Sutton Harbour Marina
This month we head to the south-west to Devon’s award-winning Sutton Harbour Marina.
Sutton Harbour Group operates Sutton Harbour Marina and King Point Marina in Plymouth – Britain’s Ocean City on Devon’s beautiful south coast. Sutton Harbour Marina is an award-winning 5 Gold Anchor Marina and gives easy access to some of the best sailing waters in the UK whilst protected behind a secure double lock gate offering a safe haven all year round for 420 vessels. The vibrant nautical village where the city meets the sea, super friendly staff and active social calendar gives the marina a warm community vibe.
FACILITIES
Combined with first-class marina facilities, a sociable and friendly berth holder community and award-winning customer service, Sutton Harbour Marina has been recognised internationally as one of the top 105 marinas in the world, continually earning the highest accreditation from industry experts and retaining its 5 Gold Anchor status year on year.
A dedicated team of shore-based staff and crew deliver excellent customer service for you, your family and vessel. A warm welcome at the marina office also offers free Wi-Fi, first class wetrooms, laundry facilities, diesel fuel sales, free berthing assistance, network of recognised contractors and chandleries, complimentary tea/coffee, al fresco deck, indoor seating and a calendar of social events.
BERTHING & STORAGE
Sutton Harbour Marina is based in the heart of the historic harbour of Plymouth, Britain’s Ocean City, with a lively and varied food and drink scene in the adjacent Barbican quarter just minutes from the pontoons, which offer visitor, seasonal and annual berths for up to 420 vessels.
The marina can accommodate yachts up to 30m in length and the 420 pontoon berths are across three unique areas of the historical harbour: Sutton Quay, Guy’s Quay and West Pier. The 5 Gold Anchor Marina offers the choice of a standard package plus fully serviced berths with local utility connections and nearby pump out facilities, 24 hour access secure walk-ashore pontoon berths monitored by on-site personnel and CCTV and car parking.
The marina is a safe haven with exceptionally secure berthing thanks to the 24/7 manned double lock gates at Sutton Lock providing protection from all weathers year-round to give boat owners complete peace of mind.
ACCESS
By sea, Sutton Harbour Marina can be found at Lat: 50o 21’ , 98N Long: 04o 07’ ,96W, and the marina is contactable on VHF channel 12, call sign “Sutton Marina”.
The marina is accessible by sea via Sutton Lock, situated to the east side of Plymouth Waterfront. The lock is free, staffed 24 hours a day and operational upon request. Passage through is controlled by a system of traffic signals displayed both day and night from masts at the north and south ends of the lock.
The light signals are operated by the duty lock keeper in conjunction with the lock gates and passenger footbridge. Contact for passage through the lock should be made at all times by calling “Sutton Lock” on VHF channel 12 maintaining a listening watch thereafter until passage through is complete.
There is a free flow period of up to three hours before and after high tide when locking through is not required.
Plymouth is well served by road and public transport links. The M5 and A38 Devon Expressway connect with the national motorway network. Mainline rail services are available to Plymouth Rail Station, which is a five minute taxi ride or 20 minute walk from the marina.
CRUISING
The marina offers easy access to some of the best sailing waters in the UK found along the Devon and Cornwall coast, and the chance to berth in a city that is both steeped in maritime history as well as the host for many international sailing events including the America’s Cup, Transat, Rolex Fastnet Race, OSTAR and TWOSTAR.
Sutton Harbour Marina is in the heart of historic Plymouth, which makes it easy to explore the South-West, being equally as close to Cornwall and its spectacular coastline as it is to the rugged moors of Devon. Plymouth has one of the finest deep water harbours in the country and offers direct access to some of the best cruising waters in the UK, including the rivers Yealm, Tamar and Lynher, which are all within easy reach for a day trip.
Stunning Devon destinations like Dartmouth, Salcombe, Brixham and Torquay are to the east and picturesque Cornish ports such as Fowey, Falmouth are to the west. Further afield lie the beautiful Isles of Scilly, just 94nm away, and the Channel Islands or French coast are also within striking distance for long weekends.
THINGS TO DO
Relaxation or adventure, afloat or ashore, Sutton Harbour Marina occupies an enchanting position in the heart of Plymouth’s historic waterfront quarter, with an outstanding year-round selection of restaurants, cafes, bars and independent boutique shops. A foodie’s delight awaits with a plethora of restaurants including Rockfish, pizza at The Stable, Honky Tonk Wine Library, Supha’s thai cuisine, Miller & Carter Steakhouse, the Ship and Boston Tea Party to name a few.
Berthing in Plymouth provides opportunities to enjoy the city’s packed events calendar year-round, which includes the national British Fireworks Championships and popular family-friendly events including Pirate Weekend, Plymouth Seafood Festival and the Ocean City Jazz and Blues Festival.
There are also many beautiful cliff top walks such as the South West coast path as well as rugged Dartmoor to explore. Land-based adventures include trekking, horse-riding, climbing and mountain biking.
Berth holders can also visit the National Marine Aquarium, Plymouth Theatre Royal, Plymouth Gin Distillery, The Box IMAX cinema and enjoy shopping at major high street chains based at Drake Circus mall.
Furthermore, Plymouth is about to take centre stage during the worldwide commemorations for Mayflower 400 in 2020, with a host of events held next year to mark the 400 year anniversary of the Pilgrim Fathers setting sail for America from the Mayflower Steps. Sutton Harbour Group is a Founder Partner of the Mayflower 2020 commemorations, and berth holders at its two marinas will be best-placed to enjoy taking part in various events and celebrations planned for the anniversary year.
PERSONAL RECOMMENDATIONS
‘We have been here for 18 years. The location right in the centre was an attraction, it ticked all the boxes and we have made many friends in the marina over the years. It is a very friendly place. When we moved five hours away, the lock gate gave us the comfort that the boat was as safe and secure as it could be. We would, and do, recommend Sutton Harbour Marina to other potential berth holders.” Liz and Nigel
“It is lovely to have everything the city has to offer within walking distance and the contrast to this, the marina, is incredible. We have been here eight years and our neighbours for 19 years. Customer service is a really important thing and we cannot fault the staff at all. It is very protected in here; once you come through the lock gates it is so much calmer.” Rita and Darren
“Sutton Harbour Marina is ideal for A, its proximity to the city centre, so we can go to the theatre and do shopping very conveniently and B, for the sailing. If the weather is poor you can stay in Plymouth Sound, if it is not you can go east or west to lots of lovely coves and bays. We have always found customer service to be very good; we have been to other marinas in Plymouth and this is our favourite by far. We have been here five years now. We chose it as it is the most sheltered and well-maintained. We recommend it to our boating friends and will continue to do so.” Gordon
MORE INFORMATION
Sutton Harbour Marina
Marina Manager: Mark Brimacombe
The Jetty
Sutton Harbour
Plymouth
PL4 0DW
Tel: 01752 204702
E: marina@sutton-harbour.co.uk
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