More and more British cruisers are discovering that there is plenty to see on their own doorstep

Mention the word cruising and for most people it conjures up images of the Mediterranean and Caribbean islands. But more and more cruisers are discovering that there is plenty to see much closer to home.

That’s why most cruise lines now offer British Isles itineraries that visit not just big cities by the sea but small coastal towns with oodles of charm.

And with land tours offering everything from drinks at the pub to tours of stately homes and gardens, it’s also becoming a growing attraction from overseas visitors.

Most cruises are one to two weeks and sail from Southampton or Dover between the warmer months of April and October, but there are other options that may take your fancy, such as sailing the idyllic coastlines and islands of Argyll and the Hebrides.

Belfast
The dynamic and energetic city of Belfast is famous for building the Titanic and has many museums to prove it. It also boasts a thriving arts scene, gourmet food markets and has many attractions to fill your day. A new cruise ship terminal opened in July 2019 to cope with growing demand.

Cork (Cobh)
Cork has more to offer than its famous Blarney Stone – despite its somewhat spectacular location atop the battlements of Blarney Castle. There’s also the gold leaf and dazzling mosaics of St Finbarr’s Cathedral as well as artisans working at traditional Irish crafts at the Shandon Crafts Centre.

Donegal
Gateway to the stunning cliff and inlet-strewn scenery of western Ireland, Donegal town offers access to the unusual 15th Century Donegal Castle, the remains of the Fransiscan friary, and the famous Magee tweedy factory where tweed from country cottages is finished off and made ready for the shops.

Douglas, Isle of Man
A pretty seafront is lined with picturesque hotels and restaurants, which can be viewed from horse-drawn trams. Places of interest include a medieval fortress in Castletown, a ruined castle on the Isle of St Patrick where tales of Vikings abound and the village of Cregneash, where people live in thatched cottages and practice traditional crafts.

Dover
Massive injections of funding has turned Dover into one of Northern Europe’s leading ports. Famed for its White Cliffs, it haas become the port of choice for over 20 individual cruise lines and around 200,000 cruise passengers with innumerable historic attractions throughout the region, including Canterbury and Leeds Castle.

Dublin
With beautiful architecture and historic places, Ireland’s capital is a great walking city with plenty to see and do.

Edinburgh (Leith)
The beautiful city is dominated by lofty Edinburgh Castle which towers over the city from the cone of an extinct volcano. Wander down the city’s Royal Mile, which winds past historic houses and inviting restaurants to Hollyrood House, home of the Roayl Family. Visit the superb collection of the National Gallery of Scotland and, for an impressive view over the city’s crags and spires, climb to the top of the Scott Monument.

Falmouth
The Cornish coastal town of Falmouth hosts some outstanding attractions, such as the Maritime Museum and Pendennis Castle, a 16th-century fortress built by King Henry VIII.

Galway
Once a Norman port, Galway was chartered back in 1484 by Richard III of England. Extensive trade with Spain resulted in some Iberian touches to the architecture, yet Galway somehow remains more Irish than any opther city in Western Ireland.

Greenock
Greenock grew from a fishing community to become the site of the first dock on the Clyde in 1711. In its heyday the shipyard built the QE2 but nopw it can only celebrate its maritime history at the Custom House Museum. Much of the west end of Greenock retains its impressive Victorian buildings, and the town is home to the world’s first Burns Club, with many of the founding members having known Robert Burns himself.
Harwich

Invergordon
The village of Invergordon lies in a particularly beautiful part of the Highlands of Scotland just five miles from the open sea. Its deep waters make it accessible to even the largest cruise ships such as the Queen Mary 2, and all the major cruise lines call between March and September. Tours to castles, distilleries and ancient battlegrounds send people home happy.

Kirkwall, Orkney Islands
The Orkney Islands can accommodate some of the world’s largest cruise liners and are a must see destination. Cruise ship visitors are given a street map with all the main tourism points of interest including relics of two World Wars, Britain’s most northerly cathedral, castle and distillery.

Lerwick, Shetland Islands
Lerwick has been welcoming cruise ships since the late 19th century, offering visitors a unique blend of both Scandinavian and Scottish culture, world-class natural scenery, and encounters with vast seabird colonies and diverse marine life. Attractions include Jarlshof, one of the most remarkable archaeological sites ever excavated in the British Isles, and Shetland Museum that provides a fascinating insight into Shetland’s diverse heritage.

Liverpool
For a taste of Liverpool’s rich shipping history you can sample the attractions of the restored Albert Dock – which include a branch of the Tate Gallery, fashionable shops and the Merseyside Maritime Museum. Then there’s the imopressive Cathedral, and who could visit the city without taking a trip down Memory (no, not Penny) Lane with The Beatles.

London
Cruises call at Greenwich, Tower Bridge and set sail from Tilbury, which is officially named the London Cruise Terminal. And everything the city has to offer is at your fingertips. There’s just too much to mention.

Plymouth
Sir Francis Drake set out to sail around the world from Plymouth’s Barbican. Enjoy a stroll along the promenade, drink in panoramic views of the waterfront and browse through shops housed in restored Elizabethan buildings.

Port of Tyne, Newcastle
The port’s location in North Shields is just eight miles away from the bustling city centre of Newcastle, renowned for the quality of its culture. The region is home to several UNESCO World Heritage sites, including Hadrian’s Wall, as well as Alnwick Castle, most recognised for its role as Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films.

Portsmouth
Cruise liners sail past the Historic Dockyard and famous warships, including Nelson’s HMS Victory, as they make their way into the award-winning Portsmouth International Port. Experience life on board King Henry VIII’s Mary Rose and, if you want to venture further afield, there’s easy access to Stonehenge, Salisbury Cathedral and Winchester.

Southampton
Southampton, from where the lion’s share of ex-UK cruises depart, has the added bonus of being on the edge of the sprawling, unspoilt New Forest, where wild horses roam and village pubs serve good ales and hearty British cuisine, while fascinating Winchester, with its magnificent medieval cathedral, is just 20 minutes away.

St Peter Port, Guernsey
Step ashore at this lovely harbour to enjoy stunning gardens, castles, and cobblestone streets lined with shops and cafes.

Waterford
Home to Waterford Crystal, whose factory tour and magnificent Visitor Centre/Gallery is a worthy centrepiece. The city is of Viking origins and boasts Europe’s oldest mortared fortress in Reginald’s Tower. The old city’s waterfront has been described as “the noblest quay in Europe”. Also worth a visit are Kennedy Park (an arboretum), Hook Lighthouses, Tintern Abbey, Duncannon Fort, and Dunmore East, arguably Ireland’s prettiest seaside village.