coast DISCOVERY
Gone are the days when marinas were simply places to keep a boat. Now, they are thriving destinations for everyone to enjoy,
Most of the people out enjoying a sunny Saturday in Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth, Sutton Harbour in Plymouth or Sovereign Harbour in Eastbourne probably haven’t arrived by sea. Instead, the majority of visitors to these busy marinas will be landlubbers, through and through.
Yes, they might like looking at boats but really, they’re here because marinas are nice places to walk around and explore or sit outside a waterside restaurant with a chilled glass of white.
“They’re not just boatyards anymore,” says Andrew Lewis from Premier Marinas, which owns and operates ten marinas on the south coast. “Marinas are very much communities in their own right and great places to enjoy being by the water, even if you haven’t got a boat.”
The UK has around 560 marinas and the sector is thriving in the wake of a post-pandemic boom in boating and marine tourism. Berth occupancy levels are high and millions of pounds of investment is being poured in to improve infrastructure at sites up and down the country.
But linked to this is a growing realisation that marinas are the anchor of any coastal destination experience. They’re often where an area’s regeneration starts, bringing together new developments, communities and businesses.
Here we round up the marinas – large and small - that are much more than mooring:
Gunwharf Quays and Port Solent, Portsmouth
The UK’s island city is blazing a trail when it comes to showing how marinas can become full-on waterfront resorts. Gunwharf Quays, beneath the iconic Spinnaker Tower, welcomes boats of all sizes and has immediate access to the Solent and some of the best sailing on the south coast.
But you’ll also find 90 designer outlet shops and more than 30 places to eat and drink, some overlooking the berths. There’s also a multiplex cinema, bowling alley, casino, contemporary art gallery and a kids’ play park.
North of the city is Port Solent marina, where you can dine, shop, watch a film and go to the gym (all on the same day, if you want). There’s even a dog grooming spa. And there’s free parking.
While you’re here: Visit Gracie-Ann’s Tea Room at Port Solent for breakfast, lunch, amazing cakes and scones, all washed down with a decent coffee or fruit tea.
Troon Yacht Haven, Ayrshire
This picturesque spot was named Marina of the Year 2022, thanks to a £1.4 million investment that has seen a luxury hotel added to the site.
The Salt Lodge offers contemporary, comfortable and flexible accommodation, all the while overlooking the boats. You can sit on a balcony and watch the world flo
