W1 Mardyke
An activity hotspot in the harbour.
The opportunity
The Mardyke site holds a great opportunity for two moorings, lending itself to a wellness, food and beverage, or hotel business to complement the existing and highly popular Grain Barge. The site is located off Hotwell Road, in between Grain Barge and Capricorn Quay.
Technical information
- Size: The quay wall is approx. 140m in length providing, for example, opportunities for two moorings for vessels of 70m in length. There is potential to extend out from the quay wall by 17m before reaching the navigation area.
- Lease Length: Term of lease for discussion with interested parties.
- Vessel requirements: High quay walls so low freeboard vessels not appropriate. 1.5m step down is required. No floating installation/vessel shall be constructed in a manner that renderers it not readily moveable should the need arise. Floating installations/vessels should either be capable of self-propulsion or constructed in such a way that facilitates towage when necessary. This is to respond to any future requests from the Harbour Master for the vessel to be temporarily relocated and to allow transit through the harbour to areas where repair, maintenance and survey works can be carried out. The eastern end of the site (40m) is not suitable for a fixed structure as vessels will need to be moved occasionally when access to the dry dock is required by large vessels.
- Access: Directly from quay wall; vehicular access: There is no dedicated parking, nearest public parking and loading from Mardyke Car Park. (Charges apply).
- Power & Utilities: See Resources section.
Current and past uses
- The site is currently used as a laydown area for large vessels waiting to enter the Dry Dock.
- Currently two vessels are moored here, The Bee on a leisure licence and the Dutch Hanson which is waiting to go into the dry dock.
- Once the new commercial mooring are in place, vessels waiting to access the Dry Dock may be temporarily accommodated alongside the new moorings.
- Pooles Wharf Outdoor Activity Centre, part of Young Bristol, currently operates nearby and uses the pontoon for launching paddle boarding and other water activities.
The wider area
- This area is part of the Watersports Activity Focus Area and outlined as the ‘hub’ for watersport provisions.
- Young Bristol is exploring ideas to expand watersports activity at their Pooles Wharf site. This would provide new facilities both on and off the water. They also have an aspiration to create a café and deliver public realm improvements to Mardyke Car Park.
- There is an aspiration to improve the walking route around this part of the harbour and make it a more enjoyable place for visitors to dwell.
Video footage of the Mardyke site
Video footage of the Mardyke site, a heritage vessel floats down the water on a sunny day.
Interested in this site?
The deadline for applications for Mardyke is: 17 November 2025.
