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BURNHAM-ON-CROUCH
OUR SAILING BASE

Burnham-on-Crouch is the home base of Academy Sailing, the only RYA-recognised sailing school offering sailing courses and holidays from the Essex coast. Often described as the “Cowes of the East Coast”, the town has a rich maritime heritage and provides an ideal setting for learning to sail within easy reach of London.

Historic Burnham-on-Crouch High Street
Burnham-on-Crouch waterfront near Academy Sailing

Visit Essex describes Burnham-on-Crouch as a “quiet, unspoilt riverside town known as the Cowes of the East Coast”, with a quayside full of “old-world charm, listed buildings, boat-building yards and sailing clubs”. 

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It is true that Burnham-on-Crouch is a beautiful and quaint small rural town with wonderful charm. Maritime history is rich here and still beats strong in Burnham's identify.

The town has an `Old England' feel to the place where summer seems to last longer and you definitely get that holiday feeling.

With lots of traditional pubs and great restaurants, Burnham-on-Crouch is blessed. And even with its rural setting, it has great transport links with its own train station meaning London is only one hour away.

The annual August`Burnham Week' is popular with locals and tourists.
Historic Anchor Pub & Hotel, Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex.

It's really no surprise that Burnham-on-Crouch has captured the attention of journalists and featured in many articles such as The Guardian's "Let's move to Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex", The Telegraph's "This undiscovered Essex enclave could be the most peaceful town in England", and The Express's "Quietest town in England is a perfect ‘tranquil escape’ surrounded by water and vineyards".

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Burnham-on-Crouch has become an international prize winner for the fine wines that grow in the Crouch Valley. The area is a sweet spot for growing pinot noir, chardonnay and pinot gris grapes, being such a sunny, dry and frost-free enclave.

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New Hall Wine Estate was the first vineyard here in 1969 but it is now one of 23 local vineyards. Wine tasting at the Clayhill Vineyard and the Crouch Ridge vineyard are popular tourist attractions with incredible views of the fields of vines adorning the banks of the River Crouch.

Vinyards along the Crouch Valley - home to Academy Sailing

The River Crouch itself is wide and set in beautiful surroundings and opens out onto the incredible Essex, Kent and Suffolk coastlines, with a seemingly endless list of rivers and creeks to explore during your time with us. There are lots of seaside towns and villages including Bradwell, Maldon, Mersea Island, Brightlingsea, Clacton, Harwich, Felixstowe, Woolverstone and so many more. The waters are alive with marine life including a large local seal population which you will see as you sail with us on your course.

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The River Crouch provides sheltered waters ideal for learning to sail, while easy access to tidal cruising grounds supports more advanced RYA Day Skipper and Coastal Skipper training.

Book a Course

If you don't see dates that work for you then please contact us and we will try to fit dates around you.

* For your convenience we only display courses with remaining availability *

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