Boating/ Sailing

coastal holidays with sailing

narrow boats canal holidays

yachting around the coast

Great Britain and Ireland have miles of coast between them. Wherever you go on the coast, there are marinas, yacht clubs and harbours where it is possible to rent a boat of some kind and add some fun and excitement to a coastal holiday. Rent a holiday cottage or apartment to stay in and enjoy having a private base to call your own for the duration of your trip.

View coastal holiday cottages

 

Sailing holidays in England

If you're looking to try something different and enjoy being on the water without having to do any of the work then punting is a great excuse to relax whilst taking in the local sights, get a great look at all the college buildings and beautiful architecture whilst punting down the Backs in Cambridge. Although a punt may not be too easy to handle if you decide to take one on yourself, it will definitely be a fun experience that you won't forget. Another fantastic opportunity to get on the water in England is to sail on the River Severn, as England's longest river you will have plenty of great countryside to view as you drift by. By starting at Bewdley you can experience stunning rolling hills as well as some great pubs where you can get taste of the famous 'scrumpy' cider.

A well known boating experience in England is the Narrow boat. To coincide with the tradition of the narrow boat, the best place to enjoy a trip on one is between Oxford and Windsor. With plenty of pubs for you to stop off at for a delicious British lunch as well as some wonderful historical attractions such as Windsor Castle to visit on your day out you will have a fantastic time exploring the river Thames. After a long day trying to keep the boat under control you can step onto dry land and enjoy a cosy evening in your country cottage. You can also experience the well known canal boat in the Fenlands in East Anglia. With hundreds of miles of fantastic waterways which cross over the fens, the canal boat is the ideal way to navigate them. Beautiful country villages will pass you by as you drift gently through the East Anglian countryside.

If you decide to rent a beautiful country cottage in or around the capital city of London then why not get out and explore the famous River Thames that flows through the city centre. The most exciting way to explore this fantastic river has got to be by speedboat. Take a fast paced ride past the most famous and popular attractions in London, past the houses of parliament, the London eye, and even catch a glimpse of St. Pauls and the Tate Modern.

Finally cruising the River Tee is a experience not to be missed. Starting in the Pennines and flowing out to the North sea near Middlesbrough this beautiful river was once home to shipyards and ugly steelworks, however nowadays it is enjoyed by many in gentle pleasure boats and cruises and is definitely worth a try when staying in the area.

East Anglia is another brilliant location for a cottage holiday with plenty of sailing thrown in. Find yacht clubs and sailing tuition in many towns on the east Anglian coast, in Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex.

south woodham ferrers in essex

Cottage holidays with messing about on the water in Scotland

As well as these fantastic locations in England mentioned above, there are also some truly amazing destinations in Scotland, Wales and Ireland that boating and sailing fans will enjoy. Scotland is home to a world-class boating and watersports environment with clean fresh air and breathtaking coastal scenery to experience, Yachting and sailing however are the most popular. Yachting in Scotland's inshore waters is a sailors paradise due to quiet anchorages, unpolluted waters and fantastic landscapes to take in. There is also the option of exploring Scotland's canals by pleasure boat and really get immersed in the heart of the country's scenery. Some great places to enjoy fantastic sailing in Scotland include, The firth of Clyde, Argyll and the Islands, the Orcadian archipelago, Isle of Skye and the north west.

As well as being home to some of the best environments for sailing in the world, Scotland also boats many beautiful lochs which can also be experienced by boat. A visit to Loch Lomond, a 23 mile long lake in mid Scotland amongst the Trossachs National park, gives you plenty of opportunities to hit the water in a great choice of crafts such as speedboats, cruisers, pleasure boats and more. Experience one of the fantastic pre- arranged tours of the loch and enjoy a delicious dinner or lunch included. Or take a high speed, unforgettable tour in a speedboat admiring the ever changing views and spectacular scenery. You can also experience a speedboat ride along the coast operating from Edinburgh, this high speed adventure and adrenalin tour brings you the thrill of close encounters with some of Scotland's most amazing wildlife.

View coastal cottages in Scotland for holidays with boating, fishing and beaches.

coastal cottage holiays in scotland

Wales coastal breaks

With hundreds of miles of coastline, 750 to be specific, its no wonder that Wales boasts some beautiful places to experience water sports let alone sailing and boating. To start with, Pembrokeshire is a great location for cruising, whether you bring along your own yacht or charter one from a local yard. The spectacular, National Park coastline that is brimming with broad sandy beaches, amazing wildlife and pretty harbours will provide you with brilliant views from your boat. The Milford Haven Waterway which is a 22 mile long, deep water harbour is where you will find the most yachting facilities at your disposal. It is also the perfect location for anyone looking for a quiet sail and especially good for beginners or learners testing out the waters. It is also a great benefit that there is a great collection of pubs for you to enjoy once you get off the water. You can also find worth while sailing around the areas of Caldey Island, the islands off of the Marloes Peninsula, St. Brides Bay and if you're feeling adventurous you could sail to Lundy Island off the coast of Cornwall and Devon.

The Island of Anglesey is home to the famous Menai Straits Regatta, a two week sailing regatta that includes a race around Anglesey, a race under the two bridges and other racing at various venues. It is therefore not surprising that Anglesey boasts some fantastic boating and sailing opportunities, a healthy number of sailing clubs and great harbour slipways for visiting boats. Therefore if you're looking to take a self-catering country cottage holiday in the UK with the opportunity to do some fantastic sailing then why not considering the beautiful island of Anglesey in North Wales or the county of Pembrokeshire in the south.

Apart from fantastic sailing opportunities, Wales can also offer some beautiful narrow, canal and barge boat experiences. Take a wonderful cruise down the Brecon and Abergavenny Canal, set entirely in the Brecon Beacons National park and take in the spectacular sights that surround you. Relax as the rolling hills, quiet waters, stunning farmland and mountainous terrain passes you by on one of the longest lock-free stretches of water in the country. Of course as you are on holiday, if you don't feel like doing the work why not take a pleasure boat cruise along the impressive coastline and into picturesque harbours.

On the other hand you may not be looking for a relaxing and tranquil ride, hen dos and stag dos and thrill seekers may prefer to spend their country cottage holiday a little more fast paced so why not enjoy a exhilarating speed boat ride with Cardiff sea safari. Enjoy the ultimate power boat experience in a fast and fun ribcraft boat, the UK's fastest passenger carrying rigid inflatable boats which can reach a top speed of over 85mph!

Barmouth holidays on the coast in Wales

Coastal cottage holidays in Ireland

Beautifully clean water, pretty sheltered harbours and a dramatic impressive coastline make Ireland one of the best places to sail in Europe. It is even home to the oldest yacht club in the world, established in 1720. With a long tradition in seafaring as well as some fairly major ports and some truly beautiful fishing harbours Ireland is a delightful place to spend a country cottage holiday with some great sailing thrown in. The most popular way to sail in Ireland is in a sailing dinghy which is light and easily transportable from one harbour or port to another. Some of the best known sailing venues in Ireland are Strangford Lough, Dublin Bay, Wrexford, Waterford and Cork harbours as well as the stunning harbour at Kinsale. Although these are probably the most popular and best known sailing venues in Ireland there is a plethora of yacht and sailing clubs all over the coastline.

Not only can you sail the spectacular coast of Ireland but inland sailing is also a great experience. If you prefer to enjoy a cruise along a river or on a beautiful lake then Ireland may also be for you. There are thriving sailing clubs on the river Shannon, the loughs of Derg and Ree and also lough Erne. Beginners who are interested in learning to sail can also discover some fabulous schools and private tuition in these areas. Discover a fantastic self-catering country cottage holiday in a prime location for either inland sailing or along the beautiful coastline and enjoy your perfect Ireland getaway. River boating is also a fantastic experience in Ireland, rent your own motor cruiser and cruise the River Shannon, Royal and Grand Canals and many other canals throughout Ireland.

Ireland is also famous as a cruising ground, experienced yachtsmen can rent an off-shore cruising yacht and explore the treacherous seas along the west coast where poor weather and tides create a deadly combination, making this type of sailing only suitable for the experienced yachtsman in the appropriate craft.

Discover coastal holiday homes in Ireland with sailing nearby.

coastal ireland

© 2012 Discover the Country. All rights reserved