East Coast Rivers map/Fernhurst Books

Following our successful 8-week visit to Holland last summer, for this New Year we’ve chosen to explore our very own East Coast with all of its fascinating rivers and creeks – all the way from Lowestoft and the Norfolk Broads down to Ramsgate, including the River Thames, up to the Pool of London, and the River Medway.

Up to the Broads…

We might start by going north – turning left out of the River Orwell and heading straight up to Lowestoft – Peter Duck’s home port – and passing through the harbour into the southern Broads, where the Teasel went in Coot Club.

Working our way back down the coast, we could take in the River Blyth, with Southwold, its brewery, pier and Sailor’s Reading Room, and pretty Walberswick on the opposite bank.

There’s the river with two names, the Ore and the Alde, entering by Orford with its Oysterage, up to Iken, Aldeburgh and (draught permitting) Snape.

Exploring home waters…

And Nancy Blackett’s second home river, the Deben, with picturesque Woodbridge, plus delightful anchorages at Waldringfield and Ramsholt, before returning to home waters – the Rivers Orwell and Stour, and ‘Secret Water’ itself – the Walton Backwaters.

Then south, exploring first the complex of rivers around Mersea and Osea Islands, the River Colne up to Wivenhoe and the Blackwater with Maldon, and then, further down the coast, the Rivers Crouch and Roach.

To the Thames and London…

And so to the Thames, up as far as Tower Bridge and St Katharine’s Dock, or straight across and into the Medway, with its many creeks and destinations such as Chatham and Rochester, and into the Swale (which as we all know isn’t actually a river) before passing Faversham and making for Ramsgate, probably our turning point before heading back and picking off the places we missed coming down, or liked so much that we would  want to encourage other crews to explore them.

Four counties – and a metropolis – full of maritime history, interesting sailing and great places to eat, drink and be convivial. This area is well served by public transport, so joining Nancy Blackett here, and leaving her there, is a realistic proposition.

Expressions of interest…

The programme of Summer cruises will run between mid-June and early August.

Its actual duration will depend on demand, and the interest shown early in the season – or even sooner – so please contact John Smith, our Sailing Secretary, with your expression of interest as soon as possible.

And finally…

If you are interested in experiencing a week exploring our East Coast rivers on Nancy Blackett this summer, then don’t forget that you need to be a Member of the Nancy Blackett Trust to sail on her – please join here if you aren’t already.

And to whet your appetite, we’ll be using “East Coast Rivers” as our cruising guide (available from our Shop), along with “East Coast Pilot” (available for 15% off with free UK postage direct from Imray with code NancyECP).