Hermitage Moorings

Hermitage Community Moorings (HCM) is a co-operative which built, owns, and operates a mooring on the Thames in Wapping next to the Memorial Gardens that overlook the river, next to what used to be known as Hermitage Wharf. The mooring provides berths for up to 23 vessels: enabling a mixture of historic live-aboard barges, and visitor vessel use. HCM provides well-managed river access for local people, including educational and recreational facilities. HCM was created by a small, dedicated community over the course of about 6 years and is the first development of its kind on the Thames for more than a generation. The co-operative members entirely self-funded the planning, design, management, construction, installation, and operation of the harbour. The infrastructure is designed to create a small, close-knit community of people committed to boat use and the preservation of historic craft. Part of its ambition is to ensure traditional river craft (e.g. sailing barges, tugs and motor craft) remain part of the Wapping landscape for future generations – and to create a local landmark that promotes Wapping’s historic links with the river.