Explore the Beautiful Cornish Coast.

IDEAL VOYAGE FOR…

Anny is not racing but she is taking part in the Parade of Sail at Falmouth Classics (Sunday). Those who love lots of sail handling and an opportunity to set as much sail as possible and make a scene. Anny of Charlestown is a topsail schooner so she has a lot of sails for her size. What better place to go out on the water and pose than at Falmouth Classics. 

A good one for photographers too with local Falmouth Working Boats, luggers, classic yachts and pilot cutters all clustered in Falmouth Yacht Haven in the evening. The shanty festival will be in full swing when you join Anny, and in many ways it sounds better drifting across the water to you than wading through the crowds of sailors ashore.

After the Parade of Sail Anny will spend the rest of Sunday and monday sailing along the South Coast of Cornwall to Charlestown. It is not far in miles and could easily be done in a days sailing, so this is a great voyage for beginners or those who are happy to coastal wander without a tight itinerary.

Ethical travellers who don’t want to fly for an interesting holiday and relish a few days without a car, travelling under sail.

VOYAGE HIGHLIGHTS

• coastal hopping along the Cornish coast
• ideal gift for a friend or treat for yourself
• Manourvrable ‘pocket’ tall ship to sail
• Good for solo travellers – make new friends when doing activities together
• Affordable for groups – 8 guests in 3 cabins
• Perfect dettox from modern life
• NO FLY HOLIDAY – Round trip – green travel under sail
• Come by train (Falmouth and St Austell stations for either end)

 

FULL VOYAGE DESCRIPTION

An affordable tall ship taster encompassing the best of Cornwall’s traditional maritime scene in one 3 day trip. Falmouth Classics Festival has grown every year since it was moved to June instead of peak season. The double treat of live music on every quayside with the international Shany Festival combined with and wooden masts everywhere for the classics racing is an event that is popular with locals as well as holidaymakers.

The Parade of Sail fast tracks you all into being schooner crew as you sail in a big fleet around the deep water harbour of Falmouth. After a few laps of honour you can escape to coastal waters and the open sea to enjoy the rest of your sailing holiday.

On a sailing voyage we never use the word itinerary, as skippers will always be aiming for the best sailing and shore landings for the forecast and most idyllic or sheltered anchors and ports. They are as keen as you to include some of the highlights described below, but you have to go with Mother Nature, not fight her. The description below is based on what we think might be possible, based on past trips, or experience, but nothing is guaranteed on a sailing voyage.

Falmouth Classics – Shanties & Parades of Sail

Collected from Custom House Quay in Falmouth, amid the festivities of the Classics, and taken out to the ship at Carrick Roads, you’ll spend Saturday evening meeting the crew, getting familiarised with Anny and enjoying dinner aboard. After a hearty breakfast, Sunday morning sees your trip start in style, taking part in the Parade of Sail to mark the end of the Falmouth Classics celebrations. After the Parade, you’ll set off, likely sailing in company with some other beautiful vessels.

Helford River to Fowey & Lantic Bay

It is not far if you were to sail directly to Charlestown, but the rest of your short break is about enjoying exploring the Cornish coast in the time available. that might mean a spot of wild swimming from a beautiful Roseland beach, or interesting mooring manoeuvres into tiny Mevagissey to pick up some fresh crab.

This is Anny’s backdoor and her skippers Ed or Phil know it well. 

Home to the Port of the Poldark TV Series

You may recognise Charlestown Harbour from countless film and TV productions. It is still used today for filming and you can imagine the characters striding down the quay or joining a ship like Anny in UK programmes like Poldark, Taboo and the Three Musketeers. This Georgian Harbour has been kept as original as possible with cobbled wharves and a small fleet of resident tall ships clustered in the wet dock.

It is not always possible to come into the inner harbour with Anny but it is always rather special if you do. if the tide is low then going ashore by ships boat can be equally exciting as the harbour walls are high and the tidal range is big. Charlestown Harbour is fast becoming a foodies night out with good waterside restaurants and pubs, so it is a great last night…..or you might choose to go to a nearby beach for a BBQ

WINDS, WAVES & WEATHER

The beauty of coastal wandering in local waters over a couple of days is the skipper can find the best sailing angles for the most enjoyable sailing. Mevagissey Bay, , Falmouth Bay, St Mawes Bay, Gerrans Bay, all can offer sheltered waters in certain wind directions and the vast Plymouth other Harbour behind its breakwater offers options to the East. Not so easy to sail up unless you like a challenge, but equally fascinating are the drowned river valleys of Cornwall. The wooded tidal Rivers of Fowey, Fal and Helford, offer still waters and places to moor up and shelter from wild weather. Surrounded by nature it’s not a bad place to ever be storm bound.

In fine weather you can head as far offshore as you want for more wind, ocean swell and a good blast.

HANDS ON HOLIDAYS

Whether you are an experienced sailor or a complete beginner, the professional crew will train you to be guest crew from the moment you arrive, with the intention that everybody works together to sail the ship. The common thread to all Classic Sailing holidays is ‘Hands on’ participation on ships that use ropes, blocks and tackles and ‘people power’ to set sail.

SAILING STYLE & LIFE ON BOARD

We cater for a wide range of ages and physical abilities and how much you are expected to do varies a bit between vessels. See the vessel tab above which explains all about the ‘sailing style’ and what to expect in terms of hands on participation. There is a lot of information about day to day life, the ships facilities and accommodation on the vessel pages.

AGILITY & FITNESS

Every customer sailing with us will need to fill in basic medical questions on their booking application. If you are not sure if your current level of fitness and agility are up to a voyage, then please ring the Classic Sailing Office on 01326 53 1234 and we can chat through your concerns and possibly find options that might suit you better.

 

Included

• Sailing Instruction 
• Safety Equipment (Life jackets and harnesses) 
• All meals to include refreshments throughout the day
• Bed linen, duvet, pillows 
• Waterproof jacket and trousers - but you are welcome to bring your own if you prefer

What is not included 

• towels
• Alcoholic beverages
• Towels
• wellie boots

What to Bring

Please limit yourself to one soft bag or rucksack as there is limited storage space on board. No suitcases please! 

Anny does have waterproof jacket and trousers you can borrow in a variety of sizes. if you have your own outdoor waterproof of any type you might want to bring your own so you know you can get a good fit.

 If you need any advice please ring us on 01872 580022

• warm, windproof jacket for days when you don't want to wear a heavy waterproof jacket
• Hats for sun and cold weather.
• At least two sets of warm clothes - layers e.g. tracksuit bottoms, shirts, fleece jacket, wool jumpers, thick socks, and neck scarf. It can get cold at sea even in mid summer.
• Swim suit, towel, and suntan lotion.
• Flat shoes with a good grip e.g. trainers or sailing deck shoes.
• Sailing boots or wellies as the sea can come over deck if rough*.
• (An alternative to boots in summer is to bring another pair of flat shoes with a good grip in case the first pair get wet).
• All terrain type sandals are great for dinghy trips ashore – but you do need shoes which protect your toes for sailing.
• Scillies trips – Walking boots are useful and can be these can be worn on Pilgrims deck too
• A small rucksack is useful for going ashore 
• Camera, binoculars, sketchbook, a relaxing read.
• Passport for French Voyages, Reciprocal Free Health Care card in Europe.
• Please bring a passport on French trips 
• Any medication, spare spectacles. Seasick tablets - check with your Doctor, which brand if you suffer asthma or are on medication.
• RYA Cruising Logbook or similar if you want to log your sailing experience e.g. sea miles, night hours
• Musical instruments are always welcome.

Anny does not always have wine bottles for sale on board so you are welcome to bring modest quantities of alcohol e.g. to drink with evening meals, but drinking whilst sailing is not allowed.

 

Anny is a new Charter boat owned by Charlestown Harbour. 2020 will be her first season in Cornwall, offering residential sailing holidays, so we don't have any feedback yet from her sailing guests.

Anny has been in the dock in Charlestown since 2019, but the lovely living space aboard Anny has not been unoccupied.  She has been offering Air B&B and tourists and travellers have been taking advantage of the unique setting in Poldark's famous port.

 

Here are a few Air B&B reviews for Anny this winter.

 

Alex 2019:

Anny is an absolutely stunning boat, and the crew could not have done more to make our stay magical and relaxing.

 

Neil 2019:

We had such a great weekend on Anny. She is a beautiful boat and the photos don't do her justice. She is well kitted out with a very comfortable galley area and the beds are all very comfy and cosy.

 

Laura 2019:

Beautiful clean boat, duvets and bedding amazing. Great hospitality! Would totally recommend this lovely boat.

 

Raymond 2020:

The ship is a beautiful unique way to spend your nights. Great facilities, stunning interior and the harbour is kept perfectly smooth from the sea barrier. Steeped in history Charlestown is a fascinating place to spend a few days! I would definitely recommend anyone and everyone to book here and give it a go. You won’t regret it!

Anny of Charlestown is a beautiful topsail schooner operating on the Coast of Cornwall for the first time, after years as a charter vessel in Europe and the Caribbean (as Fiddlers Green). She was built in Denmark in 1930 and her massive oak timbers create that homely and solid feel that only wooden sailing vessels can provide. We think she will turn many heads along the headlands, beaches and historic ports of Cornwall as well as further afield. A great mix of gaff sails and square sails on this pocket tall ship that only sleeps 8 guest crew.

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