Join us for few days of good company in a perfect setting.
Woodbridge and Waldringfield, Suffolk, 02-04 May 2026
The Wooden Boat Gathering 2026
The 2026 Gathering is being run in collaboration with the OGA’s River Deben Rally with both events being hosted by Woodbridge & Waldringfield Boatyards.
Come along for a weekend of talks from eminent speakers, boating on the beautiful River Deben, tours, and excellent opportunities to discuss and enjoy all things wooden boats and boatbuilding.
The Wooden Boat Gathering is organised by The Wooden Boat Trade Association.
Weekend Schedule
Friday - 1st of May
Arrive, launch, moor and set up camp
Those bringing boats must indicate so on the booking form so that launching and mooring allocation can be planned
Some basic camping pitches are available and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis via the booking form
There are hotels, B&B and AirBnB in Woodbridge and around the River Deben.
There are other campsites in the area at Low Farm and Newbourne Woodland. Low Farm alsohas 'Pods' and holiday cottages and Newbourne Woodland has Glamping lodges.
Saturday - 2nd of May
Everybody will meet in Woodbridge for a day of talks, tours and pizza.
Those sailing will set off from Waldringfield to Woodbridge Boatyard on the flooding tide where moorings and a ferry ashore will be available. For those who are already local or heading straight to Woodbridge, the John Gibbins Gallery in The Longshed, will be open from 10:00.
11:45 - 12:30 - Loïc Le Marchand - “My life with ‘Nyala’
Winner of the OGA’s 2025 photo competition and custodian since 2017 of the Woodbridge-built ‘Nyala’ (1933), Loïc is travelling from his and ‘Nyala’s home in Brittany to share stories of their adventures together.
12:30 - 14:00 - Tours of the Sutton Hoo Ship recreation and Lunch
Whilst groups rotate to tour the Ship, everyone will be free to mix and enjoy a fresh Woodyard pizza buffet will be available to graze.
Dietary requirements must be communicated in advance through the booking form
14:00 - 14:45 - Prof. Richard Birmingham - “A career that started here”
Richard trained at the International Boatbuilding Centre, Lowestoft, and then worked for Whisstock’s Boatyard, Woodbridge, when both were at the centre of wooden boatbuilding in Britain. Richard’s career since has seen him become the first Professor of Small Craft Design at Newcastle University, Head of the Marine School there (the largest in Europe), Founding Editor of the International Journal of Small Craft Technology and the President of the Royal Institute of Naval Architects (2018 - 2020). His ‘Boat Building Techniques’ (first published 1984) is considered a staple of many wooden boatbuilder’s bookshelf.
14:45 - Woodbridge Boatyard Tour / Sailing to Waldringfield
The tide will be ebbing and some will want to set sail back to Waldringfield. For those in less of a rush, tours of Woodbridge Boatyard’s workshops and ongoing projects will be given by the Boatyard team.
Evening - Bring-your-own-food BBQ at Waldringfield Boatyard
For those who prefer, next-door The Maybush is an excellent pub.
Sunday - 3rd of May
Boaters will enjoy a day afloat, most likely heading downriver to Ramsholt where a pint can be accompanied by a pub or picnic lunch.
Those without their own boats are invited to book (through the booking form) to come afloat and enjoy the river aboard Deben Cruises’ ‘Jahan’. ‘Jahan’ will offer a 2-hour cruise with commentary from Waldringfield Boatyard to Felixstowe Ferry and back.
Evening - Bring-your-own-food BBQ at Waldringfield Boatyard
For those who prefer, next-door The Maybush is an excellent pub.
Bank Holiday Monday - 4th of May
An opportunity for more sailing, perhaps taking in Martlesham Creek.
Participants can recover their boats and say their farewell as suits them.
What’s on?
Talks
We have eminent speakers offering a varied programme of talks on Saturday.
Tours
On Saturday, tours of the Sutton Hoo Ship replica build and Woodbridge Boatyard’s Workshops,
On Sunday, a 2-hour river trip with nature and history commentary.
Socialising
With BBQs and buffets, stimulating talks and all of the classic, traditional and wooden boats, we are sure of a fantastic weekend amongst friends.
Boating
Plentiful opportunities to enjoy exploring the beautiful River Deben even if you cannot bring your own boat.
Waldringfield, Woodbridge and the Deben
Waldringfield, Woodbridge and the River Deben form a picturesque, historic, and ecologically rich area in Suffolk, nestled within the Coasts and Heaths AONB.
Waldringfield is a tranquil, scenic village set on the riverbank, offering excellent sailing and access to a shingle beach.
Woodbridge is a vibrant market town known for its Tide Mill, boatyards, and proximity to Sutton Hoo.
The River Deben is a tidal estuary, renowned for its unspoilt beauty, rich wildlife, and popularity with sailors sets a perfect scene for our Gathering and Rally.
Meet our Speakers
-
Loïc Le Marchand
Speaking on Saturday 2nd AM
Loïc is a TV director, sailor and custodian of Everson’s-built ‘Nyala’.
-
Prof. Richard Birmingham
Speaking on Saturday 2nd PM
Richard’s career spans traditional boatbuilding in Woodbridge to teaching Small Craft Design and being President of the Royal Institute of Naval Architects
Wooden Boatbuilders’ Trade Association
Thirty-two years ago, a group of boatbuilders exhibiting at the long lost Greenwich Wooden Boat Show decided to form an association to pool ideas and create a collective body to represent wooden boatbuilding.
The idea grew, as did the membership, to include allied trades such as designers, timber merchants, boatbuilding schools, a magazine etc. Not only does the WBTA bring together people working in amongst wooden boats, but it exists to show that the future for building boats from sustainable materials is bright and is a shining star in a world of mainstream plastic boating. We encourage anyone wanting to start in a wooden boat business with mentoring and a special subscription rate. The full members of the WBTA all have to prove that their work is of a quality and standard that deserves the WBTA logo. We are here to demonstrate that good quality wooden boats are desirable, practical, and, most of all, beautiful.