Bookings are now open for our 2024 summer sailings. Contact us for reservations.
We have finally managed to find time to finalise our itinerary for next summer's sailing adventures. Dates, prices and details are now posted on our web site. The season revolves around circumnavigation of the English Channel. We will sail along some of the most beautiful coastlines, see abundant wildlife, sample the food and wines of France, and visit some of the most significant landmarks of our islands history. Each French leg starts and finishes in a ferry port or near a main line station to simplify immigration procedures and facilitate low carbon travel.
We start in May with some short voyages from the Ex to nearby ports in Devon and Dorset.
From the first of June we head off east along the south coast of England to Dover.
The first stage (1-9 June)takes us past the Jurassic coast to the Solent, were we will stop of in Portsmouth with time to visit the Victory and Mary Rose museum. Then on via the south coast harbours to the bustling port of Dover.
From Dover we will deliver Snark over to Calais were we will board our next adventurers to start exploring the north French coast.
Calais to Caen (15-23 June) takes us past the holiday beaches of northern France, to the pretty harbours of Fecamp and Honfleur as well as the larger ports of Boulogne and Dieppe.
From Caen (29 June - 5 July) we travel along the coast of invasions, through Pegasus Bridge, along the Normandy Invasion beaches, with time to visit to Bayeux to see famous tapestry, and on to the naval port of Cherbourg.
The stage from Cherbourg to St Malo (9-15 July) includes some of the most challenging sailing of the voyage, through the notorious Alderney Race (at slack tide so not too bumpy!) and down through the rocky waters of the western Normandy to the walled city of St Malo, just in time for the Bastille Day fireworks.
We have allowed a week (20-28 July) to explore the North Brittany coast west of St Malo, with its beautiful granite coastline, pretty holiday islands and historic ports. Wind and tide will determine our exact schedule on our way to Roscoff, but there will be plenty of time to enjoy the beautiful beaches, great sea food and challenging sailing.
The long passage from Roscoff to Isles of Scilly is very weather dependant and needs auxiliary crew. So instead we will return to the UK (3-11 August) via the Channel Islands, making the channel crossing the shortest way from Braye on Alderney to Portland Harbour. This stage is about off shore sailing with several all day passages and less port time.
Topsham to Truro (17-26 August) will take us up all the navigable rivers on the south Devon and Cornwall coast starting in Topsham then Totnes, Kingsbridge, St. German (on the Lyhne), Cotehele (on the Tamar), Fowey, Helford and Truro. A fantastic mix of beautiful rivers and stunning coastal scenery with a good helping of wild life and sailing thrown in!
And finally we head off from Falmouth to the Isles of Scilly (31 August - 8 Sept) with several days to explore the pretty islands and remote anchorages, enjoy the wonderful fresh produce and barbeque on the white sand beaches. Sea swimming an option (it can still be a bit cold in the Atlantic waters)
We end our voyage in the Fowey river and visit Tom's Boatyard for some end of season works before we head back to the Ex and up the ship canal to Exeter for another Winter Dining season.
Our online holiday booking system is still in development and so we are taking bookings manually. Please message us with you preferred dates and accommodation option and we will take it from there.
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