Visitor Information

Welcome to Draycote Water Sailing Club!

We would like to welcome you to Draycote Water and hope you have a very enjoyable time sailing.

Below is all of the information you will need to ensure your event runs smoothly, from catering to accommodation, rigging to parking, and much more!

The information on this page can be downloaded as a PDF to send out to all attendees:

To help minimise the hassle for you, there are 2 key bits of information that you need to know:

1.Before any craft is sailed on Draycote Water, the competitor has to sign the Clean Boat Declaration –stating that your boat is clean and free from pollution and non-native invasive species. The best thing is to wash your boat before you arrive at the Club.

2.The visitors’ boat drop-off, rigging & launching area is to the west of our site and the parking to the east. For this reason, we suggest that you plan your arrival so that you are ready to drop off all you need with your boat at the rigging area to avoid lots of long walks between your car and boat.

Dogs

Dogs are not permitted on the Sailing Club site or around the reservoir, however they are allowed in the adjoining Country Park.

Arriving before the event

If you are arriving the day or evening before the event, you are welcome to use the water the afternoon before the event, if conditions permit and as guests of the Club.  It is imperative that you talk to the Club Manager or on-duty bosun before going afloat.

Unload your boat in the drop off areas usually marked ‘B’ and ‘D’ but please follow the signs.  This is an area for you to pull into while unhitching and unloading your boat. Do not park here any longer than necessary as it can get very congested. Your kit can be dropped off at the clubhouse on your way back to the car park and, please remember not to drive on any slipways.

Car Parking

After unhitching and unloading your boat, please drive your car back past the clubhouse and visitor centre, and park either in the main Pay & Display car park or in the Sailing Club car park at the bottom of the hill.  Competitors must NOT park anywhere else other than these car parks. Any visitor whose car is parked elsewhere will be liable to disqualification.

THE ACCESS ROAD MUST BE KEPT CLEAR AT ALL TIMES –EVEN WHEN UNLOADING OR PACKING UP YOUR BOAT.

Campervans

Campervans and caravans should be parked at the far end of the Sailing Club car park. Online pre-booking is essential.

There’s no electric hook up or toilet facilities there so you do need to be self-sufficient. Toilets are available at the Clubhouse during daytime opening hours, but the Clubhouse is locked overnight.

They must not be parked in the main pay & display car park or anywhere else on the site.  No tent camping is allowed on site.

Other Accommodation

The nearest hotels are The Draycote Hotel, Rugby Travelodge, Rugby Premier Inn, or The Dun Cow pub.

The nearest campsites are The Blue Lias pub and Grandborough Farm.

A web search will bring up more options and locations as well.

Event Schedule

For details of timing, please see your event’s Notice of Race. Registration will typically be in the upstairs lounge of the Clubhouse. Please ensure that you have registered, entered and paid before going afloat.

Safety

Your safety is paramount. Due to the nature of the foreshore, there may be some large stones in the water, please take care when launching and retrieving. The water is not open unless the orange flag is flying from the mast outside the clubhouse. Please speak to the bosun if you wish to sail outside the times of the competition. If you are requested to go ashore by the bosun or rescue staff please do so immediately, and please remember people’s safety is ALWAYS prioritised over boats or equipment.

Catering

The Wet Bar will be open during the course of the day, offering hot and cold drinks, snacks and hot meals. It may be necessary to pre-order lunches before going out on the water.

The Lounge Bar will usually be open late afternoon and evening and an evening meal may be available –see your event’s NOR. Wet gear and kit is not allowed in the upstairs Lounge, please use the Wet Bar at ground level.

Access to Site

The entrance gate is closed at night (times vary according to season). Once closed, you cannot gain access to the site but can exit by driving up to the right-hand side of the closed gate. If you are due to arrive after 6pm, please email office@draycotewater.co.uk for gate access codes. 

Accessibility

The Clubhouse is located approximately 100 yards from the Severn Trent Visitor Centre, just beyond the main visitor car park.

Pedestrian access to the Sailing Club passes in front of the Visitor Centre along a level tarmac path.

Vehicle access to the site is to the rear of the Visitor Centre and is barrier restricted with a buzzer/intercom system. There is a drop-off point close to the Clubhouse.

Sailing Club visitors can park in either the main Severn Trent pay & display car park, or in the Sailing Club’s car park which is the first one on the right-hand side as you enter the site and is signposted.

Five disabled parking bays (pay & display) are available near the Visitor Centre, as well as bays in the main Severn Trent car park.

Due to the hillside location of the Clubhouse, ground level access is restricted. Disabled toilets are available at ground level at the Visitor’s Centre. For sailors and visitors to Open Events who need additional support please contact the Club in advance of your visit via the Contact Us form at the top of this page.

Changing Facilities

At Draycote we have recently refurbished our changing rooms to keep them fresh and to help with safeguarding and separation.

Male

Room 1 (small room)

Adults only, 2 changing cubicles (with doors) and 6 showers (dividers, no doors). Benches, coat hooks and bag racks throughout

Room 2 (large room)

Mixed Adults & Juniors, 2 large rooms with combined 6 showers (dividers, no doors). Benches, coat hooks and bag racks throughout.

Female

1 set of 6 showers, Individual cubicles with doors

Room 1 (large room)

Adults Only, Benches, coat hooks and bag racks throughout.

Room 2 (large room)

Juniors Only, Benches, coat hooks and bag racks throughout.

Emergency Contact Info

Club Office, CV23 8AB, 01788 811153

Club Waterside Reception / Shop, 01788 814418

Club Manager’s Mobile, 07429 388961

Rugby Police Station, CV21 2DH, 01788 541111

St Cross Hospital, Barby Rd, Rugby, CV22 5PX, 01788 572831

University Hospital, Clifford Bridge Rd, Coventry, CV2 2DX, 024 76964000

Rangers Office, Draycote Water, 01788 811107

DWSC Child Welfare Officer –David Rowe, 01788 814418

Contact us

Please complete the form below and a member of staff will get back in touch with you.