What's the story here?

WicorMarine Yacht Haven is situated in the northwest part of Portsmouth Harbour, about 3½ miles above its entrance and at the head of Fareham Lake. It is a traditional boatyard tucked into the peaceful, rural northern reaches of Portsmouth Harbour near Portchester, that provides a range of yacht services, with walk-ashore pontoons and swing moorings in front.




WicorMarine Yacht Haven has an approach depth of over 3 meters at MLWS (Mean Low Water Springs) and a berth depth of 2.2 meters at MLWS, which provides good access in most tidal states. It can accommodate yachts of up to 20 metres LOA in depths of up to 3.5 metres. It holds a 16-metre pontoon as a designated visitor berth, and will also happily accept visitors in any other vacant spaces on the mid-river walk-ashore pontoons. In 2019, these were connected to the shore via a jetty - our photos predate this extension. The landing stage has also been removed, and launching is from the new walk-ashore link called 'the Causeway'.

It is advisable to make berthing arrangements in advance by contacting the marina, Monday - Sunday 09:00 – 17:00, +44 (0) 1329 237112, inbox@wicormarine.co.uk or Ch. 80 [WicorMarine Yacht Haven].

How to get in?

Use Navigating Portsmouth Harbour for entry, Eastern Approaches to the Solent for southern approaches, and Southampton Water to Chichester Harbour for inshore east/west guidance. Peewit Island, marked with a tripod on the starboard side, and Bedenham Pier, with its conspicuous cranes on the port side, are the landmarks signalling that you are approaching WicorMarine.




WicorMarine Yacht Haven's downstream swinging moorings are situated west of Peewit Island and on the starboard side of the main channel between green fairway piles 47 and 48. Additional downstream swing moorings are located on the opposite, western or port side of the channel, between red fairway piles 25 and 26. The main area of mid-river pontoons and moorings is approximately 150 metres upriver of Bedenham Pier. The various pontoons are colour-coded, and the individual berths are numbered.




You will be allocated a specific berth by the WicorMarine berthing master.



Access to the mid-river pontoons is via the dinghy dock, which is located behind and accessible from the southernmost and eastern white pontoon. The landing stage should be kept clear at all times and is only to be used for launching and recovering dinghies. It should not be used for coming alongside; please utilise the main dinghy pontoon instead.



The walk from your boat to the marina facilities (showers, office) is longer than at most marinas. It's a pleasant walk along the causeway past moored boats, then boatyards and gardens, but be prepared for a 3-5 minute stroll, and bring a bag for your gear if it's raining.

Why visit here?

WicorMarine Yacht Haven takes its name from the small village of Wicor, situated a ten-minute walk inshore. Wicor, first recorded around 1400 as 'Wikoure', is known to be an old name derived from the combination of two ancient words, 'wīc' plus 'ōra'.




The Old English or Saxon element 'wīc' comes from the Latin 'vicus', meaning a trading settlement, emporium, or specialised farm. It referred to places where trade or production of certain goods was concentrated, rather than just a typical village or farm. These 'wīc' were usually coastal or riverside settlements serving as commercial hubs where people came to sell produce or buy goods. The other Old English element 'ōra', sometimes written 'ora' or 'ore', further defined this meaning as shoreline or bank, especially in place names. Examples of 'ora' place-names include Rowner (near Gosport), Copnor (now a district of Portsmouth), Itchenor (near Chichester Harbour), and Wickor Point (on Thorney Island). Therefore, Wicor was a historic trading site ('wīc') outside the walls of Portchester Castle, located on the shore ('ōra'). Trading did not occur within the fort itself; the name indicates the usual external commercial site, not just for this fort but for the defensive structures on this point extending back to ancient times.




Today, Wicor is no longer the bustling trading emporium it once was, but rather an unexpected haven of tranquillity within the busy expanse of Portsmouth Harbour. Nestled in a green and largely undeveloped stretch of coastal plain between Fareham and Portchester, it forms part of a quieter, more natural section of the harbour—less urbanised and more in tune with its original landscape. The name "Wicor" has likely endured thanks to the area's relative seclusion and its continued association with local geography, rather than any ties to major administrative centres.




Framed by the urban edges of Downend and Portchester, this pocket of coastal greenery includes the expansive parkland and woodlands of the Cams Hall Estate, scattered patches of farmland and undeveloped private land, open amenity spaces, fringe pasture, and a touch of coastal industry to the east. Together with the estuarine banks at Fareham, this is the last remaining portion of Portsmouth Harbour that has escaped development. Here alone, the natural setting of wooded slopes and open grassland—once typical of the entire harbour—can still be seen and appreciated.




It is also an area that can be easily enjoyed. This entire area, including the golf course at Cams Hall, the Wicor Recreation Ground, and various other accessible open spaces, is linked by footpaths that run along the coastline. Wicor Marine Yacht Haven and its convenient SALT Café are ideally situated about halfway along a walk from Fareham to Portchester, which comprises two paths.




To the west, the mile-long Fareham Easy Access Trail surfaced pathway takes a walker into Fareham town centre, referred to Fareham Marina entry , around the Cams Hall golf course, and along the eastern side of Fareham Creek. To the east, the Alan King Way long-distance footpath, which runs through the middle of the area, leads to Portchester Castle, referred to in the Port Solent Marina entry .




With these interesting heritage features easily accessible at either end, WicorMarine Yacht Haven makes an ideal berth for coastal cruisers of any draft planning to visit both. Alternatively, it can be enjoyed for what it is, a charming, sheltered family-run haven of bygone sailing values and budget-conscious sailors. Previously known as Feltham's Boatyard, it was purchased by the family that runs it to this day in 1966.




This is a place where one can just as easily relax, enjoy the produce of the SALT Café, or have a BBQ in the dedicated picnic area on the foreshore beside the foot of the jetty. Set aside some time to take in the stunning views across Portsmouth Harbour to Portsdown Hill and breathe in the characteristic salty smells of the estuaries. It is seen as a more tranquil alternative to the busier, modern marinas in the area. Many long-term berth holders appreciate the "off-grid" feeling while still having facilities.

What facilities are available?

The pontoons have no power but are supplied with water. The toilet and shower block is situated beside the office and chandlery and is open 24 hours. Fresh water is available from blue hoses at each end of the jetty and at various points around the boatyard. Vessels can come alongside the Main Dinghy Pontoon at high water to fill a tank, but should not use the dinghy landing stage.




WicorMarine will fill fuel containers with red diesel at the slipway. Fuel cans, funnels, fuel maintenance products, and filters are available in the chandlery. They also stock Calor Gas and Camping Gaz in most sizes, but no other brands. Trolleys are provided for carrying gear to and from the Main Dinghy Pontoon and are stored at the foot of the jetty.

Council bins are available at the foot of the jetty for general rubbish, with a large tank beside them for waste oil and dirty diesel. WicorMarine Yacht Haven will dispose of any redundant 12V batteries left alongside. A scrubbing berth is available for DIY, drying out, and work below the waterline.

The site features a chandlery open seven days a week, offering a basic range of fittings, tools, painting consumables, rope, hose, and fastenings. Specialist parts and equipment can be ordered for those not in a hurry. They also stock some foodstuffs, confectionery, and soft drinks. WicorMarine Yacht Haven maintains a comprehensive list of contractors with public liability insurance who are permitted to work on owners' vessels in the boatyard. Sails and outboards requiring service or repair can be left in the chandlery for collection by prior arrangement with sail repair companies. ’The Paddle Club’ offers stand-up paddleboard and kayak hire.

SALT Café is open Tuesday to Friday from 9 am to 4 pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 9 am to 5 pm, serving excellent coffee, sandwiches, and cakes. The café is also licensed, allowing you to enjoy a beer or a glass of wine on the sun deck with fine views across the harbour. A dedicated picnic area is available all year round on the foreshore beside the foot of the jetty, complete with tables and BBQs. SALT also hosts frequent ‘Dining Room’ and pizza nights; details are published on their Facebook page.

Any security concerns?

Never an issue known to have occurred to yachts moored off WicorMarine.

With thanks to:

Michael Harpur S/Y Whistler.