GULL'S EYE GUIDE TO BRIXHAM
January
2006
©
It's easy to see why Brixham is a favourite holiday
destination for both waterborne and land based visitors. The harbour is located 1 mile west of Berry
Head, which is a prominent sloping headland at the southern tip of
Brixham harbour
is very well organised in a way that allows the commercial fishermen to get on
with their business while leisure sailors enjoy all the delights on offer, with
no conflict of interest.
Deputy Harbour
Master, Dave Bartlett said "We love to welcome visiting yachts. They never give us any problems and their
presence here can only add to the happy atmosphere and prosperity of
Brixham."
Easy access
There's safe and
clear access to the harbour in all weathers and tidal states, although entry
can be a bit tricky in strong northerly winds.
The 500 berth MDL marina sits in the south
eastern corner, to port as you enter, with its entrance opposite the small inner fishing harbour, which
dries. Full facilities are on hand at
the marina, including a well stocked chandlery and bar/restaurant. There are yacht moorings available on each
side of the fairway and anchoring is possible, but be
sure to stay well clear of the fairway which is provided for the commercial
fishing vessels.
Variety and
interest
The harbour is the central feature of Brixham and the largely
Victorian town is built on the surrounding hills. There is always something interesting
happening. You can watch the fishermen
as they work their boats or mend their nets, and there are usually artists
capturing the scene on canvas. The town
itself is remarkably picturesque and full of interesting shops, pubs and
restaurants. Should you fancy a
delicious meal on board, there's locally caught fresh fish available, sold
direct from stalls on the quay.
A replica of Sir Francis Drake's ship, the Golden Hind, is moored
at the quay, and visitors are welcome on board to gain a fascinating insight
into life on board ship in the 16th century.
There's a prominent statue of Prince William of
The 10 year old RNLI Torbay lifeboat station stands next
to the Breakwater slipway. The lifeboat crew use a tender to reach
the lifeboat which is permanently kept on a swinging mooring in the fairway
between Brixham Marina and the Breakwater.
Brixham also gives you immediate access to the holiday playground
of the whole
Brixham fact file
Busy , vibrant and colourful – Brixham's
a great place to sample the unique atmosphere of a Devonshire
fishing port.
The Harbour
Harbour Master Capt. Paul
Labistour
Deputy Harbour Master
Dave Bartlett
'
01803 853321/851854 (Emergency
or out of hours - ' 01803
550405)
Opening
Hours: 0900 - 1700 (Weekdays); 1000 - 1300 (Weekends)
Cranage The Brixham Harbour Crane is situated on Middle Pier
and has a safe working load of 4 Tonnes maximum. To book a crane lift, telephone the
harbour office on 01803 853321. Boat Lift (minimum charge £ 51.75) £ 6.67 per metre.
Brixham Marina (MDL)
Communications ' 01803 882929 or 07740
806034
VHF Ch 80.
The 500 berth Brixham Marina lies in a very
sheltered position in the SE corner behind the Victoria Breakwater. There's safe and easy access in all weathers
and tidal states, through the
FACILITIES
Full facilities are on hand, including a well
stocked chandlery and bar/restaurant, launderette,
trolleys, Calor & camping gas, waste oil disposal.
Fuel (Diesel), at end of C Pontoon, by the entrance.
Drinking Water,
available at each berth.
Shops and restaurants in Town
Centre nearby.
Showers and
Toilets in amenity building, by landing point. (Note: The use of
on-board marine toilets is forbidden, by local bye-law).
Brixham Yacht Club
Overgang, Brixham,
Admiral: Ralph Bowles.
Commodore:
Brixham Yacht Club overlooks the
harbour and the clubroom, which was formerly a sail-loft, provides panoramic views across
The Club is accessible at all times, offering visiting
yachtsmen the facilities of two mooring pontoons, hot showers, an excellent
restaurant and even a limited ferry shuttle service. Visiting sailors are
welcome at the Club bar and restaurant.
The very informative Club
website, www.brixhamyachtclub.com
is designed and maintained by member,
Local Services
Chandlers Brixham Yacht Supplies Ltd. 72,
Masts, Spars, Rigging Atlantic Spars Ltd., Hatton
House, Bridge Road, Churston Ferrers, Brixham ' 01803
843322
Engine Repairs Bowles CF,
Outboard Motors Austin Marine Services, Unit 6, Brixham Enterprise
Estate,
Marine Electrics BC Electrical, Kelvin
Court,
Marine Electronics CCS Marine Electronics,
' 01803
883444
Hospital Brixham Hospital '
Doctor Dr R Montgomery ' 01803 852731 17 New Rd,
Brixham.
Dr P J Avery '
Dentist P
G Mason '
Police '
0990 777444.
Vet ' 01803 853060
Banks/Cashpoint NatWest '
Lloyds TSB Bank PLC ' 0845-300
0000.
Post Office ' 01803 852808.
Sailmaker Westaway
Sails '
01752 892560
St Mary's Post
Office
' 01803
856665.
Chemist Boots The Chemists ' 01803
882101. 11A
Quay Pharmacy ' 01803
883933. Compass House Medical Centre,
Launderette In
Tourist Information Centre The
Old Market House, The Quay ' 01803
852861
Taxi
' 01803
853000, 01803 883883.
Airport (
Buses Stagecoach
information ' 01803
664500 or 0870 608 2 608
Ferries Frequent Ferries
to and from Torquay, Paignton and
Paignton Pleasure Cruises ' Tel: 01803
529147, or 07768 014174.
Western Lady Ferry (Torquay/Brixham) ' Tel: 01803
85204.
Car Hire Hertz
Rent A Car ' 01803 294786. Seafront
Chief Vehicle Rentals Ltd. ' 01803 520494,
Where to eat and drink
Licensed
Restaurants & Cafes
There's a vast selection of
eating places in and around Brixham and a full list is available from the
Tourist Information Centre, ' 01803 852861, but here are
a few ideas:
Quayside
Hotel Restaurant ' 01803
855751- Excellent a la carte menu with daily specials. Fresh local fish.
Berry
Head Hotel ' 01803
853225. Bar meals and restaurant, overlooking the bay.
Breakwater Bistro & Art Gallery Berry Head Road
On
Balti Nights 77a
Brixham Yacht Club offers excellent value. Good food, a warm welcome
and panoramic views of the harbour and beyond. ' 01803 853332
Spinnakers overlooks the harbour from a
terrace above the marina ' 01803
852121
Fishcombe Cove Café (Daytime & Fri, Sat, Sun.
evenings) Good value. On
the beach. Take your own wine! (50p cover charge per person)
' 07837 475614.
Public Houses
Bell Inn,
Blue Anchor,
Crown & Anchor, The Quay, ' 01803
853570
Globe,
Hole in the Wall,
Rising Sun, The Quay, ' 01803
853236
Skipper Inn,
Sprat & Mackerel Inn, 24 The
Quay, ' 01803 882649
Trawler,
Watermans Arms Inn,
Things to see and do
Visit the 'Golden Hind' which is open every day
of the week, from 9am to
Brixham Market
Open air market each Sunday at the Harbourside
Scuba Diving
Breakwater beach a popular venue for scuba diving. You will need your own equipment or hire it
from dive shops outside of Brixham, (i.e. Paignton or Torquay).
"Round Robin" Tours including
steam train, ferry and bus trips. Circular tours around the whole
Local Beaches:
Breakwater Beach is just around the harbour, the
other side of the breakwater - this is a pebbly beach, ideal shallow paddling
for the kids.
There's a smaller beach and cove at Fishcombe, this
has to be reached on foot.
Shoalstone - this is situated just beyond
breakwater beach, with salt-water outdoor swimming pool, right by the edge of
the sea , with free access.
Mansands beach, is accessed from Higher Brixham and there is
a picturesque cove at Scabbacombe beach,
which is partly nudist!
Pull-out Harbour Guide
Brixham
Harbour Entrance position: 50 24’.32 N ;
03 30’.85 W
HW Brixham is at HW Dover –0505
Approaches & Entrance
Easily located from Berry Head, at the southern tip of
Take care as you approach the end of the Brixham breakwater
as large beam trawlers can suddenly appear from behind it. On entering the harbour keep to the starboard
side of the 75m wide fairway, which is marked by port and starboard hand buoys right up to the
At night, having cleared Berry Head (Gp Fl (2) 15s, 18M),
steer for the main breakwater light (Oc R. 15s, 6M), leaving it to port. As the harbour opens up, enter and stay in
the white sector of a Dir Iso (WRG 5s, 6M) light at the southern side of the
harbour fairway. It is clearly
identified by a quick flashing light immediately above it to avoid confusion with
the lights of the town. This will keep you in the fairway. The
Moorings
On arrival all vessels should contact "
Town Pontoon
Limited berthing alongside the Town pontoon is
available all year round. Follow the main fairway, keeping the
Brixham Marina (MDL)
' 01803 882929 or 07740 806034 VHF Ch 80.
The 500 berth Brixham Marina lies in a very
sheltered position in the SE corner behind the Victoria Breakwater. There's safe and easy access in all weathers
and tidal states, through the
Anchoring
Anchoring is prohibited in the fairway. In fact, the only acceptable place to drop
your anchor within the busy harbour is to seaward of the moorings, on the west
side of the harbour. Here you will be
sheltered in all but northerly winds, when an uncomfortable ground swell runs
in. The bottom is foul in places so a trip line is essential.
Anchoring is also prohibited in the fairway
along the inside of Victoria Breakwater, which must be kept clear at all times
for the lifeboat. In southerly and
westerly weather a good alternative anchorage can be found in Fishcombe Cove
just west of the harbour. Though less
convenient for the town, it is sheltered and peaceful, and has the added
benefit of being free of charge!
Communications & Port Information
Harbour Master Capt. Paul
Labistour
Deputy Harbour Master
Dave Bartlett
'
01803 853321/851854 (Emergency
or out of hours - ' 01803
550405)
Opening
Hours: 0900 - 1700 (Weekdays); 1000 - 1300 (Weekends) VHF Radio Ch 14
www.torbay-harbour.co.uk
Opening Hours: 0900 - 1700 (Weekdays); 1000 - 1300
(Weekends)
Charts Imray C5, Admiralty SC2253
Tides High Water
Pilot Book Imray Shell Channel pilot 058B
Coastguard
Brixham - ' 01803 882704 VHF Channel 16
Quotes from Deputy Harbour Master and local
sailors:
"We love to welcome
visiting yachts. They add to the happy
atmosphere and prosperity of Brixham."
- Deputy Harbour Master, Dave Bartlett
"Brixham is one of finest sailing locations
along
- Brixham Y.C. members,
©