Sail For Farleigh

In 2024 you can join Farleigh Hospice with Premier Sailing as we take to the seas around our coastline for the trip of a lifetime!

Imagine sailing around our wonderful coastline, enjoying the ever-changing scenery and wildlife, experiencing the challenges of tidal currents, rocks and sand banks, and entering our many historical ports from the sea. And imagine at the same time, being part of a fundraising venture for Farleigh Hospice.

Your trip includes

• Your own cabin
• Full Board
• Top quality fresh food
• State of the art wet weather gear
• No hidden extra charges
• Award winning skippers

Our yachts will visit many marinas and most, including Royal Quays, Rhu, Bangor and Whitehills, will donate the mooring fees to Farleigh Hospice. If you wish to support our crews on their voyage, and help Farleigh Hospice continue their vital work with those affected by life-limiting illnesses and bereavement please register your interest now!

No previous sailing experience is required, as our fully qualified RYA/MCA skippers will be with you throughout the voyage. You will have an opportunity to learn and develop a range of boat handling, navigational and watch keeping skills to suit your sailing level and experience. As with any voyage, you will be invited to help with the day-to-day jobs of running a cruising yacht.

Price

• Option 1: Pay £1047 and raise a minimum sponsorship of £500
  
• Option 2: Pay £1547 with no minimum sponsorship

To be paid 8 weeks before the trip commences i.e. 17 May 2024

The price is for full board (probably the best food afloat) and includes all fees, food on board, oilskins, fuel/gas etc. The only extra would be entertainment/meals ashore and getting to and from the boat. (NB: Experience suggests that crews tend to eat ashore once or twice a week).

All changeover ports have good transport links by train or air.

There are seven legs available, each is one week in duration. Information about doing multiple legs is available upon request.

The legs of our 2024 trip

LEG 1 Burnham on Crouch to Newcastle (14-21 July)

After a gentle sail to the historic port of Harwich and Shotley Marina, this leg will sail north to Lowestoft before setting off on the long, 24 hour passage to Whitby (the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula and the departure port of Captain Cooke’s ‘Endeavour’). The final destination on this leg is the River Tyne, where the staff at the Quay Marina in South Shields look forward to welcoming you.

LEG 2 Newcastle to Inverness (21-28 July)

What better way can there be of seeing British wildlife than by sailing to the Farne Islands? Seals, puffins, guillemots and razor bills are just some of the birds living on these waters. After anchoring in the lee of Lindisfarne Castle, you will sail over the Border to the fishing port of Arbroath (and sample delicious Arbroath Smokies). There will be a couple of long sails on this leg, but a must-see stop is the little village of Whitehills, before making your way to Inverness and the Caledonian Canal.

LEG 3 Inverness to Oban (via the Caledonian Canal) (28 July - 3 August)

Sailing alongside mountains, high above sea level, is a unique experience. Starting at Inverness you will rise up through the lock system and traverse this world-renowned feat of engineering that is the Caledonian Canal, linking the natural lochs of Loch Lochy, Loch Oich, Loch Ness and Loch Dochfour, and including the famous ‘Neptune’s Staircase’. This is a relaxing week cruising some beautiful inland waterways.

LEG 4 Oban to Rhu (4 - 11 August)

After visiting the beautiful Island of Kerrera, the sail to Crinan passes the islands of Jura and Scarba (and the famous Correyvechan – don’t worry, we will see it from a distance!) where you will negotiate the sea lock and the self-operated locks of the Crinan Canal. Then on to the wonderful Clyde Estuary calling at Largs and anchoring at Arran before arriving at Rhu.

LEG 5 Rhu to Milford Haven (11 - 18 August)

Following a visit to the picturesque fishing harbour of Portpatrick (a journey back in time) our route will take us across the Irish Sea to Bangor then a sail down the coast before crossing to Milford Haven.

LEG 6 Milford Haven to Plymouth (18 - 25 August)

First stop will be Padstow, a lovely port where the Harbourmaster promises a warm welcome. The journey to Padstow involves crossing the Bristol Channel with its very strong tides and busy shipping and where we may anchor at Lundy Island to watch basking sharks or porpoises. After rounding Land’s End we will explore the beauty of the Cornish coast, arriving in historic Plymouth Yacht Haven for afternoon tea.

LEG 7 Plymouth to Burnham (25 August - 1 September)

The final leg of our journey and a visit to Brixham followed by a long sail to Weymouth, passing Portland Bill and its famous race, before stopping at the Solent - home of British Sailing – to get our breath back. From Lymington it is a pleasant day sail to Brighton or Eastbourne for an overnight stop before continuing to our home port of Burnham where the Harbour staff promise a warm reception.