Tips for cruising the Dover-Solent / Thames-London areas

[rolf.nielsen]

Hi, we are looking at cruising options in the south/east of UK from the Netherlands for the summer. We have three weeks, the family onboard includes kids who appreciate harbor life more than time at sea. We can do long passages (upto ~120 nm) at night if needed and are experienced enough to deal with the heavy Canal traffic. We have a slow-moving powerboat (8 knots) with a shallow draft (1.2m) and cannot (due to exposed rudders and props) stand on the dry. We are looking at routes that could include Oostende (Belgium), Dunkerque, Calais, Dover, Brighton, Solent area, then perhaps back to Ramsgate and then a visit to London before we head back to the old continent. I have not visited any of these places before. Are any of them particularly recommendable (or otherwise)? I know a lot depends on personal preferences etc so I'm just looking for generic advice, do's and don'ts, perhaps hidden gems in the range that we mustn't miss etc.

I hope this is the right subforum to post in and look forward to some good tips!

 

[Stork_III]

With the current Covid Travel restrictions, any arrival in UK from any European port will require you to quarantine for 10 days as well as have negative Covid test proof within 3 days prior to arrival, and tests while you are quarantining. So your trip currently is a non-starter, may change later in the year though.

 

[Malish]

Hi

Brighton seems to be pretty much closed to visitors this summer unless pre-booked, see

For boats headed south….

personally I find sailing the coast from Ramsgate to the Solent to be a bit of a drag, its only from the Solent westwards that life becomes more interesting. If you have not done it then I would recommend staying on the north side of the Thames. Plenty of options around the Crouch, Blackwater, Orwell, Deben and Ore. All assuming current restrictions ease.

and if you do not already know them:
East Coast Pilot
Books

 

[johnalison]

We quite like Blankenberg as an alternative to Ostend, and others favour Nieuwpoort, but they are all OK in their way. I haven't been to Calais for many years but it has a sort of charm, but waiting in the harbour for the tide can be tiresome. Dover is straightforward if you obey their entry rules. Not many of us will have tried the new marina yet. The town is not much to write about but the Castle well worth visiting. Brighton is a useful stop and the town has sights of interest, including a good museum and 'the Lanes' for quaint shopping. There has been some talk about limited access for visitors this year so it may be worth including Eastbourne in your plans. I don't know the town much but a bus ride to Beachy Head is enjoyable. The Solent - there be monsters.

British yacht clubs do not generally have franchised restaurants open to the public as on the continent but almost all welcome bona fide yachtsmen. There are some smart Solent clubs that restrict visitors to those from a small circle of clubs but tend to be more welcoming to those frok outside their area or from abroad.

 

[Tomahawk]

Essex and Suffolk have much to offer. As well as being closer there a lot of places you can visit working the tides.

Oh yes we have funny things called tides.. Just because it looks wet doesn't mean you can sail over it..

 

[Aurai]

Hi Ramsgate, is great for kids and welcoming, or at least we got in last week without fuss. A tide efficient run from Ramsgate to Queenborough, gets you in tne right place to head up the Thames for London. I cannot vouch for the London marinas, St Kats and Limehouse, both give great access to the sights, if you can get a booking. Queenborough is small but just enough for you to stroll around and see stuff then spend a night.

 

[LittleSister]

I think that given your kids prefer not to spend long periods at sea, you are trying to fit too much in. Aiming to get to the Solent and back within your 3 weeks is not the best choice, let alone going up to London too. You will likely spend much of the time just getting there and back, or waiting for the weather to improve for the next leg.

I'd second Tomahawks suggestion of focusing on Essex and Suffolk (and possibly including Kent). There's plenty of varied places to visit, some lively, some very quiet and relaxing, and even three weeks wouldn't allow you to visit them all. You would get no end of suggestions from this East Coast Forum.

Parts of the coast are shallow, but if you can navigate there's no problem at all staying afloat. (Even if you accidentally found yourself aground, almost everywhere 'inland' is soft mud, and wouldn't damage your props or rudders.) Your shallow draft is an advantage on our East Coast, but much deeper draft vessels are happily kept and well used in the area.

 

[tillergirl]

I would add that the Essex and Suffolk coast and rivers has the added advantage of fun even with higher winds. On the South Coast strong winds could keep you locked in marinas rather than venturing out in the unprotected English Channel. Here, there is much greater choice. You could move around places within the Crouch, Blackwater, Walton Backwaters/Stour/Orwell, Deben and Ore and find charm and interest for at least two or three days (at least) while coastal moves might be uncomfortable.

I hope the rules get eased in time for your holiday period.

 

[rolf.nielsen]

Thanks everyone! I should have added that these plans are of course subject to COVID restrictions easing - I don't mind tests etc but quarantining is obviously not an option on a holiday. I like the idea of Essex and Suffolk, some of the names mentioned here are not easy to locate on google maps perhaps because it is rivers and other types of areas. Could I ask for a few specific places (as in towns or marinas) in that area that I could have a look at? Again, family stuff such as beaches, nice restaurants, cosy towns etc., which could perhaps be a good counter balance to spending a week in London.

 

[Malish]

Thanks everyone! I should have added that these plans are of course subject to COVID restrictions easing - I don't mind tests etc but quarantining is obviously not an option on a holiday. I like the idea of Essex and Suffolk, some of the names mentioned here are not easy to locate on google maps perhaps because it is rivers and other types of areas. Could I ask for a few specific places (as in towns or marinas) in that area that I could have a look at? Again, family stuff such as beaches, nice restaurants, cosy towns etc., which could perhaps be a good counter balance to spending a week in London.

this resource might be useful for you:

Harbours

 

[PeterWright]

Hi,

For beaches, you'll find it hard to beat Southwold, excellent beaches available not just in the town (15 minutes walk from the berthing) with its pier but also across the river at Walberswick. Putting any of these names into search on Google maps finds them.

For town access there are two marinas in the town centre dock at Ipswich - Haven and Neptune, but no beaches there and Woodbridge has a marina in the old mill pond of its tide mill in a quaint town centre, but not much by way of night life.

For London, the two marinas to choose from as a visitor are St. Katherine's , next to the Tower of London very expensive, and Limehouse a bit further down river on the N side. oth these give easy access to public transport, which is needed for seeing the sights of London, they are well spread out. The recommendation for Quenborough as an overnight stop en route to London is good - you should make St Katherine's in one tide from there easily. Same applies on the way back down.

Don't expect berthing available in every town you pass, as you find in Holland, and canals are almost non existent - where they do exist, they tend to be very narrow and shallow, rarely penetrating to the East Coast.

Peter.

 

[oldgit]

A possible London ...............visit ? A once in lifetime event.
Good place to start would be from Queenbourgh near Sheerness.
Visitors
Visitor bouys and trot boat plus easy to access in all weather/ tide conditions.
Several places to eat/drink close by.

Catch the flood tide up to London about 4 hours .Sail through the Thames Barrier and past Greenwich.

Three locked marinas in the Town centre.
My preference is for St Kats.
Marina



Not cheap but right next to Tower Bridge and The Tower of London and loads of places to eat on your doorstep , food not that expensive either.
The wife and kids might even forgive and forget all that boring sailing to get here.
Several historic old pubs in nearbye Wapping high street.
Loads to do to keep the kids occupied with some impressive museums (free) and many other other (expensive )attractions nearbye.
There are two other marinas , South Dock is less expensive but in the middle of nowhere and the other Limehouse , lacks the buzz of St Kats and has zero atmosphere .
Good luck.

 

[rolf.nielsen]

Awesome you guys, thanks very much for the good tips and resources. I have booked a berth at St. Kats marina and will probably stay north of the Thames as recommended and do the Solent another time. Now just crossing fingers that we'll be let into the UK without quarantine by the time our vacation starts (last week of July)

 

[Daydream believer]

In these covid times I would stay on the belgian/French side. The harbours are far more tourist friendly.
Travelling down the standing mast route one has Veere & Middleburgwhich are always worth a visit before reaching the sea at Flushing. then cross to Breskens
By staying within the EU one does not have the schengan rules to deal with & I understand that covid rules are slightly different for those transiting internal borders.
Ostend for instance, has places of interest for you & the kids- The atlantic wall, at Raverslyde ( hire bikes & cycle there) There is a restaurant on the nature reserve there. You can hire bikes & cycle back to Blankenburg which is always fun or use them to cycle round the parks. If you go in August during the Paulusfeesten there is the bands & in the afternoon there are fun things for kids. There is a the Mercator 3 masted training ship to visit to show the kids ( handyif it is raining) & loads of places to dine & buy ice creams!!!The beaches are excellent & well monitored for safety.
Boulogne has the old town to explore, there is an aqarium & a fair beach. I think kids can hire land yachts, but one would have to check that.
. Dieppe is a pleasant town with interesting places & things to see. Then there is Normandy--- Normandy
On the British side places like Ramsgate are just "towns" with little of interest for children. As a sailor I like the yacht club but once you have seen one british high street you have seen them all.
Dover is really just a ferry terminal, However, The castle is worth a visit & there are some lovely cliff walks if you want to look at France from afar
Do not bother with the Swale or Medway unless going to Chatham . Then there is a very interesting dockside museum & you could spend 2 day going round that- Highly recommended
I think it would be easy for children to get bored in places like the Crouch. If you go up the Blackwater there is Osea Island to stop at & if you can get to Maldon then the town is Ok.& there are a few things to look at on the river front
But these are just my opinions & many will differ so you have to make your own decision based on a number of comments herein
cliick places to visit

 

[tillergirl]

I guess it depends on the interests/age of children. On the River Blackwater, in Tollesbury Marina has a swimming pool, albeit that the marina entry is tide restricted. The best Indian restaurant in Essex is in the next village but they will deliver free to the marina. At West Mersea, there is no marina but the Club lauchman will find you a mooring and 'ferry' you ashore. Those 'standboards' (or whatever they are called) can be hired and can move through the several creeks. They are very popular. There are two specialist seafood restaurants (and others). At Bradwell marina there is a local pub which over the years has been good - if history is of interest, possibly the oldest 'operational' church in the country is a walk away built on the site of the Roman fort intended to keep the Saxons out. Osea Island is a popular anchorage and there is a shingle beach. At Heybridge, you can lock-in to the Basin and there are two local pubs for food. If you have a dinghy you can go a mile or so up the canal for supplies at a large supermarket. There used to be a local launch that would run people up to the supermarket but I don't know if that is working this year. At Maldon you will see several Thames Spritsail Barges and they operate some trips on the tide. It all depends what you want.

I let others describe the other rivers. They all have charms and perhaps some negatives like all of us.