The Wash

Introduction

This area extend beyond The Wash itself, from north of Mablethorpe in the north to Brancaster Bay (east of Hunstanton) in the east.

The coastline here consists of long sandy beaches, with offshore wind farms. The Wash itself has large areas of drying sandbanks and areas where the tide flows swiftly. The crossing of The Wash is a significant open crossing.

Times of high water

Tidal streams

Off Skegness: The south going stream begins at 5 hours and 40 minutes before high water at Immingham. The north going stream begins at 45 minutes after high water at Immingham. The flow reaches a speed of 2 knots at springs.

Mouth of The Wash: The north-east going stream begins at 1 hours and 10 minutes after high water at Immingham. The south-west going stream begins at 5 hours before high water at Immingham. The north-east going stream reaches a speed of 2 knots at springs. The south-west going stream reaches a speed of 2.2 knots at springs. Anyone crossing the Wash will want to refer to tidal diamonds on the chart.

Boston Deeps off Wainfleet Sand: The north-east going stream begins at 15 minutes after high water at Immingham. The south-west going stream begins at 6 hours before high water at Immingham. The north-east going stream reaches a speed of 2.6 knots at springs. The south-west going stream reaches a speed of 2.4 knots at springs.

Boston Deep off Friskney Flats: The north north-east going stream begins at 25 minutes after high water at Immingham. The south south-west going stream begins at 5 hours and 40 minutes before high water at Immingham. The north north-east going stream reaches a speed of 2.2 knots at springs. The south south-west going stream reaches a speed of 2.5 knots at springs.

Off Butterwick Low: The north-east going stream begins at 50 minutes after high water at Immingham. The south-west going stream begins at 5 hours before high water at Immingham. The flow reaches a speed of 2 knots at springs.

New Cut, channel leading to Boston: The east going stream begins at 1 hours after high water at Immingham. The west going stream begins at 4 hours and 30 minutes before high water at Immingham. The flow reaches a speed of 4 knots at springs.

Boston Haven: The east going stream begins at 1 hours and 15 minutes after high water at Immingham. The west going stream begins at 3 hours before high water at Immingham. The flow reaches a speed of 4 knots at springs.

River Welland, Fosdyke Wash: The north-east going stream begins at 1 hours after high water at Immingham. The south-west going stream begins at 3 hours and 45 minutes before high water at Immingham.

Old Lynn Channel: The south going stream begins at 4 hours and 45 minutes before high water at Immingham. The north going stream begins at 1 hours and 10 minutes after high water at Immingham. The south going stream reaches a speed of 2.3 knots at springs. The north going stream reaches a speed of 2 knots at springs.

Wisbech Channel, approach to River Nene: The north going stream begins at 1 hours and 30 minutes after high water at Immingham. The south going stream begins at 4 hours before high water at Immingham.

River Nene, Wisbech Cut at Sutton Bridge: The north north-east going stream begins at 2 hours after high water at Immingham. The south south-west going stream begins at 2 hours before high water at Immingham.

River Nene at Wisbech: The north going stream begins at 2 hours and 30 minutes after high water at Immingham. The south going stream begins at 30 minutes before high water at Immingham.

River Great Ouse at King's Lynn: The south south-east going stream begins at 3 hours before high water at Immingham. The north north-west going stream begins at 1 hours and 30 minutes after high water at Immingham.

Off Shepherd's Port, Snettisham: The north going stream begins at 40 minutes after high water at Immingham. The south going stream begins at 5 hours and 15 minutes before high water at Immingham. The north going stream reaches a speed of 1.5 knots at springs. The south going stream reaches a speed of 1.8 knots at springs.

Off Hunstanton: The north north-east going stream begins at 15 minutes before high water at Immingham. The south south-west going stream begins at 5 hours and 40 minutes after high water at Immingham. The north north-east going stream reaches a speed of 2 knots at springs. The south south-west going stream reaches a speed of 1.6 knots at springs.

Notes

Access/Egress

Mablethorpe Sea View: (TF 505 860) g Large pay and display car park by the beach.

Mablethorpe Queens Park: (TF 513 844) g Large pay and display car park 100m carry from the beach.

Sutton on Sea: (TF 522 822) g Car park a short walk from the beach. Alternative car park 200 m on Broadway

Sandilands South: (TF 530 804) g Parking near the public toilets, a short carry from the beach.

Huttoft Beach: (TF 541 786) g Parking on the beach.

Moggs Eye Beach: (TF 546 776) g Small car park, with additional parking nearby close to the beach.

Anderby Creek: (TF 552 761) g Car park 100m from the beach.

Wolla Bank: (TF 556 750) g Small car park with height barrier 50 m from the beach.

Chapel Six Marshes: (TF 559 742) g Car park close to the beach.

Chapel Point: (TF 562 733) g Car park 80 m carry from the beach.

Lakeside Leisure park: (TF 569 704) g Paid car park by the beach

Addlethorpe: (TF 571 697) g Car park with height barrier 100m from a slipway onto the beach.

Ingoldmells Beach: (TF 573 667) g Large car park 150m from the beach, may be possible to drop boats closer.

Winthorpe: (TF 573 658) g Limited parking by the beach, roadside parking nearby.

Skegness North Shore Road: (TF 572 646) g Small parking area 80 m from the beach.

Skegness North End: (TF 572 640) g Large car park by the beach

Skegness Tower Esplanade: (TF 571 630) g Large car park, with height barrier, by the beach. The car park at North End may be less busy and easier.

King's Lynn Ferry Street: (TF 615 204) g Large pay and display car park by slipway. Not usable at low water.

Snettisham Beach: (TF 647 335) g Large car park by the beach. Long walk at low tide.

Heacham North Beach: (TF 664 377) g Car park with height restrictor (some bays outside for taller vehicles) near the beach. It will be a long walk to the sea at low water.

Old Hunstanton: (TF 682 426) g Beach car park, busy in summer, 150m from the beach. The tide goes out a long way here - better to launch near high water.

Thornham: (TF 728 443) g Small car park, with other possibilities nearby. Muddy banks down to a channel that dries at low water. Clearly best to be here at high water.

Suggested trips

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