;)
As the boat rises in the lock, one is confronted with a panorama of nearly twenty huge warehouses, largely restored for modern useage. The warehouses were mainly constructed during the middle nineteenth century.
Immediately to the west of the lock is the former Gopsill Brown's sack warehouse, now an antique centre (shortly to be converted to flats). The western part of the dock basin has new flats built on it, with moorings on the West Quay before the two dry docks. Close to here, water is pumped from the nearby river into the basin to maintain levels in the canal and to ultimately feed the waterworks at the far end of the canal.
The moorings in the dock are extensive, with a fairly rigorously enforced 48 hour limit. Areas which cannot be used for mooring are from the dry docks to just before the Llanthony lift bridge (there are a couple of moorings immediately before the bridge on the West), on the quays which form part of the Waterways Museum (the corner to the Northeast of the lift bridge), and in the entrance arm to Victoria Basin (used by trip boats). Victoria Basin is reserved for permanent moorings. There is a water point on the corner of the Barge Arm opposite the Waterways Museum (as well as a mooring for disabled boaters in the Arm). Despite the pubs bordering the docks, and the city centre location, moorings are safe and there are regular security patrols. They are remarkably quiet at night (apart from the seagulls).
In March 2003, new pontoon moorings were installed in the docks. The pontoons run from just outside the lock, along the North Quay and then along Merchants' Quay. Seven short finger pontoons extend out from the latter, giving mooring for up to fourteen narrow beam boats. Note that for longer boats a centre line is essential to tie up here. Entry to the finger pontoons can be interesting in the strong winds which eddy around the docks!
;)
;)
The docks and nearby parts of Gloucester are well worth exploring on foot. On the Eastern side of the main basin (Merchants' Quay), parts of Kimberley warehouse have been converted to a pub, Dr Fosters, which serves a couple of real ales and restaurant (the food is quite good here). The glass entrance hall is a pleasant place to enjoy a coffee. The shops inside the building, and the pizza restaurant, closed in 2006 and are being redeveloped.
On the south side of the Victoria Arm, a new steel structure of quite extraordinary ugliness houses a new Asian restaurant, Vinings. It is destined to be known as Mr Rusty's. It serves an all-you-can eat buffet, and is quite good value.
Cross the bridge to the South of Merchants' Quay and on the left is the Albert warehouse. Until recently this housed the Opie collection of Advertising and Packaging, and was well worth a visit. Unfortunately, it is currently shut down. The delightful Mariner's Church faces the Albert Warehouse. Further South, beyond the Barge Arm, is the National Waterways Museum. This is an essential stopping place. The entrance ticket can be extended to include a trip along the canal beyond Hempstead on Queen Boadicea II. The Museum has a small collection of historic boats moored outside, and the car park includes remains of the railway yards which at one time served the docks. There is a (usually not very clean) public toilet just outside the Museum. The museum cafe is good, and does a traditional breakfast for a reasonable fee. The Tall Ship pub close to the eastern road entrance serves nice food at very reasonable prices, with a speciality of fish, and Wadworth's beer.
The new, hideous flats (the ones that look like the worst of '60s municipal architecture) beyond the Barge Arm include a cash dispenser and a well-stocked convenience store, open to around 2100.
To visit Gloucester City, the exit just to the East of the North Warehouse (near the lock) is recommended. Cross the road at the pedestrian crossing, and follow the alleyway almost opposite past a private car park. On the left is Gloucester Prison, followed by the ugly Police HQ. Cross another road (a branch of Gloucester Museum is on the corner and houses some interesting vehicles) and pass to the right of the attractive, polygonal court house. Berkeley Street leads quickly to Westgate Street, part of the main shopping centre. On the right-hand side of Berkeley Street is the Fountain Inn, with a pleasant courtyard and well-served beer.
Opposite the end of Berkeley Street is the entrance road to Gloucester Cathedral. This is a most fine building, with frequent concerts (especially when it is Gloucester's turn to host the Three Choirs festival).
The bulk of the shopping centre can be found by turning right into Westgate Street. The alleyway just beyond the Cathedral houses the Beatrix Potter Tailor of Gloucester shop, which is cute or unspeakable depending on your attitude. There is a shop selling an extraordinary range of bottled beers in the same alley. Most of the shops in Gloucester centre can be found in any other town. There is a large Debenhams and a small Sainsburys in Northgate Street, and the covered market behind Woolworths in Eastgate Street is good for veg., and especially fish at Mr Rigby's stall. Beyond Eastgate Street, the Barton Street area has a reputation as a good place to find drugs and prostitutes. There is a newly redeveloped leisure centre with swimming pool a little further along Eastgate Street ("GL1"), with some vile yoof drinking establishments on what is known as "Slapper Alley".
A little way along Southgate Street, down an alleyway opposite the New County Hotel, is Café René. This is a rather good pub, with nice food, a good range of beers and ciders and frequent live music (including a Goth night last Friday of the month).
Exiting the docks by the south or east entrance and continuing south along Bristol Road for around 400 m leads quickly to the Peel Centre (soon to be served by the new St Ann's lift bridge). This includes some large stores and a multi-screen cinema (beware the sticky floors!). There is also a branch of "Angel Chef", a rather excellent and extremely cheap all-you-can-eat Chinese (and other Asian influences) restaurant. Look out for the bargains to be had at lunchtime, especially for pensioners.