Free anchorages

[sam_uk]

Hi All

I am wondering how many free anchorages there are in the UK? Should I expect to pay every night? There seem to be a lot of anchorages in the Med are there many in the UK? I am particularly interested in the South of the country.

 

[charles_reed]

I suspect, unless you are more specific no-one will be able to answer your question.
A good starting point for your research could be one the Almanacs or, better, a Pilot Book for the area. The Cruising Association and the Imray/RCC ones are probably best.

 

[black_sheep]

Our cruising area is Poole, west to Weymouth and east to the IOW. We have only been asked to pay in Newtown Creek on the IOW over the last 15 years.

 

[jimbaerselman]

For broad brush comparisons between various cruising areas of Europe, have a look at my web site.

Of course, all things are relative, so it would help to know which area you're used to sailing in. South UK has lots of free daytime anchorages, but it is a very crowded cruising area, so most sheltered places are now filled with marinas, piles, moorings, and people collecting money.

The wetter coasts of UK (and the Irish republic) are a completely different matter. Lots of free anchoring space in sheltered places around the W coast of Scotland!

 

[Gordonmc]

The notion of paying to anchor is still a foreign concept on the West Coast of Scotland and even paying for a mooring (generally) raises eyebrows.
I do pay to pick up a mooring in places like Lamlash because they were laid by the local sailing club and they deserve support.
Most hotel services moornings are free with the expectation you will cross the bar with silver, which is no hardship.

 

[saltwater_gypsy]

About 2,500 in Scotland!!!!
(just a guess)

 

[sam_uk]

Hi all thanks for the responses. I would be mainly sailing along the Bristol Channel. I am looking for anchorages where you could shelter from heavy weather overnight.

Thanks

Sam

 

[jimbaerselman]

Ooooh. Hope you've got lots of chain to cope with the tidal range! You'll be better off in Pembrokeshire . . .

 

[MacMan]

At Newtown the man will ask, then beg, then haggle and then generally harang until you give him a "Voluntary" donation. You can not pay but it can be easier just to pay him to go away and have a bit of piece and quiet. Never paid at all in Ireland itself last year and only at Falmouth, Fowey on St Mary's (Scillies) bouys on the way to Ireland and back last year. Full route map and breakdown of what was paid where in a 3 month trip on the blog linked to below.

 

[Chris_Robb]

[ QUOTE ]
Our cruising area is Poole, west to Weymouth and east to the IOW. We have only been asked to pay in Newtown Creek on the IOW over the last 15 years.

[/ QUOTE ]

Lying to an anchor in Newtown is free with an entirely voluntary donation if you so wish to the National Trust

 

[billiew]

A recent reply to a post of mine brought up a site called the tightwad sailor,only Solent but very useful.Sorry don't know how to paste it.I would like to know if there is any similar sites for other areas.
Bill

 

[JayBee]

here you go

 

[billiew]

That's the one,thanks.Anyone know of similar for other areas?
Bill

 

[jeanne]

The upper Bristol Channel is not the easiest place to anchor regularly, although there are plenty of passage anchorages, with shelter for as long as the wind stays in the right quarter. But the compensation is that in several places there are clubs who will put a visitor up for free for a few days.
The western end is quite different, there are hundreds of free anchorages from Caldy onwards on the Welsh side, and about two on the English side.
From Padstow Bar to Lundy Light,
A watery grave by day or night!
The best advice is to join a club, and get all the local knowledge that you need from them. And there is a Bristol Channel Forum on YBW , too.

 

[damo]

Have a look at the recent Ilfracombe thread on the BC forum

There are no all-weather anchorages in the Bristol Channel, unless you can use one of the rivers. There are a few places, eg Gower, Lundy, Caldy etc where you can dodge from coast to coast if the wind changes.

Ilfracombe attempts to charge for anchoring outside the harbour /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif, everywhere else is fine.

You will need plenty of scope - a minimum of 75m IMO - because there are several places where you can start with 3-4m at LW and have 15m plus at HW