Visit The Historic Gloucester Docks

The Historic Gloucester Docks are one jewel in the city’s crown and have an intriguing history. It is not far to walk to from the town centre or the other major attraction, the cathedral. The docks are also home to the Gloucester Quays outlet shopping centre, which has many great shops and more options for eateries.

There are many Victorian warehouses that make up the docks. Some of the Victorian warehouses are listed buildings. The docks formed when the canal from Sharpness opened in 1827. This canal allowed boats to bypass a treacherous part of the River Severn.

This is the most inland port in the UK. Historically, the docks were bustling with the activity of narrow boats, sailing ships, steamships, and barges. Nowadays, its primary use is for leisure purposes and having a dockyard for boat repairs. The preserved docks and warehouses have been a movie set and featured in some outstanding films, including Alice Through the Looking Glass and Amazing Grace.

Lock & Bridges

Gloucester Lock links the Main Basin to the River Severn. They formally opened the lock for the use of barges in October 1812. This enabled boats to travel upstream from Gloucester toward Tewkesbury, Worcester, and beyond. They built the lock in the 1790s before they completed the canal. The digging had gone as far as Hardwicke. The lock keeper typically lived in the Lock House; nowadays the property is a holiday rental.

Llanthony Bridge is a crossing point over the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal at Gloucester Docks. They named the bridge after the nearby 12th-century Llanthony Priory. The current structure is an electric bridge made of steel. The bridge keeper operates, opening the bridge from 9 am until 6 pm. The site also housed two other bridges, the earliest of which dates back to 1794. The earlier bridge was a manually operated double-leaf swing bridge.

Warehouses in Gloucester Docks

The dock area consists of Victorian warehouses with two basins.

North Warehouse

The North Warehouse was the first in the area, built at the northern end of the main basin. They built it in 1826-27 to ensure there was storage for cargo once they completed the canal.

The three warehouses in a row on the west side of the smaller Victoria Dock were all built for local iron merchant William Partridge. This group consists of the Victoria, Albert and Britannia warehouses, all commonly referred to as Mr Partridge’s Warehouses.

Victoria Warehouse

The Victoria Warehouse was built in 1849. They predominantly used it in the supply and storage of grains. The NHS currently uses the building as office space. They completed the Albert Warehouse in 1851. The warehouse was a corn merchant’s and then used as a flour mill until 1979. They mainly used the Britannia Warehouse in the corn and grain business after its construction in 1861.

Lock Warehouse

The Lock Warehouse is located alongside the lock that joins the canal with the river. They built the structure in 1834, and they built a neighbouring Pillar Warehouse the year after. However, a fire destroyed Pillar Warehouse. Corn merchants again used the Lock Warehouse.

Llanthony Warehouse

They constructed the Llanthony Warehouse in 1873. They built it with bricks topped off with a slate roof. Inside, it had wooden floors and cast-iron columns. The building’s primary purpose was to store grain. Winches on the roof and loading doors on each floor meant the grain sacks could be lifted easily in or out of this storage facility. The building currently houses the National Waterways Museum.

There are many other buildings in Gloucester Docks and those that sadly no longer exist. Find a full map here.

Cranes

There are a few historic cranes on display in the area. Firstly, the Midland Railway Crane, located in the Victoria Dock, is burgundy and cream. The crane came from the Midland Railway goods yard at New Mills station in Cheshire. The crane dates from 1902 and could lift 5 tonnes.

There is also a black steam crane on the North Quay of the main dock. The 7½-tonne steam crane is a standard Leeds type built in 1944 by Joseph Booth & Brothers of Rodley. The crane served for many years at the South Shields Ship Repair Yard. In 1994, they brought it to Gloucester to commemorate the steam cranes that once worked there.

Restaurants & Pubs in Gloucester Docks

There are many options to eat out in the historic docks area, including many at the quays. There are further options to eat out in Gloucester if you fancy something else.

Greek on the Docks restaurant

Greek on the Docks is a top-notch Greek eatery with outdoor seating on the dockside. They serve some very high-quality food and wine from Greece in a pleasant environment. Their sharing platters are excellent if dining out with someone, as are the traditional dishes.

Cote

Cote is a lovely French restaurant in Gloucester Quays. This restaurant has a lovely dining room and some outdoor seating to enjoy on a summer’s day. The restaurant offers a diverse range of French dishes, all prepared to an exceptionally high standard. To complement your meal, they also serve some excellent French wines. A highlight of their menu is the chateaubriand, which is ideal for sharing. The dish is a delicious steak cooked to perfection. Other delicious items on the menu include French onion soup, fish stew, and some tasty cheese dishes. Cote is a wonderful place to dine out for a special occasion or date night.

Portivo Lounge a pleasant bar

Portivo Lounge in Gloucester Docks is a great daytime or evening destination, with seating inside as well as outside. The Portivo Lounge is part of a chain of venues called “The Lounges.”. You can find these in many towns across the county. The bars have mixed seating in an eclectic style and have tables, comfy chairs and sofas for you to relax in.

The lounges are great for drinks and also offer some very interesting, reasonably priced food. The menu includes their sharing tapas plates, which are great for a relaxed lunch. The Portivo Lounge in Gloucester Quays is dog friendly, and pets are very welcome in their bars. They have a fantastic menu that includes small plates, breakfasts, and some interesting snacks, like pulled pork panini. I’ve enjoyed a few meals out or drinks at Portivo Lounge and find it excellent.

Events in Gloucester Docks

There are many events and things to see at the docks. However, the premier event in the calendar is the famous Tall Ships Festival. This takes place in May every two years, where visitors flock to the docks to see the boats and other historical-themed events.

In late August each year, the area hosts a classic car and retro festival called Gloucester Goes Retro. This is a fantastic event, and the entire city, including the docks, comes to life. They have live entertainment, people in period costumes and many vehicles for you to peruse.

Tourist Attractions in Gloucester Docks

There is plenty to see on a normal day in Gloucester Docks for tourists and locals alike.

See the Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum

The Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum is at the edge of the docks and has many exhibits. The theme of the museum is the history of the regiments of the county.

Mariners Church

The Mariners Church in Gloucester Docks opened in 1849. Sailors from many countries frequented this eye-catching church. It is near the Reynolds and Vinings Warehouses.

They built the Mariners Church predominantly for the workers in the dockyard and crews of boats that had moored nearby. It has always welcomed all residents of Gloucester. Today, it continues to attract visitors from all over the world who come to explore the historic docks.

Boat Trips

English Holiday Cruises is a local company that provides river cruises on the River Severn and canal. You typically board one of their boats in Gloucester, then relax for a unique touring holiday through the glorious English countryside of the Cotswolds and Severn Vale.

Take a short boat trip on Queen Boadicea along the canal and receive an educational tour of the area. Typically, the boat trip lasts 45 minutes, during which a commentary highlights the sights along the way. Queen Boadicea was part of the Dunkirk evacuations during the Second World War. You can book tickets at the National Waterways Museum.

National Waterways Museum

The National Waterways Museum is one of the key tourist attractions in Gloucester Docks. It is an intriguing place to visit to learn about the waterways of the UK, including the local canals.

The museum’s collection of exhibits tells the story of Britain’s canals and navigable rivers. This is a 300-year history of the waterways of the UK. Their collection has over 12000 objects. These include 68 historic boats and a dredger.

Enjoy the Nightlife

There are now many options for bars, pubs, and restaurants in the dock and quay areas. However, it is becoming more and more vibrant as they develop it. The area is pretty special at night, ideal for fun-seekers as well as photographers.

Hire a Boat

When in the docks, you can also hire an electric motorboat to mooch around the canal and dockland areas. These can accommodate up to 8 people and cost £50 for an hour of fun on the water. These are a fun thing to do and offer a unique experience.