Ipswich

The River Orwell broadens into an estuary at Ipswich and flows into the North Sea at Felixstowe, after joining with the River Stour at Shotley. The writer Eric Blair chose the pen name under which he would later become famous — George Orwell — because of his love for this picturesque river.

Woolverstone Marina is based on the River Orwell below Ipswich, and set in 22 acres of glorious parkland with the Royal Harwich Yacht Club nearby. On site, there are a bar and a restaurant with great food and a picturesque outlook up the pretty river. Nearby, there are several noteworthy pubs including the ‘Butt and Oyster’ at Pin Mill. The marina is easily reached from the A12 and A14 and is only 4 miles from the centre of Ipswich and mainline train services.

Sailing upriver from the marina you arrive at the entrance to the Ipswich Waterfront, a hub of activity with a mix of restaurants, cafés and shops. You can berth here in one of the two secure marinas for a pleasant evening’s shore entertainment.

Sailing downriver, you can pick up a mooring and visit the hamlet of Pin Mill (featured in two children’s novels by Arthur Ransome) and the ‘Butt and Oyster’ pub and restaurant. Following the river down to Harwich you pass an abundance of birdlife and the occasional seal before arriving at the Port of Felixstowe, the UK’s largest container port.

Opposite Felixstowe is the ancient town of Harwich, which, because of its position as the only safe anchorage between the Thames and Humber, led to a long period of maritime importance. You can berth at the town’s Halfpenny Pier and have a great lunch or dinner at the Pier Hotel.

The River Stour merges with the Orwell at Harwich and forms most of the county boundary between Suffolk to the north and Essex to the south. The estuary has a marked channel which leads up to the town quay of Mistley some 8 miles inland. The river is wide, sheltered and very beautiful; the countryside is largely unchanged from the days when Constable’s paintings made it famous. There are many safe anchorages where you can enjoy the tranquility of this delightful river and the quay at Mistley lets you go ashore to the local pub and restaurant.

Heading south into Harwich Bay, you arrive at the Hamford River and Walton Backwaters, which were the setting for Arthur Ransome’s book ‘Secret Water’ and provide many navigable creeks to explore and perhaps anchor overnight. Titchmarsh Marina provides visitors berths and by arrangement Walton Yacht Basin can accommodate visitors. Walton on the Naze and the Naze Tower can be explored from here.

There are a number of navigable estuaries close at hand, providing interesting sailing in sheltered waters. To the south, the Colne and Blackwater estuaries offer varied sailing, while turning north takes you towards the River Deben where you can cruise upriver past Ramsholt to the pretty town of Woodbridge.

A little further up the coast is the Ore/Alde River, where a fast tide sweeps you past Havergate Island, up to picturesque Orford and on to Aldeburgh. For those wishing to head further afield, Ostend is only 80 miles from Ipswich. Holland and France are also within easy reach, as is the centre of London.