From disused quarries, man-made lakes, rivers, estuaries and the coast – the UK has it all.

When most people think of sailing, their first thoughts turn to the sea – and getting on the water by the coast. Despite the fact that the UK is surrounded by coastline, many sailing clubs provide sailing inland – and there are many opportunities to get out sailing in some altogether different locations.

Whether you are a beginner or seasoned sailor, we are fortunate to have a very diverse range of sailing venues, with activity taking place anywhere from disused quarries to man-made lakes, rivers and, of course, estuaries and the coast.  From the beauty of the Lake District to the industrialised River Thames in London, sailing really can provide something for all the family – and the wide choice of sailing locations in the UK means that you can choose which venue works for you.

There are hundreds of clubs and training centres to explore, and so here we have chosen a few to illustrate the diversity of locations across the country, and their unique qualities and challenges.

HIMLEY HALL

Himley Hall Sailing Club is a small inland dinghy club in Staffordshire, North West of Birmingham, in the grounds of the stately Himley Hall.

As Tony Sutton, club commodore, explained, HHSC is not your average sailing club: “Based about as far away from the sea as is possible to get in the UK, and at around 15 acres, it is one of the smallest waters, which are so shallow that the advice to new sailors is “if you capsize, do not panic – stand up!”.

The wooden thatched boathouse which forms the clubhouse is steeped in history as the refuge of Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson during the abdication crisis. Today, the club is a recognised RYA Training Centre, having taught more than 1,000 adults to sail, and is looking forward to celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2020.

The club also has a strong youth offering. Young sailors can take part in the RYA OnBoard programme and the club also offers taster sessions for local youth clubs such as Cubs, Scouts, Brownies and Guides.

Tony concluded: “Although situated on the edge of the large Black Country conurbations of Dudley and Wolverhampton, the club is a haven of tranquility, and we are lucky to sail in such a unique environment in the beautiful gardens of a stately home which is steeped in history. Plus, there is always something new going on at Himley.”

CLEVEDON SAILING CLUB

To the South West, clubs face very different challenges – varying from the tides, as encountered by Clevedon Sailing Club near Bristol, to the narrow rivers of Severn Sailing Club, based on the River Avon close to Tewkesbury.

As a small club positioned on the promenade of Clevedon Beach, CSC enjoys a fabulous view across the Severn Estuary and of Clevedon Pier on the other side of the bay. The tidal range at Clevedon is the third highest in the world at 14 metres, meaning that the tidal streams are significant with only a very short period of slack water, which provides challenging sailing conditions.

Despite this, the club gets on the water whenever it can and, particularly for novice sailors who can find the conditions difficult, the club has the use of the recently restored Marin Lake which helps to get novices ready for the first launch off the slip.

Chris Cooper, vice commodore, said: “I hear it said many times that if you can sail at Clevedon then you can sail anywhere – we are a family orientated club looking to help each other get on to the water and enjoy whatever we can sail.”

SEVERN SAILING CLUB

Meanwhile Severn Sailing Club, on the River Avon in Worcestershire, was first formed in 1936, and has sailed from its current location since the 1960s.

The club has a great base of members and has a full racing calendar, not only during the summer on Wednesday evenings and both days of the weekend but also throughout the winter on an ad hoc basis. Camping and caravanning is allowed on the extensive site during the summer season on a temporary basis at weekends and during the week.

Being based on the narrow river (about 15 yards wide) provides a unique sailing experience, with local wildlife in abundance, and also gives the club the benefit of not just organising dinghy racing in front of the clubhouse for spectators but also long distance races down to the outskirts of Tewkesbury, passing a pub on the way for a well-earned pint. The club also has a cruising section, providing cruising opportunities.

Dave Holbourn, from the club, said “Severn Sailing Club has got to be the most versatile club around, with our facilities you can start to unwind on the Friday evening and stay all weekend or just pop down for the day.”

LONDON SAILING

London is host to 35 sailing clubs and centres providing numerous places to try sailing.

Stewart Keep, chairman of Shadwell Sailing Club, based on the Thames close to the London landmarks, explains that it is an excellent idea to try sailing at the club: “I have been sailing with the club since about 1985. I learnt to sail there and have enjoyed sailing on the river ever since. It is always different, operating with the various tidal conditions and, of course, the other river traffic which has increased over the years. We have all year access to the river and it is great to be able to take novices up river to Tower Bridge or down to Greenwich and the Thames Barrier. We are very lucky to be able to sail on such an exciting stretch of tidal water.”

THE BROADS

On the most eastern point of the UK are the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads, the man-made peat lakes, many of which are the venue for sailing clubs in the beautiful Broadland environment. With over 200 kilometres of navigable waters, it is a great place for all the family to explore.

Horning Sailing Club, in the heart of the Broads, is unusual in that it offers three types of sailing – on the River Bure through the pretty village of Horning, on Hoveton Little Broad some 20 minutes away and also regularly holds racing downriver to other Broadland villages – for dinghies, keelboats and river cruisers.

Paul Hallatt, whose son learnt to sail at Horning, explains the benefits it had brought to his family: “It opens doors to friends and sailing all around the world. Sailors are a fabulous bunch of outdoorsy, fun, adventurous people who know how to live. My son, Henry, learnt at Horning about 10 years ago and has now sailed 30,000 miles around the world before his 21st birthday. Dream big, and live your dream, start it this summer by trying sailing!”

TRY SAILING

Sailing really is for all ages and abilities who will enjoy the thrill of learning a new skill, meeting new friends and getting out in the fresh air. By joining a sailing club, you can give back to that community through volunteering and helping to run the club. So what are you waiting for? Give sailing a go in a new location this summer.

Want to find out more? The RYA is offering Try Sailing events across the country this summer – you can find out where by visiting www.rya.org.uk/go/trysailing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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