10 Best Cruising Destinations For History

The rich and colourful history of the British Isles means that almost every part of these islands has a unique story waiting to be discovered. Our experts have chosen harbours and anchorages which take you into the heart of some of these historic landmarks.

From anchoring underneath prehistoric standing stones and sailing past one of Henry VIII’s great Tudor forts, to paying homage to the graves of First and Second World War warships and cruising in the footsteps of the Anglo-Saxons, many of these places have played a pivotal role in shaping the history of the British Isles.

Hopefully this small selection of historic destinations will help you find out more about the past on your doorstep over a long weekend or become the focus of a longer voyage to sail back through history this summer.

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1 Scapa Flow, Orkney

LOCAL EXPERT Jonty Pearce

Covering an area of 125 square miles, Scapa Flow is the largest natural harbour in the Northern Hemisphere. With a history dating back to the Vikings, the scuttling of the German High Seas Fleet after the First World War and the loss of HMS Royal Oak to a 1939 U-boat attack add to its fame. Its strategic location inspired adoption as the Admiralty’s principal anchorage during both World Wars; enclosed within surrounding islands of Hoy, Burray, Graemsay and South Ronaldsay, its security was reinforced by blockships sunk at strategic entrances during the First World War and by the concrete block Churchill Barriers linking Burray and South Ronaldsay to the mainland. Aside from being a wreck-diving mecca, the Scapa Flow Visitor Centre, Stromness Museum, and the Italian Chapel make essential outings. Graveyard of fleets, cradle of ancient communities and haven for diverse wildlife, the waters of Scapa Flow will not disappoint.