Britain By Boat

Michael Buerk and John Sergeant explore Britiain's coastline by yacht. Their first task is to cross the Thames estuary, where they discover a genuine Dunkirk rescue boat and are challenged to eat oysters gracefully.

Missing the morning tide out of Portsmouth, the duo visit HMS Victory. Then they set sail to Cowes, where too much champagne inspires a race in small sailing dinghies. Finally they decipher the maps to make their way bast the iconic Needles to Poole.

After shopping for supplies in the historic harbour town of Fowey, our competitive shipmates make their way along the south coast of Cornwall to Newlyn, near Penzance. En route they try their hand at kayaking, fishing, plying the oars on an ocean rowing boat, participating in a sea shanty festival and joining the RNLI on a rescue drill.

On the biggest test of their seamanship yet, Michael and John set sail alone. In sole charge of the Bonaventure, can they make it from Falmouth to Brixham? But first, they must decide who is to be captain ... English