Topper Sailboats are recognized as the industry experts, creating sailboats that are easy to use, durable, fast, fun and family-friendly. Their boats have been tried and tested in locations right across the UK and the world. With that in mind, and to celebrate 40 years of the Southampton Boat Show, Topper Sailboats presents its top sailing locations, starting with the top ten UK sailing spots!

Salcombe, Devon
This beautiful spot has outstanding sailing areas, thanks to a naturally sheltered harbour. Pleasure boating and sailing provide the local economy with ongoing success.

Falmouth, Cornwall
Offering both sheltered and unsheltered waters, Falmouth has long been a popular boating and watersports location. Olympic development coach and Topper enthusiast Brian Phipps has his own sailing school located here.

Instow, North Devon
Widely used during the summer season, Instow Beach is also a great place to sail and enjoy watersports. Featuring calm waters, Instow Beach provides a perfect training ground for racing.

Cowes, Isle of Wight
Cowes is renowned for sailing, being home to the world famous Royal Yacht Squadron, which ranks amongst the world’s elite yacht clubs. The town gives its name to the world’s oldest regular regatta, Cowes Week, which occurs annually in the first week of August.

Chichester Harbour
Straddling the boundary of West Sussex and Hampshire, Chichester Harbour is a large natural harbour extensively used for a variety of sailing, from dinghy racing to yacht marinas. The Itchenor Gallon race for the International 14 was previously held in Chichester Harbour.

Pwllheli, North Wales
Located on the south side of the Lleyn Peninsular, Pwllheli provides access to some of the best sailing waters in the UK, including Cardigan Bay, Anglesey and harbours along Ireland’s east coast, all with the beautiful Snowdonian mountains as the backdrop.

Datchet Water Sailing Club, London
Located just half an hour from London, Datchet Water Sailing Club is set on the Queen Mother Reservoir, providing a complete package for every type of sailor. Large and flexible enough to provide year-round sailing from all boat classes, it is ideal for hosting sailing events of all levels.

Cardiff Bay, Wales
The Bristol Channel provides a challenging sailing ground in Cardiff Bay. Opportunities for cruising or racing are plenty and Cardiff Yacht Club offers many trophies and competition classes in year-round regattas.

Plymouth Sound
The Plymouth Sound is a hive of water activity, with the Royal Navy, commercial vessels and fishing boats all operating out of the harbour. There’s also an abundance of sailing opportunities, with marinas at Sutton Harbour, Mount Wise in the Hamoaze and at Turnchapel.

Whitstable, Kent
Established in 1904, the Whitstable Yacht Club is one of the oldest yacht clubs in England and takes part in local and national competitions throughout the year. Each year, the town also hosts the International Waterski Championships.

Those are some of the top UK sailing spots as recommended by Topper – other inspiring locations in the UK and around the world are:

Rhosneigr, on Anglesey – Plas Menai, North Wales – Largs, Scotland – Abersoc, North Wales – Hayling Island – Hamble, Southampton – Dartmouth, Devon – Torbay, Devon – Rock, Cornwall – Weymouth & Portland Harbour – Poole, Dorset – Milford Haven, Wales – Aldeburgh, Suffolk – West Kirby, Merseyside – Southport, Liverpool – Bridlington, Yorkshire – South Queensferry, Scotland – Grafham Water – Lake Windemere – Dover Harbour – Carmac, France – Collona, Antigua – British Virgin Islands, West Indies – Sydney, Australia – Auckland, New Zealand – Thailand – Phokaia, Turkey – Honolulu, Hawaii – Darhab, Egypt