Chester

Located on Tower Wharf, Chester, at the opposite end to popular dinking establishment, Telford's Wharehouse, is the grade 2 listed Taylors Boatyard. A curiosity, seen from the opposite bank of the Shropshire Union Canal. Beneath it's girdered canopy is a cornucopia of boats and boating bits and pieces. For some time now this complex of buildings has been up for lease and Britsh Waterways have decided to renovate the buildings using sympathetic materials where appropriate. The proposed work is to take place over the next few years. This follows an attempt in 2008 to preserve the boatyard.

It is fortunate that this boatyard will not suffer the fate of Castle Mill Boatyard in Jericho, Oxford . A 150 year old working yard that was closed to make way for apartments in 2008. Perhaps a sign of a different economic environment. The Oxford project has since collapsed after the developers went into administration.

The yard dates back to the 1840's and at it's height 200 people were employed on the site servicing the canal companies fleet. Between the 1950's and 70's the boatyard built a number of mahogany canal cruisers similar to Norfolk Broads boats of the period and all built to order. Until recently the boatyard was run by David Jones Boatbuilders.

see also

• Working Historic Canal boats at Tower Wharf

Click on any picture for a higher resolution slideshow

Link:

• British Waterways
• Taylor's Wooden Boats