Yachting the British Coast

Portsmouth lies on Portsea Island, a narrow peninsula that separates two inlets of the English Channel, Portsmouth Harbor to the west and Langstone Harbor to the east. Home to Britain’s Royal Navy, the city’s rich military history includes an historic dockyard that houses many notable ships, including HMS Warrior, the first iron-hulled warship, and HMS Victory, Admiral Horatio Nelson's flagship during 1805’s Battle of Trafalgar. Beyond military history, Portsmouth is marked by Spinnaker Tower, a 170-meter structure with sky-high observation decks providing views of the harbor. Browse the shops at Gunwharf Quays and explore Old Portsmouth for its pubs and restaurants, Portsmouth Cathedral, Royal Garrison Church, and Square and Round Tower, two historic defense towers dating to the fifteenth century. Relax and stroll the promenade at Southsea Beach, stretching from Old Portsmouth to the estuary, with King Henry VIII’s Southsea Castle jutting up to the water’s edge.

This picturesque seaside town on the south coast of Dorset is defined by its beautiful natural yachting harbor, maritime history, and award-winning beaches. The town’s name comes from the Old English pool and pol, both of which refer to places near water. It’s here that one finds watersports from paddleboarding to kayaking and nature trails perfect for spying local flora and fauna. Poole’s cobblestoned Old Town dates from the twelfth century, its street lined with Georgian buildings, local art galleries, and traditional pubs. Nearby, venture to Brownsea Island, tucked in the harbor, for its rocky beaches, wildlife, and namesake castle built by Henry VIII.

Dartmouth sits along the English Channel on the west bank of the Dart River estuary in Devon, England. As part of the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Dartmouth has long attracting yachting and boating enthusiasts. The castle, constructed in 1481, guards the entrance to the estuary, from which Richard I’s Crusaders set sail in 1190 over 400 ships gathered during the 1944 D-Day landings. The town’s rich naval history also includes the hometown of Thomas Newcomen, inventor of the first working steam engine in the early 1700s. Dartmouth charms with its historic colorful streets and traditional architecture, particularly its hidden gems, including painted family crests and narrow winding steps. Nearby, discover the secret known to locals: Blackpool Sands, a “Blue Flag”-awarded beach tucked away in a cove among evergreens and pines, named an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The Isles of Scilly, an archipelago off the Cornish coast of southwest England, is defined by its heathland and fringed by sandy beaches. On Tresco, one of the five inhabited islands in the archipelago, Tresco Abbey Garden is home to subtropical plants and the Valhalla Museum, displaying a diverse collection of artifacts. As a small, privately owned island, Scilly’s ambiance of exclusivity extends to its upscale cafés and art gallery. The tower of 17th-century Cromwell’s Castle stands north of Tresco and is one of a handful of stone fortifications that survive from England’s Interregnum (“between reigns”) period of 1649-1660.

A tranquil coastal town in Pembrokeshire, southwest Wales, Fishguard stretches along the north slope of the valley. Set across two parts, the main town is perched on the top of the hill, while Lower Fishguard hugs a small river that flows into an idyllic harbor, where SeaDream drops anchor. Ancient standing stones round the perimeter of Fishguard Parish, forming one of several clusters of Early Medieval standing stones in Wales. Beyond its public gardens of Dyffryn Fernant and Penlan Uchaf, the quaint fishing village is notable for its parish church, seaside cafés, and artisan shops and boutiques along High Street. Fishguard’s Royal Oak House is notable as the site of the signing of France’s surrender after 1797’s Battle of Fishguard, a brief military campaign during which Napoleon’s troops attempted to invade Britain, its story displayed in finely embroidered tapestry.

The islands of Great Britain, Ireland, the Isle of Man, the Inner and Outer Hebrides, the Northern Isles of Orkney and Shetland—and thousands of smaller islands—collectively comprise the dreamy British Isles. Rugged cliffs, sandy beaches, and intimate yachting harbors and ports allow a view of island life you haven’t experienced unless you have approached these destinations by yacht. Yachting through the remote Isles of Scilly and castle-dotted, rural Isle of Man transport you to otherworldly locations.

Northern Ireland’s thriving capital of Belfast offers historic landmarks and museums, including the Ulster Museum, the aluminum-clad Titanic Belfast, and the Metropolitan Arts Center (The MAC), located in Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter. Among shipbuilding and the production of rope and tobacco, the city paved the way in the world’s linen industry, and many of its linen houses still remain in the city’s historic Linen Quarter. Stroll the Botanic Gardens, designed in the 19th century by Sir Charles Lanyon. Named for the five caves along the Belfast cliffs, Cave Hill Country Park offers walking trails with incredible views dotted with ancient history, including the nineteenth-century Belfast Castle and the old stone McArt’s Fort, sitting 1,200 feet above sea level. Take in the city’s lively food scene, including St. George’s Market boasting local delicacies. As your gateway to Northern Ireland, Belfast is perfectly positioned for exploration of Giant’s Causeway, Game of Thrones filming locations, and bicycling beyond Belfast.

Sitting along the banks of the Clyde River, Glasgow is one of Northern Europe’s most endearing and culturally vibrant cities, boasting a variety of art and museums, galleries, luxe restaurants, and pubs. The city’s Gaelic name, Glaschu, fittingly translates as “dear green place.” Glasgow boasts an incredible architectural heritage, ranging from medieval times to the Victorian and Art Nouveau eras, set within a city full of abundant parks and green spaces, making it ripe for exploration. Glasgow is also home to Scotland’s national opera, ballet, and theater companies and is a UNESCO City of Music, presenting a lively music scene. Defined by a strong sense of community and welcoming ambiance, the dynamic city shines for diversity, from the city’s artsy West End to historic East End, home to the 12th-century Gothic Glasgow Cathedral.