina) is a tranquil spot to moor. It’s set in the middle of the Warwickshire countryside, so you’ve got easy access to the Grand Union Canal, making it the perfect base for exploring the Warwickshire Ring (and beyond), or simply visiting Wigrams Turn. Manager Mark would love to show you around.

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Wigrams Turn

9. Wigrams Turn Waterside & Marina

For endless cruising possibilities, you can’t do better than Wigrams Turn Waterside & Marina. Set on the junction of the Oxford and Grand Union Canals, you’ve got three cruising directions and miles and miles of open countryside to explore. The closest Aquavista marina is Ventnor, only a few hours cruise away. Manager Marc would love to show you around.

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Cropredy 1

10. Cropredy Waterside & Marina

A great little hideaway (but it’s still got loads going on), Cropredy is ideally positioned on the southern Oxford Canal, for short and longer cruises on the southern half of the English canal network. There also access to the Thames at Oxford whilst sister marinas – Wigrams Turn, Ventnor and Crick are only a short cruise away. Manager Sarah would love to show you around.

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Buckden

11. Buckden Waterside & Marina

Nestled on the banks of the River Great Ouse, Buckden Waterside & Marina is a fantastic base for cruising adventures. From here, you can explore the scenic Great Ouse itself, with easy connections to the River Cam and the Middle Level Navigations – perfect for discovering the beauty of East Anglia’s waterways. This tranquil marina has a friendly, welcoming atmosphere and all the facilities you need for a comfortable stay. Manager Mick would love to show you around.

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Priory

12. Priory Waterside & Marina

Located in the historic city of Bedford, Priory Waterside & Marina is perfectly placed for cruising along the picturesque River Great Ouse. From here, you can enjoy peaceful journeys through stunning countryside and charming market towns, with easy access to the wider Ouse network. This friendly marina offers a relaxed atmosphere and excellent facilities for boaters. Manager Nina would love to show you around.

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