SAILING IN THE UK

WHERE TO GO IN 2023 UK SAILING ADVENTURES

James Foot, on-the-water expert atBorrow A Boat, shares his top places to sail in the UK this year.

We Brits are very lucky to live on an island, and it is no wonder we have always been a seafaring nation, as our encompassing coastline snakes around Great Britain and each individual British Isle. But in an age of international travel, where we can easily escape to the warmer climes of the Mediterranean or Caribbean, it is easy to ignore the beauty on our own doorstep. Below are four of James’ favourite places to sail without leaving the UK.

WEST COAST OF SCOTLAND

The West Coast of Scotland provides beautiful cruising grounds and abounds with incredible wildlife including whales and seabirds. It is no wonder that sailors return to cruise this area time and again.

Two marvellous options for chartering in Scotland can be boiled down to the Firth of Clyde and further north from Oban and Dunstaffnage. The former has the best options in terms of charter yachts and provides access to a fantastic innerHebridean itinerary, wonderful whisky and world class scenery.

From Largs, conveniently accessible via Glasgow International, you can meander around the stunning Kyles of Bute before stopping at Portavadie, a superb marina which features an infinity pool overlooking Loch Fyne. You can then set off early to get to the entrance of the Crinan canal ideally before 10am.

Getting through the canal’s 15 locks is an engaging process (you can opt to have Scottish Canals staff assist) and you will drift past lovely countryside before exiting into the sea at Crinan (where you may be greeted by a pod of dolphins).

Then you can begin your island hopping down the Hebrides of Jura and onto Islay, where you will find several of Scotland’s most famous distilleries. Go easy on the local produce, as the Mull of Kintyre on your return leg is famed for putting even seasoned sailors to the test!

THE SOLENT

The Solent is often referred to as the home of British yachting, and is a magnificent playground for sailors who love the technicalities and challenges of sailing in strong tidal water. It offers incredible sailing conditions with a prevailing south-westerly allowing you to tack and gybe your way from Notley to the Needles and back.

With tricky transits and strong currents, the Solent holistically tests your ability to navigate into some of the most quaint and charming anchorages on the South Coast, such as the sumptuous Newtown Creek on the Isle of Wight, or bucolic Beaulieu, nestled in the New Forest.

After snaking your way through the mouth of Newtown River into the heart of the National Trust Nature Reserve, all you need do is drop anchor, pop your anchor light on and open a bottle of wine while taking in the stunning sunset with your evening meal and listening to the array of wildlife.

So varied are the conditions that there is a popular saying that if you can sail in the Solent, you can sail anywhere in the world, and it is certainly a good proving ground – many of the UK’s top ocean sailors cut their teeth on the Solent, and it is home to world-famous races and regattas such as the Round the Island Race and Cowes Week.

Charters from the Solent are also a great way to get some more miles under your belt, heading out across to the Channel Islands and Brittany.

SOUTH WEST

Charter a yacht on the River Fal, head out through Carrick Roads and relish the very best of the South West coastline, once home to naval officers, fishermen and nefarious smugglers alike.

Falmouth’s nautical history makes it the perfect place to explore on or off the water, and it plays host to the impressive national maritime museum.

The Helford River area also boasts golden sandy beaches, sub-tropical gardens and heritage sites such as Pendennis Castle.

Anchor off the gorgeous Roseland peninsula, take the dinghy ashore and stroll through St Just in Roseland, or hike over to classically Cornish St Mawes. There are many beautiful beaches, great for swimming, sunbathing, rock pooling and watersports.

Sail around the Lizard, mainland Britain’s most southerly point, and on to Mount’s Bay and Penzance. From here you can make a pasage across to the magical Isles of Scilly, a cluster of beachfringed jewels with their own warm microclimate and unique diversity of species.

LONDON & SOUTH EAST

Start your sailing trip in the quiet marina right outside the Borrow a Boat offices, in the heart of London next to Tower Bridge. Head East along the River Thames, past the Greenwich Peninsula, overlooked by the O2 arena, through the Thames Barrier and onwards to the isolated creeks of the east coast.

Explore the picturesque market town of Faversham, the tranquil Oare Marches, the Isle of Sheppey and the River Medway’s twisting nature reserves, or go north towards Burnham-on-Crouch and the River Blackwater. Boats are available for day trips in and around London, too.