South Coast, must see places ?

[Fascadale]

Now that the days have started to lengthen the passage planning starts.

I hope to visit the South Coast of England this summer.

If one were to spend seven or eight days between the Scilly Isles and the the Solent what are the must see places?

26ft saily boat, draws 4ft, happy at anchor but enjoy the occasional pontoon. Taking it easy so no more than 40 nm days (with the tide). I prefer peaceful scenery to marinas.

I like boaty stuff so want to go to the big museum in Falmouth and wouldn't mind seeing the old naval stuff in Portsmouth and I have never been to Cowes. Is it worth spending a day in the dinghy floating up to Totnes or going up one of the other rivers?

 

[Sanderling_]

Give yourself much longer to do this

If you only have 7 or 8 days and wish to do no more than 40m per day, you will probably only have a maximum of 2 spare days. Personally, I would use these in Scilly but you might prefer to look at the Tamar up to Cothele or Dart to Totnes for one of these days (drawing 4' means that you will not need to rely on the dinghy) and perhaps pottering around the upper reaches of Poole harbour for the other.

Ideally, I would try to plan for at least a couple of weeks to do this stretch and even then you will miss many of the gems, particularly if you get inclement weather.

Tony

 

[Baggy]

Just love the scillys.... yes indeed .. beautiful..



if the weather is going to turn, you can easily make a bolt to newlyn harbour ( happen to me three time )
Did sit out a blow on mooring in st marys once ... not very nice
only about 6 hour sail to newlyn, as opposed to falmouth area, making use of the one tide

ps.. can I come

 

[photodog]

7 or 8 days for the Solent to the Scillys....

The only thing you are gonna be seeing is the sea....

You need a lot more time than that to appreciate the place.... I can just about do Dartmouth to Falmouth and all points in between in 14 days...

 

[Fr J Hackett]

7 or 8 days for the Solent to the Scillys....

The only thing you are gonna be seeing is the sea....

You need a lot more time than that to appreciate the place.... I can just about do Dartmouth to Falmouth and all points in between in 14 days...

Why aren't you on the M5

 

[aquaholic]

if you are not a regular visitor like myself I would include Cowes Yacht Haven, right in the middle of town and loads of boaty type shops.. a real sailors atmosphere along with yarmouth. Loved both places

 

[RobF]

Personally, I would add Newton Ferrers, Salcombe (expensive) and Fowey. But you can spend a week exploring Falmouth harbour too!

 

[Fascadale]

Thanks for the suggestions so far.

Is it the considered opinion then that the South West Coast is the best bit of cruising in England? (Tin hat time)

(I have been impressed by the East Anglian stuff on KTL)

 

[Ex-SolentBoy]

Now that the days have started to lengthen the passage planning starts.

I hope to visit the South Coast of England this summer.

If one were to spend seven or eight days between the Scilly Isles and the the Solent what are the must see places?

26ft saily boat, draws 4ft, happy at anchor but enjoy the occasional pontoon. Taking it easy so no more than 40 nm days (with the tide). I prefer peaceful scenery to marinas.

I like boaty stuff so want to go to the big museum in Falmouth and wouldn't mind seeing the old naval stuff in Portsmouth and I have never been to Cowes. Is it worth spending a day in the dinghy floating up to Totnes or going up one of the other rivers?

It's not clear from your post which end you intend starting and if the time period is to do it in both directions.

either way, the biggest challenge you are going to have it getting to the Scillies. To avoid it being an unpleasant trip you will need to wait somewhere, perhaps Falmouth or Helford, for the right weather window, and then hope it doesn't close in too quickly forcing you back east again. That's your whole trip gone in one.

My personal favourites are (from West to East ) Helford, Falmouth (Port Pendennis), Mylor, Fowey, Dittisham (Dartmouth), Lulworth, Poole (Goathorn Point), Scratchells Bay or Totland Bay (West Wight depending on wind direction), Yarmouth, Newtown Creek and west Cowes.

The numbers are close, but you could do Falmouth, Fowey, Yealm, Dartmouth, Weymouth, Lyme Regis, Weymouth, Swanage, Yarmouth, Newtown, Cowes.

Probably better to pucker up for a couple of 60 mile legs though.

 

[BlueSkyNick]

You could spend 7 weeks rather than 7 days between the Western SOlent and the Scillies.

Top place to stop for peace and quiet is Newton Ferrers.

Ignore Salcombe and Plymouth Harbour, do go to Dartmouth, Falmouth and Fowey.

 

[Fascadale]

It's not clear from your post which end you intend starting and if the time period is to do it in both directions.

either way, the biggest challenge you are going to have it getting to the Scillies. To avoid it being an unpleasant trip you will need to wait somewhere, perhaps Falmouth or Helford, for the right weather window, and then hope it doesn't close in too quickly forcing you back east again. That's your whole trip gone in one.

My personal favourites are (from West to East ) Helford, Falmouth (Port Pendennis), Mylor, Fowey, Dittisham (Dartmouth), Lulworth, Poole (Goathorn Point), Scratchells Bay or Totland Bay (West Wight depending on wind direction), Yarmouth, Newtown Creek and west Cowes.

The numbers are close, but you could do Falmouth, Fowey, Yealm, Dartmouth, Weymouth, Lyme Regis, Weymouth, Swanage, Yarmouth, Newtown, Cowes.

Probably better to pucker up for a couple of 60 mile legs though.

Apologies for the confusion.

Starting point is Bowling on the Clyde, end point Edinburgh.(six weeks available)

I decided last summer in the cold rain of the Western Isles that I wanted to sail somewhere warmer in future, thus the voyage south.

I thought I would try to do the Clyde to the Scillies as quick as poss, in a oner if the weather permits, so in answer to your question, a one way trip eastwards from Scilly.

 

[Robin]

Apologies for the confusion.

Starting point is Bowling on the Clyde, end point Edinburgh.(six weeks available)

I decided last summer in the cold rain of the Western Isles that I wanted to sail somewhere warmer in future, thus the voyage south.

I thought I would try to do the Clyde to the Scillies as quick as poss, in a oner if the weather permits, so in answer to your question, a one way trip eastwards from Scilly.

Scillies, Falmouth, Fowey, Dartmouth, Poole, Solent and the rest are lay days.

 

[Bav34]

Newtown Creek?

Terrible place.

Tortuous approach.

Vicious Bar

Shallows, rocks, dragons.

Nasty HM

Expensive

Noisy

No electricity

Dries 5 mins either side of HW

Nearby pig farm and Waste Incinerator

Avoid.

 

[BlueSkyNick]

Newtown Creek?

Terrible place.

Tortuous approach.

Vicious Bar

Shallows, rocks, dragons.

Nasty HM

Expensive

Noisy

No electricity

Dries 5 mins either side of HW

Nearby pig farm and Waste Incinerator

Avoid.

I think you are confusing Newtown with Chichester ?

 

[Seajet]

I would heartily recommend South Deep anchorage in Poole Harbour, to port soon after you enter.

You can't land, but it is absolutely idyllic. Shallow, keep an eye on the sounder, but it's soft mud, among the Purbeck scenery.

When you move on, either further the harbour or leaving, there's a barge just around the corner of Brownsea island, which has fuel ( petrol & diesel ), water, off licence & tinned food etc.

If spending a bit more time, up the River Frome to Wareham is a very lovely trip, among tall reed beds to the town of wareham where there's a small quay. Beware wierd double high water tides, generally shallow, and tight on space, weekends best avoided.

The town itself has the odd pub serving good food ( a rarity in the Poole area and is well worth a stroll round.

I'm based in the solent and love it; but if really pushed for time, I'd go for the South West, particularaly Newton Ferrers, Fowey, Falmouth.

 

[dt4134]

(I have been impressed by the East Anglian stuff on KTL)

You're talking about someone who took a year to get from Brightlingsea to Orford!


Realistically you can't do a great deal of the south coast in seven or eight days.

The Scillies should definitely be on your list. It's about 60nm from there to Falmouth. As well as the museum it would be worth going up the river to the more secluded parts. There are a couple of detached pontoons up there.

Fowey is worth a visit. I'd also include the River Yealm. As a non-local you've got to believe there's a harbour there and keep going. You could also go up the Tamar & St German's river & anchor at Dandy Hole.

I suspect by that stage your time will be used up. Unfortunately it's the south coast of England so all the nice places will be crowded.

I've always wanted to go to St Micheal's Mount, but they'll have to dredge it first. Maybe with your shallow draught you could make it. Mousehole might also be somewhere you could get that others can't.

 

[andrewfollett]

Having got as far as Falmouth on a couple of occasions and not finding a good period to cross (on both occasions we turned back for france or channel islands instead), i wouldnt bank on seeing scillies at all! Helford, Fowey, newton ferrers, salcombe, dartmouth and then a long trip all the way home! or stop in poole if you have a little extra time.) All easy day sails with lovely evenings ashore. You will find a super lunch time anchorage for all of those legs.
have fun,

 

[andrewfollett]

Apologies for the confusion.

Starting point is Bowling on the Clyde, end point Edinburgh.(six weeks available)

I decided last summer in the cold rain of the Western Isles that I wanted to sail somewhere warmer in future, thus the voyage south.

I thought I would try to do the Clyde to the Scillies as quick as poss, in a oner if the weather permits, so in answer to your question, a one way trip eastwards from Scilly.

If you want warmer try Falmouth, Vigo, Potimao, marina doeste, cala vinas. Dont come here looking for warm weather. for the last 10 years its been miserable!!

 

[Boathook]

7 or 8 days for the Solent to the Scillys....

The only thing you are gonna be seeing is the sea....

You need a lot more time than that to appreciate the place.... I can just about do Dartmouth to Falmouth and all points in between in 14 days...

Totally agree. 7 or 8 days is not anough for Solent to Scillies. Depending upon weather Dartmouth to Solent can be a struggle if you also wish to visit varies harbours, etc.

 

[snooks]

How about loading up the boat and taking her from Solent to Plymouth the weekend before? Then start and finish your cruise from there, it will give you far more time to explore the west country. Even then that won't give you a long enough time to get the most from Scilly.

You could easily spend a week in Scilly, or even around the Fal if the weather won't let you get to Scilly