Yacht cruising is all about escaping the crowds and discovering new places. There is nothing better than sailing into a bay, river or cove and dropping the anchor in splendid isolation with just the wind, sea, landscape and wildlife for company. The UK and the Irish coastlines boast some of the most stunning and varied spots in the world.

But it’s not always easy to find anchorages that are sheltered and secure with beautiful scenery and interesting places ashore, and that’s where this guide comes in. Between them, our panel of highly experienced cruisers have hugely detailed knowledge of every part of the coast of the UK and Ireland. Their recommendations can be trusted to take sailors off the well-sailed routes into some of the very best anchorages these islands have to offer, from hidden havens and peaceful boltholes with stunning views to must-visit places to stop off and watch the sun set. This guide provides inspiration and new ideas for cruising sailors, while also providing useful navigational information to assist with sailing into each new anchorage. The anchorages are grouped geographically and each one is accompanied with brilliant photography, a handy map and a description of the place, covering why you should to go there, any hazards to look out for, and information on shelter and facilities available.

Anchorages of the British Isles is the perfect planning guide for day trips, weekend getaways or summer breaks to explore cherry-picked, lesser known locations and make the most of the beautiful coastline. Get ready to cast off the lines and discover the finest spots to drop anchor along the coasts of the British Isles.