Your favourite UK sailing destination?

[burgundyben]

There's a jewel in the Solent that nobody's mentioned, I'm keeping schtum too.

Dartmouth is up there, Brixham too.

I love St Malo and Honfleur.

Gillan Creek and Scilly still on my list.

 

[AngusMcDoon]

No one has yet mentioned Caladh Harbour, Bute. Lovely anchorage.

Not bad, if you can get in. A bit cramped and busy. More space here in Handa Sound...

 

[Sybarite]

Strangford Lough.

 

[ip485]

Just wanted to say Dartmouth, Salcombe, R Yealm, Fowey, Polperro, Falmouth and Helford River are all awful and in fact the whole coastline from Berry Head westwards is dismal and not worth visiting.

 

[lustyd]

For me it's got to be sailing into Loch Fyne in the dark on a moonless night in October. I've never seen that kind of dark, especially at 6 knots. Scillies are nice too in the summer, but Loch Fyne for sure is best UK.
Near UK Arklow and Peel are right up there, and Sark is just stunning

 

[Yealm]

Like the west country, my favourite is probably the Yealm

I'd have to agree with that !

 

[Bathdave]

Jersey has an excellent bus service, which makes it a good base for a few days or more. I have found the harbour staff helpful too, especially when I needed to dry out on two occasions.

The secret to appreciating jersey is getting away from st Helier !

as well as the excellent buses, there are now lots of electric bikes you can hire, pick and and drop off all over the place

 

[rotrax]

Strangford Lough.

I agree.

We chose a shallow draught vessel for many reasons, exploring the quieter parts of Strangford Lough one of them.

Audley's Roads is a great anchorage, the Clubs at Ringhaddy and Ballydorn make one very welcome plus many of my adventures as a young motorbike racer were carried out nearby, banging handlebars with the boys around the Saintfield and Killinchy circuits.

First Mate and I have been planning a return but next year looks more likely now.

You could easily spend a month in Strangford Lough and not see it all ?

 

[Genoa]

Tinkers Hole, then out into the Sound of Iona. Probably the most beautiful place on this Earth.

 

[Snoopy463]

Lundy, if you don't mind anchoring. Got a great boozer too. Not so good if you like polished brass buttons and red trousers.

 

[chrisclin]

Tinkers Hole, then out into the Sound of Iona. Probably the most beautiful place on this Earth.

While I'd agree about the Sound of Iona, Tinkers Hole is one of the ugliest quarries I've seen.

 

[Railbob]

Tinkers Hole, then out into the Sound of Iona. Probably the most beautiful place on this Earth.

Heading there for the first in June, any hints ?

 

[Scillypete]

For some it’s all about the destination, for me it’s about being at sea and the joy of being afloat whatever the destination and of course a safe arrival

 

[JumbleDuck]

While I'd agree about the Sound of Iona, Tinkers Hole is one of the ugliest quarries I've seen.

Quarries? Tinker's Hole? There is an old quarry at Bull Hole (Tormore) but Tinker's Hole is just a space between rocks off Erraid, isn't it? Not that I have ever been in, as it always seems to be crowded. Seven yachts in there last time I passed - the Curse of Antares strikes again.

 

[rotrax]

Heading there for the first in June, any hints ?

Take thermal underwear!

Last time First Mate and I were in the Clyde, mid July, it was 7 degrees C!

 

[dgadee]

Just looking at the adverts for cruises in the Sunday papers. Every available cruise ship seems to be going to the west coast of Scotland. It will be full this year. You'll all have to find somewhere else to go.

 

[westhinder]

For some it’s all about the destination, for me it’s about being at sea and the joy of being afloat whatever the destination and of course a safe arrival

Absolutely agree. The nicest destination would soon lose its appeal if the time spent getting there wasn’t a joy in itself. But sailing to new and beautiful places adds another dimension. Travelling aboard for longer than just two or three weeks adds yet another layer, IMHO.
Of course, if your home waters are stunning cruising grounds like the Scilly Islands or the West coast of Scotland, I can imagine the urge to travel is less.

 

[Robi]

Just wanted to say Dartmouth, Salcombe, R Yealm, Fowey, Polperro, Falmouth and Helford River are all awful and in fact the whole coastline from Berry Head westwards is dismal and not worth visiting.

There's a reason I keep my boat in Dartmouth even though it's 4 hr drive away.....thanks for reminding me!

 

[Koeketiene]

Of course, if your home waters are stunning cruising grounds like the Scilly Islands or the West coast of Scotland, I can imagine the urge to travel is less.

This is literally on my doorstep.
Two hours sail from my mooring.
I regularly sail there just to have lunch.

 

[zoidberg]

'Nuff said.

Then there's....

Of course, there's always lively Oban, in early summer....

and