When it comes to boating excursions on holidays, you have to explore the top destinations to discover natural serenity. Here in the UK, there are plenty of boating destinations to sail through a new experience.
If you are new in the world of boating and planning to buy one for the next boating season, then you better start to learn more about boats.
Boats can be of three main variants- motorboats, sailboats, or man-powered boats like kayaks, rafts, etc. Furthermore, there are more divisions based on popularity. Some of them are-
1. Fishing boat.
2. Bowrider boat.
3. Deck boat.
4. Houseboat.
5. Jetboat.
6. Banana boat.
7. Pontoon boat.
8. Catamaran boat.
9. Dinghy boat.
10.Cabin Cruiser boat, and many more.
You can buy either a brand new or a used boat for your boating excursion. Depending on models and size, boat prices can range from five thousand pounds to over a hundred thousand pounds. To know more about boats for sale, you can check online boat vendors. Once you have found your dream boat, it is time to adventure to new destinations. Let's find more about the best boating destinations in the UK.
1. Thames River
The Thames has been the heart of London for over a thousand years. Every English life has an intimate relationship with the river Thames. This river has stretched over 200 miles and its basin size is nearly 5000 square miles.
The Thames flows through England's iconic metropolitan capital London and to the distant picturesque English countryside. It is also one of the major transport routes in all of Great Britain. Historically, Thames water is cleaner than other rivers and attracts recreational boaters kayaking, sailing, rowing all throughout the river.
There are plenty of agencies to offer boats for recreational boating, or you can take yours to enjoy the serenity of this river. Other than that, the Thames Path is the longest riverside walking trail in all of Europe.
If you are tired of boating, you will find tons of restaurants on both sides of Thames. From Indian cuisine to Mediterranean dishes, there are several unique dining options to satisfy your appetite. Besides, the tidal Thames has over 125 fish species like salmon, zander, trout, catfish, and more. So, including fishing on excursions is never a bad idea.
The Thames has two main sections- tidal and non-tidal; Both of these sections offer unique landscapes to explore. If you are planning boating on the Thames, don't miss out on the popular hotspots in non-tidal zones like Windsor Castle, Oxford, Henley-on-Thames, Abingdon, and Hampton Court Palace.
On the other side, tidal Thames is one of the busiest due to commercial and recreational boaters. To sail in the tidal Thames, you need to have extensive experience in boat navigation and a marine band VHF radio license. For a beginner's expedition, the tidal Thames can be challenging because of its tidal streams, variable depths, and resulting currents.
2. The Boards
Boards are a network of rivers and lakes that run all throughout Britain. The Boards covers more than 300 square kilometers and connects to most counties like Suffolk, Norfolk, Norwich, and more. The loch-free waterways are nearly 125 miles and it's wetland spans from Dilham in North to Beccles in South.
Because of easy waterway navigation, it is one of the best suitable boating destinations for any holiday excursion. Instead of saying Norfolk and Suffolk board, some people mistakenly call it Norfolk board. That is because almost two-third of the board lies in Norfolk boundaries.
The Boards is also attractive for its waterside pubs and restaurants. Some tourists repeatedly visit boards because of its unique landscape. Other than that, fishing, bird watching, and water-side cycling are on every visitor's hit list.
If you are going to Boards for the first time, don't forget to take a few clicks on the camera. The picturesque village and waterway will surely tempt you to capture some snaps during your boating expeditions.
In case you choose Boards for your next boating expedition, don't miss the popular destinations like Potter Heigham, Woodbastwick, Horning, Stalham, Ranworth, and Acle. Other than that, do visit Wroxham. It is a small popular town that most people consider as the capital of Boards.
Wroxham is one of the best places to start a boating expedition. This is a place to meet different boat experts and rent different categories of boats for new ventures. On the other side of the village, there is a twin village named Hoveton. Hoveton is popular for boatyards and local boat businesses.
3. Cornwall
This is a peninsula located in western England. Cornwall is bordered by the English Channel in the southeast and the Celtic Sea in the Northwest. Cornwall is unique for boating enthusiasts because of its 400 beaches near the coastline.
These coastlines are also studded with fishing villages and harbor towns. Besides tons of water-based activities, there is more to explore the landscape of Cornwall. If you feel tired after spending an afternoon on its golden sandy beaches, take a break and visit its pubs and restaurants.
The entire coastline has three main divisions to explore- North, South, and West. The northern coastline is more distended to the Atlantic and it is more rugged than other coastal divisions. You will find most fisherman's boats on the northern coastline. Some of the best spots of North include Bude, Rock, Padstow, Port Issac, Tintagel, etc.
The southern coastline is famous for its eye-catching estuaries and wide ranges of National Trust properties. The south coastline is also the home of the sailing mecca of Falmouth- the best sailing spot in the entire UK. Besides, the lost garden of Heligan and The Eden Project are the two best attractions in this region that are frequented by tourists from all over the world.
If you want to discover Cornwall's past, then move to the west. You will find iron age villages, stone circles and historic mining settlements to discover Cornwall's history. The most southerly point of Cornwall's land is also the most westerly point of the land and it is popularly known as Lizard Point.
Other than regular boat trips, the west coast is highly popular for surfing. Some of the best west coastal locations include Helston, Hayle, Mullion, St. Ives, Porthleven, Sennen, Redruth, Marazion, Mousehole, Penzance, and Camborne.
Final Verdict
Nothing is more thrilling than a boat expedition in hot summer holidays. If you pick any of these boating destinations, you will end up with a lifetime of memories and incredible boating experiences! Happy boating!
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
