Swale Nature Discovery Voyage
Spend an afternoon immersed in the rich natural environment of the Swale, experience the landscape, spot coastal birds, changing habitats.
Join us aboard the historic Thames Sailing Barge Raybel for a series of community sails departing from Queenborough Harbour. Exploring the Swale, these relaxed and welcoming voyages offer a chance to experience traditional sailing, local landscapes, and life on the water from a unique perspective.
All sails are open to beginners and curious adventurers alike, with a sliding scale ticket system to help keep trips accessible to all.
Travelling under sail offers a slower way to experience the landscape, with opportunities to spot coastal birds, changing tidal habitats, and the wide open skies that make this stretch of water so special. A peaceful sail for anyone interested in wildlife, ecology, or simply enjoying time outdoors on the water.
Guide
Hayley Taylor and Eddie Lovell of Birdwise - helping to raise awareness of the international significance of this landscape, and its importance to birds and other wildlife.
Intro to Thames Barge Sailing
An introduction to the skills and teamwork involved in sailing a traditional Thames barge. No experience needed
Join us aboard the historic Thames Sailing Barge Raybel for a series of community sails departing from Queenborough Harbour. Exploring the Swale, these relaxed and welcoming voyages offer a chance to experience traditional sailing, local landscapes, and life on the water from a unique perspective. Each has a thene with an expert guide onboard for you to get the most out of the experience.
All sails are open to beginners and curious adventurers alike, with a sliding scale ticket system to help keep trips accessible to all.
You will have the chance to learn the basics of sail handling, steering, rope work, navigation, and working with wind and tide. No previous experience is needed, just an interest in learning and taking part in a practical day on the water.
Guide
Barge rigger and mate Tom Lagan
Working Waters History Voyage
Discover the rich local and maritime history of the Swale and Thames estuary aboard a vessel that is itself part of that story.
Join us aboard the historic Thames Sailing Barge Raybel for a series of community sails departing from Queenborough Harbour. Exploring the Swale, these relaxed and welcoming voyages offer a chance to experience traditional sailing, local landscapes, and life on the water from a unique perspective. Each has a thene with an expert guide onboard for you to get the most out of the experience.
All sails are open to beginners and curious adventurers alike, with a sliding scale ticket system to help keep trips accessible to all.
From trading routes and shipbuilding to fishing communities and hidden creeks, these sails explore the landscapes and histories that shaped the area. A chance to connect with the heritage of the estuary while travelling through it under traditional sail.
Guide
15th - Raybel Charters Citizen Science lead Chris Foster
22nd / 29th - local historian Joanna Oyediran, who unearths and shares Kent’s overlooked stories, past and present, through guided walks, talks and research.
Family Adventure Afloat
A relaxed and welcoming sail designed for families of all ages.
Join us aboard the historic Thames Sailing Barge Raybel for a series of community sails departing from Queenborough Harbour. Exploring the Swale, these relaxed and welcoming voyages offer a chance to experience traditional sailing, local landscapes, and life on the water from a unique perspective. Each has a thene with an expert guide onboard for you to get the most out of the experience.
All sails are open to beginners and curious adventurers alike, with a sliding scale ticket system to help keep trips accessible to all.
Help raise the sails, take a turn at the helm, enjoy the fresh sea air, or simply settle in and watch the coastline drift by. These trips focus on shared experience, curiosity, and fun aboard a traditional Thames sailing barge, with plenty of opportunities for children and adults alike to get involved.
Guide
Barge rigger and mate Tom Lagan
Swale Nature Discovery Voyage
Spend an afternoon immersed in the rich natural environment of the Swale, experience the landscape, spot coastal birds, changing habitats.
Join us aboard the historic Thames Sailing Barge Raybel for a series of community sails departing from Queenborough Harbour. Exploring the Swale, these relaxed and welcoming voyages offer a chance to experience traditional sailing, local landscapes, and life on the water from a unique perspective.
All sails are open to beginners and curious adventurers alike, with a sliding scale ticket system to help keep trips accessible to all.
Travelling under sail offers a slower way to experience the landscape, with opportunities to spot coastal birds, changing tidal habitats, and the wide open skies that make this stretch of water so special. A peaceful sail for anyone interested in wildlife, ecology, or simply enjoying time outdoors on the water.
Guide
Hayley Taylor and Eddie Lovell of Birdwise - helping to raise awareness of the international significance of this landscape, and its importance to birds and other wildlife.