first cross channel trip

[gimmesunshine]

we are wanting to go across to france for a short break or 2 this year. We are based in Poole & not sure where to head in terms of best facilities for beach holiday.
Have heard Cherbourg is all port and not much to else explore.
Got 2 kids to entertain, 8 and 3.
any ideas..? or decent books i could buy..

 

[sailorman]

St Vaast

 

[Whitelighter]

Second St Vaast. Lovely marina/port with good access to shops, sights and beaches. A visit to M. Gosselong (sp?) for booze is a must.

Also and easy hop to Carantan or if feeling braver Hon Fleur to change the scenery

 

[Bandit]

A good marina for kids with very good beaches is Carteret on the west coast of the cotentin peninsular.

The marina is very sheltered and the beaches within walking distance.

Dielette to the north is ok for an overnight stop as is Alderney in good weather , then only 30 miles to Guernsey for some cheap diesel then back home again.

Cherbourg is ok for a town but basic beaches and a city and from Cherbourh to around the corner to Dielette is a bit of a haul.

 

[sailorman]

you mean he SELLS BOOZE /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif/forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif thought it woz Fromarge he specialized in /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[Perry]

Do Poole to Cherbourg and then a trip round to St Vaast the next day, If you google St Vaast you will be able to get the lock open and close times.

 

[AIDY]

from poole with the tides your best bet would be to head for alderney. and if you get the tide right wizz down to carteret or dilette. coming home if you time it right you will get a serious kick up the arse with the tide home towards poole /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

St vaast great only problem is timing your arrival around barfleur, too many pots / fishing gear in the water for a night entry really. so really need to stop at cherb first !

 

[sailorman]

First Trip unlikly 2 be @ night /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[AIDY]

depends on the lock opening times ! anyway i would not do it in the dark even after x visits too much in the water to worry about

 

[Spars]

Deauville, the pontoons are 50 mtrs from the beach and the Towns of Deauville/Trouville are excellent.

 

[AIDY]

agree that deauville has the best beach. but it's quite a treck from poole for a short break... Mmmmm ladies best left at home too many posh clothes shops. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[hlb]

Would have thought that the Chanel Isle have far nicer beaches and easier to get to as well.

 

[sailorman]

gate normally 3hrs either side of H.W. from memory /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[ebbtide]

Re: decent books to buy

Guides like Tom Cunliffe's Shell Channel Pilot or Featherstone's Channel Cruising Companion should be bedside reading at this time of year, plus YM Channel Havens for the adventurous.
Ignore SWMBO and do your homework!

 

[Ianj68]

Another recommendation for St Vaast. Pretty much straight across from Poole, nice marina and quaint town etc.

We took our first trip across last year in company with our berth holders association and thoroughly enjoyed it. As for recommendations on a book. I have the Peter Cumberlidge Waypoint directory. Very useful for most south coast and channel ports. The boat is berthed in Poole so if you want to borrow / take a look at the book let me know.

Ian.

 

[DAKA]

I agree with others St Vaast is a great family place but it is the wrong way for you.
Free flow access times here

there is an anchorage just west (right) of this photo but the lock access free flow is good

You would find it much simpler to head for St Peter Port , west of Alderney to avoid the Alderney Race.

Anchorage just East of St Peter Port

They speak English and fuel is cheap.

 

[[2068]]

Was stuck in Cherbourg last year with SWMBO and a 3 year old.

It's not true that there's nothing to see or nowhere to explore - we were pleasantly surprised.

Deauville/Trouville is where I came back from, but it's a long hike back from there.

I would head to Cherbourg for the first leg, nice easy large harbour to get into, then recover, get your bearings, and you can either hop West to the CI's or East to St Vaast.

dv.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Alderney was our favourite when our boy was this sort of age. There's a huge long beach next to the harbour which is perfect for little ones to explore rock pools and build sandcastles. The railway is a good way to entertain the kids as well. Otherwise you can just walk or hire a bike or car. The problems with Alderney is that the harbour is lumpy if the wind has any north in it and you need to take a water taxi to the shore
If entertaining the kids is top priority (let's face it, if the kids are happy, Mum and Dad are too), I suggest Weymouth. Yes I know it's not across the Channel but there is really so much to do there plus just about the best and safest beach on the S Coast

 

[neale]

I think Cherbourg is a good bet for a first time channel crossing. It's all tides, unlike most of the other suggestions, so you won't be chasing tidal windows, which will ease the pressure on you if conditions aren't perfect. There's a big town to look around and a trip to the maritime museum is well worth it. They have a big nuclear sub in dry dock which the 8 year old will probably love. There's an aquarium in the museum that both the kids will enjoy. Once in Cherbourg, it's only a short hop to some of the other places suggested so if you have the time you could do a 2 port trip. St Vaast is lovely but there is not alot to do there for kids.

All IMHO of course /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[jhr]

I'd second Carteret; fabulous beaches and a really nice little town. Make sure you get your tide calcs right! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif