Discover West Stockwith

West Stockwith combines waterways, village history and distinctive buildings to create a destination with a character of its own. The village lies on the River Trent and offers various ways to shape your stay: you can follow the West Stockwith Village Trail, discover historical traces in the village or watch the activity around the canal basin. Those looking for a holiday apartment or holiday cottage will find a place where cultural and waterside experiences can be incorporated into their personal travel plans.

Between Water Lanes and the River Trent

A good place to start is the West Stockwith Village Trail. It passes the historic Water Lanes and offers an immediate sense of the village. A walk through the village to the canal basin also leads to the point where the River Idle flows into the River Trent. This means that the focus is not only on individual sights, but also on the relationship between the village, river and canal.

West Stockwith was historically a port and shipbuilding village visited by sailors. Boatbuilding also played a long-standing role in West Stockwith Basin and connected the village with river traffic. This history shapes the choice of experiences: while the walk through the village draws attention to buildings and local details, the focus at the Basin is on boats, water and the present-day use of the waterways.

Church, monuments and distinctive houses

St Mary’s Church was built in 1722 on the western bank of the River Trent by the trustees of William Huntington on the site of his shipyard. Known as the Church of St Mary the Virgin with Boundary Walls and Gates, it is a Grade II* listed parish church. Inside is a life-size marble monument to William Huntington. The marble monument depicts him leaning on one elbow and holding a drawing of a ship.

Further traces of the village’s history complement this focus. The Malt Kiln was where grain was prepared for brewing in the village. The Dutch Houses stand out for their ornamentation, which imitates the Dutch style popular in the 17th century. West Stockwith can therefore be experienced not only through its waterside location, but also through the functions and design forms associated with its past.

The Basin and the Chesterfield Canal

The Chesterfield Canal was built between 1771 and 1777. At West Stockwith, it is still used by moving narrowboats. Visitors who want to experience the canal at close quarters therefore need both historical context and practical guidance for orientation. Passage through West Stockwith Lock must be booked by telephone at least 48 hours in advance.

At West Stockwith Basin, the terminus on the River Trent, there is a slipway. Moorings for up to 48 hours are available on the bank by the bridge in the Basin. West Stockwith also has a water supply for boats and facilities for pumping out wastewater. Another distinctive feature of the river is The Aegir, the tidal bore of the River Trent.

Which accommodation suits your travel plans?

If you want to focus on village history, waterside walks and the canal, you can consider a holiday apartment or holiday cottage in West Stockwith as a base for planning your trip. The first consideration is whether you would rather fill your stay with historical discoveries, activity around the Basin or a combination of both. Families can organise their days according to their interests and pace: a tour of the Water Lanes and the buildings, followed by watching the water or spending longer observing the passing narrowboats.

For other places in the surrounding area, you can then discover Winthorpe, Woodborough, West Bridgford, Misterton, Worksop, Southwell, Newark-On-Trent and Mansfield.

For the overarching travel overview: Nottinghamshire.