Travelling
by ferry, catamaran or hovercraft is a more
affordable, but slower alternative of reaching
England from European ports like France,
Belgium, the Netherlands, Ireland, Spain,
Germany, Denmark, Norway or Sweden. You
can also bring your car with you.
P&O Portsmouth (*) http://www.poportsmouth.com
Portsmouth (South England) - Bilbao (Spain)
28/9/2004: P&O announced these services
will be closed:
Portsmouth (South England) - Caen (France)
Portsmouth (South England) - Cherbourg (France)
Portsmouth (South England) - LeHavre (France)
Brittany Ferries http://www.brittany-ferries.co.uk
Portsmouth (South England) - Caen (France)
Portsmouth (South England) - St Malo (France)
Poole (South England) - Cherbourg (France)
Plymouth (South England) - Roscoff (France)
Plymouth (South England) - Santander (Spain)
Condor Ferries http://www.condorferries.co.uk
Weymouth (South England) - St Malo (France)
Poole (South England) - St Malo (France)
Poole (South England) - Cherbourg (France)
Portsmouth (South England) - Cherbourg (France)
Emeraude Lines http://www.emeraudelines.com
St Helier (Jersey) - St Malo (France)
St Peter Port (Guernsey) - St Malo (France)
tel. 02 99 40 48 40
P&O North Sea Ferries http://www.ponsf.com
Hull (North-east England) - Rotterdam (Holland)
Hull (North-east England) - Zeebrugge (Belgium)
Norse Merchant Ferries http://www.norsemerchant.com
Liverpool (North-west England) - Dublin
(Ireland)
Liverpool (North-west England) - Belfast
(Northern Ireland)
Stena Line UK http://www.stenaline.co.uk
Stranraer (South-west Scotland) - Belfast
(Northern Ireland)
Holyhead (North Wales) - Dublin (Ireland)
Holyhead (North Wales) - Dun Laoghaire (Ireland)
Fishguard (South Wales) - Rosslare (Ireland)
Harwich (East England) - Hook of Holland
(Holland)
Irish Ferries (*) http://www.irishferries.com
Holyhead (North Wales) - Dublin (Ireland)
Pembroke (South Wales) - Rosslare (Ireland)
P&O Scottish Ferries http://www.posf.co.uk
Ferry services to Shetland and Orkney (north
Scotland)
Caledonian MacBrayne http://www.calmac.co.uk
Services to the various islands off the
west coast of Scotland, including Arran,
Mull, Iona, Lewis, Harris, Staffa, Holy
Island
Isle of Man Steam Packet Co http://www.steam-packet.com
Ferry services from the Isle of Man (west
England) to Liverpool, Belfast and Dublin
Lundy Company http://www.lundyisland.co.uk
Boat services from Ilfracombe, Bideford
or Clovelly to the small island of Lundy
(north of Devon) (passenger only: no cars)
Isle of Sark Shipping Co: http://sarkshipping.guernsey.net
Emeraude Lines: http://www.emeraudelines.com
Herm Seaways: no website
Boat services from Jersey or Guernsey to
the islands of Sark and Herm in the Channel
Islands (passenger only: no cars)
Houseboats
These usually accommodate four to 12 passengers
and can be rented for a weekend or several
weeks.
These houseboats resemble true barges and
are usually equipped with a kitchen, comfortable
sleeping cabins and a bathroom. When you
want to shop or eat or explore, tie up to
a tree and head ashore. There are lots of
places that rent barges, they can start
from Euro 1000 a week for a 2 person barge
so it's not a cheap way to travel.
Kayaking or Canoeing
For the more adventurous planning to do
your own sailing, kayaking or canoeing trip
then you need to prepare adequately. We
would assume people doing their own kayaking
or canoeing trips will have adequate experience
and skill on the water and examine the route
they are taking carefully. Some of the following
handy hints and absolute essentials should
be obvious: - a basic repair kit and safety
equipment for your boat. This will include
extra rope (make sure it is tied up and
out of the way), life jackets, a tow rope
(if you need to help someone out), flares
etc.
- extra snack food and water (it can be
a long way between towns in some parts,
particularly if you get marooned with an
injury or get lost!)
- pack light! You can buy extra food as
you go and you really only need basic water
gear and a change of clothes if you go into
towns.
- get some maps (detailed for any small
rivers that you might take)
- itinerary - give someone a copy of your
itinerary and check in with them every few
days so they know you are okay.
- learn some english that you will need
to use in small towns or on the water for
directions.
ACCOMODATION
Obviously this will depend on your mode
of transport. If you are coming ashore at
night you may consider some of the accommodation
options we offer through our booking
engine. If you are camping on a water
route make sure you practice low impact
camping (i.e what you bring in you take
away – note that on some water ways
even human waste is supposed to be brought
out)
SAFETY
Weather conditions can change fast on water.
Know the weather forecast and the expected
weather at that time of year. Also keep
an eye on tides and estimated sun down times.
Always take a medical kit with you. Remember
any trip on the water should be planned
bearing in mind it could turn into an overnight
trip even if it is supposed to be a 1-day
activity. The best solution for the first
signs of hypothermia are a warm, sweet drink.
Take a compass, first aid kit and additional
supplies of food and water with you.
USEFUL
LINKS
Ferrybooker.com: Ferries & tunnel to
England, Ireland and Europe
Ferry Quotes and Booking, Select your route
eg. Dover - Calais. http://www.ferrybooker.com/
AFerry.to
Book ferry crossings to/from England, Ireland,
England, Scotland, Spain, Greece, and Italy
online. Includes ferry timetable with real
time pricing and availability. http://www.aferry.to/
Travel By Ferry
Tour operator for deluxe cruises and customized,
travel in style tours to England, Austria,
Germany Scandlines http://www.backpackeurope.com/trans/ferry/
