What's the story here?

Royal Clarence Marina is situated on the western side of Portsmouth Harbour, on the Gosport peninsula, directly opposite the City of Portsmouth. It is managed by the Aquavista group, which provides reciprocal berthing arrangements for members. Located roughly a mile inside the harbour entrance, the marina is conveniently close to the centre of Gosport Town. With the advantage of a protective islet and surrounding drying area, it offers some of the most sheltered berths in the harbour.




Royal Clarence Marina has 154 deep-water berths and welcomes visitors, although availability varies. It can accommodate all types of vessels with drafts of up to 4.5 metres and 60 metres LOA at all tide levels. The marina also features several heavy-duty berths on B & C pontoons, suitable for superyachts with drafts of up to 5.25 metres.

Daily Visitor Berthing [2025] (Excluding electricity):

• • Summer (per meter per night): £3.79


• • Winter (per meter per night): £2.70


• • Short Stay (up to 4 hours): £16.22

Visitor berths must typically be vacated by noon on the day of departure. Electricity per night £5. All prices are inclusive of VAT.





It is preferable but not essential to contact the marina 24 hours in advance via Ch. 80 [Royal Clarence Marina], +44 (0)23 9252 3523, royalclarence@aquavista.com or via the marina's web form . However, the marina will most likely always accommodate a vessel, so it is advisable to contact them for short-notice requests.

How to get in?

Coastal guidance, tidal guides, waypoints, and pilotage are available in Navigating Portsmouth Harbour . The Eastern Approaches to the Solent covers southern approaches, while inshore east/west approach guidance can be found in Southampton Water to Chichester Harbour . Continue up the harbour from the head of the Boat Channel, at the Ballast Bank mark, for almost ½ a mile passing the entrance to Gosport Marina. Follow the outside line of the large Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty, often referred to as the MOD fuelling jetty, on the west or port side to pass Burrow Island to your starboard side.




Burrow Island is surrounded by Weevil Lake, which is composed of mud and stones. It extends nearly 200 metres towards Portsmouth Dockyard and the same distance southward. Unlit green piles mark the extremity of the drying area of Weevil Lake. Burrow Island and the surrounding Weevil Lake drying area provide the marina with some of the most sheltered waters in the harbour.




The approach is located between Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty and a series of unlit green piles about 100 metres north of the jetty, which mark the southern drying boundary of Weevil Lake. It is essential to stay on the jetty side of middle and keep a wide clearance from the green starboard piles off Burrow Island near Weevil Lake. The mud extends well beyond the piles, especially at low tide. At night, the ambient light from Gosport Oil Fuel Jetty makes the marina approach path easy to recognise.




A large sign marks the entrance to the marina, and the main channel runs adjacent to the end of A pontoon, so stay close to the pontoon when arriving and departing.




Berth as instructed by the marina office. The marina is very well protected from almost all wind directions due to the tall buildings surrounding it, so expect minimal wind, tidal flow, or swell when coming alongside. The berths are mainly stern-to or side-to-side.

Why visit here?

Royal Clarence Marina derives its name from Royal Clarence Yard, established here in 1831. The yard was named after the Duke of Clarence, a title traditionally given to junior members of the British Royal family. It also took the form of an earldom for Queen Victoria's son, Prince Leopold, Duke of Albany, and his son, Prince Charles Edward. The Earldom of Clarence was a subsidiary title.




The yard was initially known as the Weevil Yard in the 18th century, when it housed a cooperage and a brewery. It was one among many scattered facilities in the towns of Gosport and Portsmouth that supplied the fleet at the time. Between 1828 and 1832, the yard underwent significant expansion, with the addition of a slaughterhouse and bakery, enabling it to become one of three victualing yards for the Royal Navy. Renamed the Royal Clarence Victualing Yard, it supplied the fleet with fresh water, processed and packaged meat, cheese, butter, biscuits, dried fish, 'Jolly Jack Tar' rum, chocolate, and tobacco. Clothing and footwear were also parcelled out and distributed to the ships from here. The yard operated for over 100 years and became the Navy's main larder.




The royal connection was established in the late 1840s when Osborne House was renovated near Cowes on the Isle of Wight; see the Osborne Bay entry. Queen Victoria personally chose the yard as a convenient access point to her beloved house. She had a royal railway station built within the yard, allowing her to travel to the mainline station in Gosport and then directly to the yard, just a few steps from her Royal Yacht to reach the island. To facilitate this, the ramparts were opened, and a 500-metre extension was laid into the Royal Clarence Yard, where a Royal Station was built. The station had a single curved platform on one side, bordered by a long wall. Although there was a waiting room for royal travellers, it is said that Queen Victoria, who would have passed through here countless times, never used it. When she did use the station, a carpet was laid between the train and the Royal Yacht.




The yard reached its peak during World War II, supplying food and provisions to ships based in Portsmouth Harbour, the Solent, and nearby areas involved in Operation Overlord. In 1944, the Royal Clarence Yard also supplied thousands of troops anchored at Spithead, awaiting the go-ahead for D-Day. Catering to the Allied invasion fleet and its numerous personnel and ship requirements was an extraordinary task. Locals at the time recalled the invasion fleet being packed into Spithead so tightly that you could practically walk from deck to deck to reach the Isle of Wight. During this period, three 10,000-gallon tanks were used to deliver fresh water to the invasion fleet. Every week, 400 tons of potatoes, 100 tons of meat, and 50 tons of fresh vegetables were shipped from the yard. The bakery alone produced and packaged 33,000 lbs of bread weekly and, at its peak, could produce 10,000 ship's biscuits an hour, making it the largest bakery in England, if not the world. The yard also participated in victualling operations during the Falklands conflict in 1982.




During World War II, however, the yard suffered damage, and the removal of modern storage buildings created gaps in the historic layout, resulting in underutilised and undefined spaces. Falling into decline, it was finally sold by the Ministry of Defence to Berkeley Homes for development in 1991. Berkeley Homes added exclusive homes and the marina, and aimed to establish a lively hub of restaurants, bars, and leisure facilities that would mirror those of Gunwharf Quays opposite.




Today, Royal Clarence Yard is one of only two remaining royal yards in the country - the other being Royal William Yard in Plymouth, Devon. The site is situated adjacent to a Site of Special Scientific Interest and encompasses two Conservation Areas, featuring 18 Grade II and II* listed buildings, as well as Scheduled Monuments. Key buildings still present include the Cooperage, Granary, Bakery with its ovens, oak beams, and cast iron columns, the Slaughterhouse, Hydraulic Engine House, Artificer's Workshops, Ceremonial Gateway, Superintendent's Houses, Reservoir, Barracks, and Guard House. The slaughterhouse and ornamental gates remain, and Brewhouse Square, Cooperage Green, and Flagstaff Green reflect the historic past. Queen Victoria's extension line from Gosport Station, which runs through the town ramparts to Weevil Lane, is currently being restored, with a new track being laid along this short section. Overall, the area is now primarily residential with a mix of maritime-based businesses.



From a boating perspective, the historic yard gives the marina a unique and authentic character. However, there are many other attractions to this marina. Just as it once served the naval yards opposite, today it is close to three of Gosport's supermarkets. All are within a five-minute walk, ensuring convenience for boaters in need of supplies.




The sheltered Weevil Lake and Burrow Island offer Royal Clarence Marina some of the most protected berths in the harbour, with little tidal flow in the deep naval basin to contend with. It is also a peaceful berth, as shore developments never fully materialised, unlike the nearby Gunwharf Quay, providing a quiet retreat. Additionally, the venues of Gosport and the ferry to Old Portsmouth are all within a ten-minute walk.

What facilities are available?

All pontoon berths provide fresh water and electricity, though visitors need to request a connection at the Marina Office. The marina offers specialised facilities for larger boats, including a heavy-duty pontoon with a higher freeboard and a 3-phase 125-amp power supply. Wi-Fi is available throughout the marina, and access can be granted via the marina office. The shower and toilet facilities are located a short walk back from the pontoons towards Cooperage Green and are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for berth holders and visitors. The launderette facilities are also open 24 hours and include a washing machine and dryer. Waste recycling is available at the marina.

The area boasts a wide range of marine trades, sail lofts, chandlers, repair and maintenance services, and marine engineers, although there is no boatyard. Gosport High Street is just five minutes away, with three supermarkets, shops, and banks all within a five-minute walk. The Gosport Ferry provides quick access to Portsmouth Harbour railway station, the terminus of the Portsmouth Direct Line to London. A ferry service operates between Gosport and the mainland every 15 minutes.

Any security concerns?

Pontoon and bridgehead access is restricted and only available to guests through a secure electronic gate. The marina area has CCTV camera coverage.

With thanks to:

Rob Jezard, Royal Clarence Marina Manager.