BOOK REVIEW | East Coast Pilot – Great Yarmouth to Ramsgate (Fifth Edition)

While your reviewer has travelled over almost every bit of England’s east coast by road, the only part he knows well from seaward is the Thames Estuary. Thus he has always thought of the east coast as low, flat, muddy and intensely tidal.

Reading this very refined Imray pilot has rather changed his mind. Its very experienced and fastidious authors present it as a fascinating cruising ground. Despite its flatness, it seems to have much to offer scenically. Replete with innumerable small and enchanting fishing, fish farming and, more recently, wind farm service ports, parts of it can be quite enchanting.

Of course, it also oozes history. From pre-Roman times until today, it has always been very busy in the maritime sense. Until the Industrial Revolution, the creeks, rivers, coves and inlets were the roads of that part of England. They remain important centres of both commercial and leisure activities.

It is also home to some major commercial and oil and gas ports in Lowestoft, Felixstowe and what remains in the Thames. It is an intensely busy area.

Your reviewer is delighted to have had his many misconceptions about the area so charmingly corrected.

Authors: Garth Cooper & Dick Holness

Available from Imray Laurie Norie & Wilson, St Ives, Cambridgshire, UK.

Web: www.imray.com