SOUTHWOLD is an attractive east coast town with a small all-tide harbour on the river Blyth about a mile to the south. Entry is relatively easy and the town makes a pleasant stop.

Approaches along the coast from either north or south present no real problems and the place is easily identified from the sea by the conspicuous white lighthouse. Entry to the harbour is between two small piers approximately 40 metres apart, on a recommended approach track of 330º. Once inside deeper water tends to be to starboard, though there is no guarantee of this and a close eye on the depth sounder is required anywhere near LW. For up to date information call the Harbour Master, Colin Carr, on T 01502 724712 or see the latest online plan.

The visitors’ quay is about half a mile inside the entrance on the north bank near The Harbour Inn. Before entering the harbour all vessels should call "Southwold Harbour" on VHF ch12 about half a mile off. This helps alert other vessels even when the office is not manned. Subject to directions, simply tie up to the quay which though somewhat ramshackle in appearance is perfectly satisfactory and offers water and electricity. In season you will probably have to raft up or take a visitors' mooring. Either way you are recommended to book in advance (harbour staff can be emailed on southwoldharbour@waveney.gov.uk).

Southwold Harbour is a place of character with a traditional approach to the boating life in an attractive rural setting. There are satisfactory eating opportunities on the quayside, and to get your appetite up you can walk upstream and cross the bridge to explore the pretty village of Walberswick on the other side, or take the ferry. Alternatively simply sit in the cockpit, glass in hand, and watch the sun go down over the Suffolk countryside.

Southwold itself is worth the walk for aficionados of genteel but pretty English seaside towns. Either head up the road or, more circuitously, along the beach to admire the pier and the tidy streets. Bizarrely George Orwell lived here in the early 1930s, but you couldn’t get anywhere further removed from the world of Nineteen Eighty-Four.

© 2008 Yachtpilot