Top 10 places to sail along Britains coastline

England:

1) Norfolk and Suffolk coastline
With 250 miles (402 kilometres) of coastline, the East of England offers some of the best areas for sailing in the country and is home to the famous Burnham Week (burnhamweek.org.uk/) – the longest running annual yacht regatta on the UK mainland (August/September).

2) The Solent between Southampton and Isle of Wight
The ultimate yachting experience begins with Cowes Week. Held on the Isle of Wight in August, sailors of all ability and experience gather to enjoy a week of energetic races, including the well known “Round the Island Race”.

3) South East coast of England
This spectacular area includes Brighton, Hayling Island, Dover and Eastbourne. See the South East England (www.visitsoutheastengland.com/waterside/fitfastforty/intoaction/intoaction.aspx) website for more sailing information.

4) Devon and Cornwall coastline 
 The beautiful coast here offers plenty of wind to fill the sails. See the sailing in South West England (www.itsadventuresouthwest.co.uk/main/en/activity-SAIL-Sailing.html) website for more information.

5) The Channel Islands
Guernsey (www.visitguernsey.com/activities/) and Jersey (www.jersey.com/coastal/index.asp?bhcp=1) offer numerous scenic possibilities.

Wales:

6) The Gower Peninsula (www.enjoygower.com/activities/index.cfm)
This was the first area in Britain to be recognised as an area of outstanding natural beauty and you’ll soon see why when you sail its shores.

7) Pembrokeshire coastline
With its broad sandy beaches and a number of safe-haven harbours to moor in, there's plenty of scope for private sailing and watersports (www.visitpembrokeshire.com/activity_display.asp?activityID=15) or you can take up one of the many RYA courses available.

Scotland

8) Firth of Forth (www.fcyc.org.uk/forth.html)
This fine stretch of water near Edinburgh is great for day sailing and offers good opportunities for cruising longer distances, either up river to Bo'ness and Charleston or down river towards the harbours of the East Neuk of Fife on the north side and Dunbar on the south.

9) Firth of Clyde
Just west of Glasgow, the Firth of Clyde has been hailed as Britain’s most beautiful estuary. Sail around the beautiful island of Arran to some of the most picturesque harbours in the world and visit the spectacular bird sanctuary of Ailsa Craig.

10) Moray Firth
Located north of Inverness, you can even take a dolphin cruise here!

For more information on sailing in Scotland, see Scotland's marinas (sail.visitscotland.com/activities/marinas/).

For more information on sailing in Britain contact the Royal Yachting Association (www.rya.org.uk/).