About Us

Established in 1946 as L.H. Jones & Son Ltd, Jones Boatyard is is a third generation family business and believed to be England's oldest inland marina.

We have approximately 160 fixed and floating moorings, mostly serviced with electricity. On site facilities include a shower block, elsan disposal, fuel pumps (diesel and petrol), shared water points, 2 slipways and hard standing area. The workshops undertake engineering,boatbuilding, glassfibre repairs, gas and electrical work. In addition to the workshops, the marina offers a well stocked Chandlery and very active Boat Sales Department.

Marina Extension Plans

We are very pleased to have been granted planning permission for a 104 berth marina extension. The site is adjacent to the existing marina on the down stream side of the lock where we plan to introduce modern mooring facilities with floating pontoons connected to water and electricity. The site will also have a cafe, shower block, hardstanding, slipway, parking, canoe launch, and picnic area.
As well as an opportunity to better our existing facilities we also see it as an opportunity for everyone to access the river, either through the Café with easy access to river walks, or through kayaking. We hope to start construting the new basin in 2012. Please click on image opposite to see details of the plans.

The Local River Network

The River Great Ouse is 150 miles (240 km) long which makes it the major navigable river in East Anglia, and the fourth longest river in the United Kingdom. The lower reaches of the Great Ouse are also known as "Old West River" and "the Ely Ouse". The name Ouse is Celtic or pre-Celtic, and probably means simply "water".

The Ouse Valley with its lush open meadows and meandering watercourses provides a treasure trove of wildlife for the birdwatcher, fisherman and rambler. The area is steeped in history with splendid examples of rural and historical architecture and local museums. The river has been of historical importance to the area for centuries, not only as a means of drainage for the low-lying fens, but also as a means of transport.

The river is navigable from Bedford in its upper reaches, passing through woldy, wooded countryside taking in the towns of St. Neots and Huntingdon with several attractive riverside villages en route. The river changes at St. Ives to a more flat, open landscape heralding the beginning of the fenlands. This region is unique, with dramatic open vistas, vast skies and unforgettable sunsets. You can cruise in your boat to the cities of Cambridge and Ely, mooring at secluded waterside pubs as fen lightermen used to many years ago.

For the adventurous, the river continues past Denver Sluice in a tidal channel towards the port of Kings Lynn and the Wash. The experienced boater can enjoy the scenic North Norfolk coast and beyond. Connecting via the River Nene, narrowbeam craft can navigate through the Northhampton arm onto the Grand Union Canal - the main artery of the inland waterways system.

To read more about The River Great Ouse on Wikipedia. Click Here.

Jones boatyard, boat sales and boat chandlers are located in St. Ives, Cambridgeshire on the River Great Ouse, and within an hours drive from Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Peterborough, Greater London, Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Northamptonshire. We specialise in river boat sales and inland boat chandlery.

Local river networks served by the marina, boat sales and chandlery include the River Great Ouse, the River Nene and the Middle Level, the Old West River, the River Cam, the River Lark, the Little Ouse, Brandon Creek, the River Whissey.