Best sailing spots in the UK
Recently we covered some of the top cave diving spots in the UK, but that’s not all the beautiful UK coastline has to offer…
The UK contains over 130 permanently inhabited islands, so it has plenty of coastline to explore – and that means the best sailing spots in the UK can compete on the world stage.
England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland each have more than their fair share of stunning UK sailing destinations, and here we have picked out just one holiday hotspot from each of the UK’s four main members to add to your list of must-see UK sailing locations.
Antrim Coast
There really isn’t a bad spot to visit on the Northern Ireland coastline, but the Antrim Coast should be high on your list. Also known as the Causeway Coast, it’s a major meeting place for sailing enthusiasts of all kinds.
Stop in at Ballycastle for one of the prettiest ports – and port towns – you’re ever likely to see, with just one main street and a patchwork of brightly coloured houses. It’s a picture postcard backdrop within easy reach of coastal sights including the rope bridge at Carrick-a-rede and the remains of Kinbane Castle.
Kyles of Bute
Located north of the Firth of Clyde and the Isle of Arran, the Kyles of Bute are a sea inlet that separate the Isle of Bute from the neighbouring Cowal Peninsula and offer some of the northern UK’s most stunning scenery.
Sail alongside rocky outcrops and wooded shores, and look out for houses dotted along the coastline. This really is one of the most beautiful parts of the country, and one of the best sailing destinations in Scotland.
Llyn Peninsula
Head to the North Wales coastline to visit coastal resorts including Abersoch, which has the hills of Snowdonia as its hinterland and is a popular sailing hotspot for UK boating enthusiasts.
The North Wales climate can be relatively mild and calm throughout the year, and although there are seasonal variations, the Llyn Peninsula often offers preferable sailing conditions compared with other spots along the coasts of North Wales and north-west England.
Weymouth
The Dorset seaside town of Weymouth has always been popular for sailing, but cemented its status as a top UK sailing destination when it was chosen to host events in the London 2012 Olympic Games.
It’s home to the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy and the sheltered waters of Weymouth Bay, adjacent to Portland Harbour, which makes for a good combination of conditions on the water and essential services on the shore.
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