(Even if no one’s heard of them… yet)
The trouble with “hidden gems” is they rarely stay hidden for long. One well-timed TikTok, a BBC period drama, or a single celebrity Instagramming a crab sandwich and suddenly your peaceful harbour town is overrun with day-trippers in branded fleeces.
But for now (and whisper it) there are still a few gloriously under-the-radar spots you can sail to around the UK and Ireland. The sort of places that leave you wondering why no one else seems to be talking about them...
1. Tobermory, Isle of Mull
Scotland’s most cheerful waterfront
Yes, it looks like a children’s TV show (because it was, Balamory fans). But beyond the pastel seafront, Tobermory is a characterful gateway to Highland wildlife, windswept hills and sea eagles the size of small hang gliders. Don't miss the local distillery — or the chance to buy the world’s most charming fridge magnet.
2. Cobh, Ireland
The prettiest place you’ve never pronounced correctly
It’s “Cove,” by the way. This colourful harbour town was the last port of call for the Titanic and remains a poignant — and wildly photogenic — place to explore. Think stately Georgian buildings, clifftop cathedrals, and an honest-to-goodness Titanic museum in the original White Star Line offices.
3. St. Mary’s, Isles of Scilly
Subtropical but suspiciously British
Just off the coast of Cornwall (but with more palm trees), the Isles of Scilly feel like someone dropped the Caribbean into the English Channel and left the National Trust in charge. Cruise in, hop on a boat to Tresco Abbey Gardens, and prepare for your friends to accuse you of using a filter.
4. Kirkwall, Orkney Islands
Vikings, whisky and Neolithic envy
Tucked away off Scotland’s northern coast, Kirkwall is your portal to ancient stone circles, Norse legends and an unnerving number of puffins. Fred. Olsen knows it well, expect to disembark into a landscape that’s part time machine, part Hebridean dreamscape. Also: Highland Park whisky. Need we say more?
5. Waterford, Ireland
More than just sparkly glassware
It’s known for crystal — but Waterford’s real joy is in its medieval core, with cobbled lanes, Viking ruins and locals who’ll recommend the best pub and pour you a pint of the black stuff with a near-religious reverence. It’s also the oldest city in Ireland, which gives it bragging rights for days.
6. Invergordon, Scotland
The Highlands, minus the tourist traps
Think of Invergordon as the quiet side-door into the Scottish Highlands; a low-key town with a surprisingly rich artistic streak (keep an eye out for murals), and perfect access to Loch Ness, Glenmorangie distillery, and the odd misty castle ruin that'll make you inexplicably emotional.
7. Fowey, Cornwall
Where smugglers meet sailing chic
Pronounced “Foy,” this tiny Cornish town is all sloping streets, yacht clubs and Daphne du Maurier trivia. Stroll the literary trails, hop on a river ferry, and congratulate yourself for discovering it by sea, it’s far less faff than trying to park.
8. Holyhead, Anglesey
Where Wales feels like the edge of the world
Too often overlooked, Holyhead is your jumping-off point for ancient burial chambers, dramatic sea cliffs, and a few excellent walking trails (if you’re feeling virtuous). The maritime museum is run by people who absolutely love boats, and the seafood is every bit as fresh as it should be.
All Aboard the Unexpected
British Isles cruises have come a long way from the days of soggy sandwiches and drizzly deck chairs. Itineraries with lines like Ambassador and Fred. Olsen now offer routes that combine charming coastal stops with dramatic scenery, historic intrigue, and a fair few culinary surprises.
So if you thought you’d seen it all — or are still yet to sail your home turf — remember: there’s more out there than you imagined. You just have to know where to look. Or better yet, let your ship find it for you.