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Tall ships are not just historic relics; they are working vessels you can still crew today. You can sail aboard them, see them at festivals, or visit preserved ships in museums. Here’s how.
Sailing on a Tall Ship
You can still go to sea on tall ships operating from UK ports. These are not cruises; you join the crew. Classic Sailing specialises in arranging places for individuals and groups on a range of historic and replica vessels.
Most voyages are hands-on. You take a turn at the helm, haul on lines, climb the rigging if you choose, and keep watch at sea. Beginners are welcome. Training is given on board and there’s always professional crew supervising.
Voyages range from short day sails and weekend trips to longer passages across the Channel, around the Hebrides, or across the Atlantic. Prices vary: short sails start from about £150, while extended ocean passages can run into several thousand pounds.
For families, most ships set a lower age limit — often 12 years old. For older sailors, fitness and mobility matter more than age. If you can manage a ladder and move about on deck, you can usually take part.
Climbing the rigging is part of life on a sailing tall ship. It’s always optional and always supervised, with proper safety harnesses. Few other experiences give the same perspective on a ship under sail.
Classic Sailing’s role is to match you with the right ship. Each vessel has its own style of sailing, from traditional pilot cutters to big square-rigged barques. The aim is to help you find the experience that fits your appetite for adventure.
Sailing in the UK.
Tall Ship Festivals in England
Festivals and regattas bring tall ships and classic craft together. Some are annual fixtures, others occasional, but all offer the chance to see ships under sail or alongside.
The ASTO Small Ships Race runs every autumn in the Solent for youth sail training vessels. Classic Sailing’s Pilot Cutter Review takes place each early summer in Cornwall, drawing together many of the surviving and replica pilot cutters. The Falmouth Classics festival combines a regatta of traditional yachts with the International Sea Shanty Festival, filling the town and harbour with music and sail.
Other popular events include the Brixham Heritage Regatta, the Brixham Pirate Festival (a separate family event), the Dartmouth Royal Regatta, Charlestown Regatta Week, and the Whitby Regatta.
Occasionally, London hosts the Greenwich Tall Ships Festival as part of the international Tall Ships Races, attracting square-riggers from across Europe.
These festivals are lively, often with shore-side activities, parades of sail, and the chance to step aboard visiting ships. Dates vary, so check the organiser’s programme when planning.
The Tall Ship Races.
Static Tall Ships You Can Visit
Across the UK, preserved tall ships and historic vessels are open to the public year-round. These ships are afloat in dock or displayed in dry dock, and most have visitor centres.
Opening times vary by site, but most are open year-round. Always check seasonal schedules before you travel.
| Vessel | Location | What makes it special | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cutty Sark | Greenwich | Last surviving tea clipper, famed for speed on the China trade. | cuttysark.org.uk |
| SS Great Britain | Bristol | Brunel’s pioneering ocean liner; iron hull and screw propeller changed ship design. | ssgreatbritain.org |
| HMS Victory | Portsmouth | Nelson’s flagship at Trafalgar, under active conservation. | historicdockyard.co.uk |
| HMS Warrior (1860) | Portsmouth | First iron-hulled, armoured frigate combining sail and steam. | historicdockyard.co.uk |
| HMS Trincomalee | Hartlepool | Oldest warship afloat in Europe, built 1817. | hartlepoolmaritimeexperience.com |
| Glenlee | Glasgow | Only Clyde-built sailing ship still afloat in the UK. | thetallship.com |
| RRS Discovery | Dundee | Took Scott and Shackleton to Antarctica in 1901. | rrsdiscovery.co.uk |
| HMS Unicorn | Dundee | One of the oldest ships afloat, launched 1824. | hmsunicorn.org.uk |
| Golden Hinde | London | Replica of Drake’s galleon from his circumnavigation. | goldenhinde.co.uk |
| The Matthew | Bristol | Replica of Cabot’s caravel from 1497 Newfoundland voyage. | matthew.co.uk |
| HMS Gannet | Chatham | Victorian sloop restored to her 1880s appearance. | historicdockyard.co.uk |
FAQ
Can I sail on a tall ship in the UK?
Yes. Several tall ships still operate from UK ports. Classic Sailing arranges voyages aboard historic and replica vessels, ranging from day sails to ocean crossings.
Do I need experience to join a tall ship voyage?
No. Beginners are welcome. Professional crew provide all training and supervision.
What does it cost to sail on a tall ship?
Day sails start around £150. Longer expeditions and ocean passages cost more, often several thousand pounds.
Are tall ships accessible for families and children?
Yes. Museum ships welcome families. For sailing voyages, the minimum age is usually 12 years.
Can you climb the rigging of a tall ship?
On sailing tall ships at sea, climbing the rigging is part of shipboard life. It is always optional, supervised, and done with harnesses and safety gear. Some static ships, like Cutty Sark, also offer supervised rig climbs.
What are the main tall ship festivals in England?
The ASTO Small Ships Race in the Solent runs each autumn for sail training vessels. Classic Sailing’s Pilot Cutter Review takes place each early summer in Cornwall. Other highlights include Falmouth Classics, the Brixham Heritage Regatta, Brixham Pirate Festival, Dartmouth Royal Regatta, Charlestown Regatta Week, and the Whitby Regatta. Occasionally, the Greenwich Tall Ships Festival brings international square-riggers to London.
Where can I see tall ships in the UK without sailing?
Preserved ships are open to the public year-round. These include Cutty Sark (Greenwich), SS Great Britain (Bristol), HMS Victory and HMS Warrior (Portsmouth), Glenlee (Glasgow), RRS Discovery and HMS Unicorn (Dundee), HMS Trincomalee (Hartlepool), Golden Hinde (London), The Matthew (Bristol), and HMS Gannet (Chatham).
Which tall ships are open to the public all year?
Cutty Sark, SS Great Britain, HMS Victory, HMS Warrior, Glenlee, RRS Discovery, HMS Unicorn, and the Golden Hinde generally operate year-round, though times vary seasonally.
What’s the oldest tall ship in the UK?
HMS Trincomalee (1817) is the oldest warship still afloat. HMS Victory (1765) is older but fixed in dry dock as Nelson’s Trafalgar flagship.
Is the Great Eastern still preserved?
No. The Great Eastern was broken up in 1889–90. Bristol’s preserved ship is SS Great Britain, Brunel’s iron steamship.What’s the difference between HMS Victory and HMS Warrior?
HMS Victory is Nelson’s flagship from Trafalgar, a wooden ship-of-the-line. HMS Warrior, launched in 1860, is an iron-hulled, steam-assisted warship marking the transition to modern navies.
