North of Morecambe Bay and Barrow-in-Furness, the Cumbrian
shore is backed by glorious Lake District mountains, with
Whitehaven Marina nicely placed just beyond the red sandstone
scars of Saint Bees Head. Whitehaven is an unexpected treat, an
oasis of civilisation with a rich industrial history. About 30 miles
west of Cumbria, the Isle of Man is fun to explore and
a staging post for cruises to Ireland or Scotland. Seen from a
distance, its profile looks ancient and mysterious, with Snaefell
peaking at 2,037ft. The island has over 70 miles of coastline,
many picturesque bays, and good marinas at Douglas and Peel.
Yarning with locals for this article, I discovered that these unique
cruising grounds have a wealth of attractions completely unknown
to most southern boaters. For anyone finding English Channel
harbours too crowded or expensive, it’s not fanciful to imagine
ordering a low-loader, making a passage up the M6 and settling in
Conwy, Liverpool or Preston for a season or two. You’ll experience
a refreshingly laid-back style of cruising and a feeling of room to
breathe. One of the boat owners I spoke to said that he’d cruised
all over Europe in his time, but always returned to pottering around
the Irish Sea with affection.TRAVEL