The UK is packed with beautiful boating spots — but which ones are actually worth casting off for? We’ve ranked the top 10 based on four key criteria that matter to real boaters:
- Scenic Value – Natural beauty and uniqueness of the waterscape.
- Mooring & Facilities – Availability of pontoons, fuel, toilets, food, and gear.
- Safety & Conditions – Sheltered waters, predictable tides, clear signage, low collision risk.
- Accessibility – Ease of trailering in, launching, and availability of slipways or berths.
Each destination scores well across all four — making them ideal choices for your next trip. Our very own local Norfolk Broads wins Excellent moorings, boat hire options and of course pubs!
1. Norfolk Broads (England)
Why it ranks #1:
- Scenic Value: 125+ miles of tranquil rivers and reed-lined waterways
- Facilities: Excellent moorings, boat hire options, pubs at many moorings
- Safety: Calm, inland waters – ideal for new boaters and families
- Accessibility: Easy access via A11 and A140, lots of day and weekend boat hire companies.
2. Loch Lomond (Scotland)
- Scenic Value: Surrounded by dramatic highlands and forest
- Facilities: Marinas, cafes, visitor centres, boat hire
- Safety: Sheltered inland lake, but open water experience
- Accessibility: Hour from Glasgow, good roads and parking
3. The Lake District (England)
- Scenic Value: Stunning lakes like Windermere, Coniston
- Facilities: Full-service marinas, tourist hotspots
- Safety: Mostly calm but wind-sensitive; watch for weather
- Accessibility: Good road links, paid launch sites
4. Falmouth & Helford (Cornwall)
- Scenic Value: Classic Cornish coastline, historic harbour
- Facilities: Full marina services, chandlers, top food stops
- Safety: Sheltered estuary with access to open sea
- Accessibility: Well-connected, lots of trailer access
5. Caledonian Canal & Loch Ness (Scotland)
- Scenic Value: Highland lochs and mountain scenery
- Facilities: Locks, marinas, hire boats, pubs at each stop
- Safety: Managed canal system with guidance from lockkeepers
- Accessibility: Fort William to Inverness route with clear entry points
6. The River Thames (England)
- Scenic Value: Historic and varied, from Oxford to London
- Facilities: Excellent moorings, riverside towns, fuel
- Safety: Well-marked with many controlled locks
- Accessibility: Multiple slipways throughout southern England
7. Anglesey (Wales)
- Scenic Value: Rugged coastline, islands, marine wildlife
- Facilities: Beaumaris, Holyhead and Rhosneigr have decent services
- Safety: Tide-dependent; for more confident skippers
- Accessibility: Bridges connect to mainland, launch from multiple points
8. Broads National Park (Duplicate of #1? Combine or Remove)
Remove this or roll into #1 — they’re the same area. Consider replacing with:
8. Salcombe Estuary (Devon)
- Scenic Value: Estuary meets sea with lush green valleys
- Facilities: Classy marina, moorings, waterfront pubs
- Safety: Sheltered but busy — watch for traffic
- Accessibility: Narrow lanes, parking limited in high season
9. Firth of Clyde (Scotland)
- Scenic Value: Island-hopping views, remote coastlines
- Facilities: Marinas in Troon, Largs, and Rothesay
- Safety: Tidal planning required, but generally sheltered
- Accessibility: Ferries and roads make it manageable
10. Bristol Channel (Somerset/Devon/South Wales)
- Scenic Value: Open vistas, cliffs, rugged harbours
- Facilities: Portishead, Watchet, Ilfracombe all equipped
- Safety: One of the UK’s highest tidal ranges — advanced level
- Accessibility: Wide access points but tidal timing critical
