TheUK boosts literally hundreds of ports each with a fascinating history of trade throughout the centuries.  For instance the Tyne port in Newcastle was a major player in the trade of coal and Aberdeen Port acted as a naval base during world war II - and subsequently suffered severe bombing (but it has been more than fully restored!).

The Port of Hull is the only passenger port on the Humber estuary, due to great road and railroad links this makes the port accessible for a whopping 40 million people.  Regular leisure trips are made to Belgium and Holland.  It handles around 1 million passengers a year.  P & O operate from Hull.

Belfast Port is one of the leading ports on the whole island of Ireland.  The port is one of the busiest in the UK, for trade and leisure usage.  Belfast port caters for around 2 million passengers yearly.  The premium destinations being Stranraer and Liverpool.  Operated by Stena Line’s HSS and Norse Irish Ferries respectively.

Famous for it’s white cliffs - incidentally how Britain became known to many as Albion is because of the Dover cliffs, Albion meaning ‘white‘ - Dover is one of the worlds, most famous ports.  Indeed it is the busiest passenger ferry terminal in the world!  Passenger ferries go to three separate locations in France over 60 times a day, P & O Ferries and Sea France are the 2 biggest operators for this route.  Norfolkline and Speed Ferries also operate services from Dover.  

Portsmouth Port is as a diverse a port the one is likely to find.  It is equally at home with big luxuries cruise ships and as it is with big freighters.  It is currently building a huge linkspan to accommodate for bigger cruise ferries.  There are 8 different continental routes that travel to Spain and France.
It also has the honour of being home to 3 of the most notorious warships built: the Mary Rose, HMS Victory and HMS Warrior.

Holyhead in Northern Wales is one of the busiest ports in the UK.  Stena Line and Irish Ferries offer the leisure services at Holyhead, with their regular trips to Dublin Dock – right next to the city centre – the most popular route.  There is also a route that goes to Dun Laoghaire, situated south of Dublin city.  Holyhead is ideal for travelers from all over England and Wales with direct rail services from all over Britain and fantastic road links directly from London and the South East.

Due to substantial government backing, Newcastle Port (officially 'Tyne Port') is one of the most modern and sophisticated passenger ferry ports in business.  DFDS Seaways provide daily crossings to 4 different Norwegian destinations, Gothenburg  and Amsterdam.  With it never being more popular to visit Scandinavia, Newcastle Port acts as the perfect gateway!

Cross channel routes
If you are thinking about sailing cross channel - learn of the best ports and routes from the UK

Ferries to Europe
Venture a little further afield - Travel to northern or southern Europe for a holiday or mini cruise!

Best UK operators
Learn of the best ferry operators in the UK - what they offer and where they sail!

Holiday ferries
Why not arrange your holiday for a ferry break - winter or summer your needs can be catered for!
Dover - Calais operators
Choose form a range of excellent operators which sail from the UK port to the French port!