2000 Miles, 21 Amazing Ports, 4 Countries, 10 Young People, 1 Life-Changing Adventure!
In spring 2027, ten young people aged 14 to 18 will leave Fowey aboard Helen Mary R for an extraordinary circumnavigation of Britain.
ASPIRE360 is the only UK Sail Training expedition where the same young crew undertakes the entire circumnavigation together. One boat, ten young people and more than five weeks sailing all the way around Britain and home again.
There are no passengers. They'll become the crew: steering, helping navigate, handling sails, standing watches day and night, cooking and sharing responsibility for life aboard.
No previous sailing experience is needed. They'll learn as they go, have an incredible adventure, gradually take on greater responsibility and discover just how much they're capable of.
From Cornwall, the crew will sail to Wales, Ireland and the Isle of Man before exploring Scotland's spectacular west coast and travelling through the Caledonian Canal. They'll then head south along Britain's east coast towards London and the Solent before turning west for home.
Along the way they'll cross open seas, sail through the night, explore islands, cities and remote coastlines, and experience the unpredictability of a genuine sailing expedition. There'll be remarkable landfalls, adventures ashore, new friendships, tired moments, plenty of laughter and challenges that the crew will work through together.
The scale and duration of ASPIRE360 are fundamental to what makes it so powerful. Over 38 days, small achievements build on one another. Skills improve, responsibilities increase and things that once felt unfamiliar gradually become part of everyday life aboard.
Living aboard Helen Mary R for more than five weeks means stepping away from familiar routines and becoming part of a close-knit community. Everyone has a role to play, and everyone’s contribution matters.
There will be extraordinary days, but there will also be difficult ones. Plans will change, people will get tired, and some challenges will take more than one attempt. With the support of our experienced volunteer Afterguard, young people will learn to adapt, persevere and support one another.
As the miles pass, the crew will become more capable and more independent. Tasks that seemed daunting at the beginning become familiar, responsibilities grow, and young people begin to recognise just how much they can achieve for themselves.
And amongst the challenges, there'll be an enormous amount of fun. Some of the best memories from our voyages come from the laughter, friendships, shared jokes and unexpected moments that happen along the way. Those experiences, alongside the challenges and achievements, can stay with young people long after Helen Mary R returns to Fowey.
Confidence grows through achievement, resilience through challenge and independence through real responsibility. Young people learn to support others, find their place within a crew and recognise strengths they may not have known they had.
Very few young people will ever experience an adventure on this scale. For these ten, it could change what they believe they're capable of.
Want to know more? Discover the full expedition, life aboard Helen Mary R and what makes ASPIRE360 so special in our brochure.
As a recognised training centre of the Royal Yachting Association, we offer young people the opportunity to work towards nationally recognised qualifications during selected voyages.
Participants can progress through:
These qualifications are not delivered in a classroom setting; they are earned through real experience at sea. Every task, from helming and sail handling to navigation and teamwork, contributes towards progression. For many young people, this provides both a clear sense of achievement and a recognised pathway within Sail Training. It strengthens confidence, builds practical skills, and offers a tangible outcome from their time on board.
We strive to create the most exciting and enriching itineraries and embrace the unpredictability of nature as part of our adventures.
Our voyages offer a unique opportunity to connect with the elements and experience the thrill of sailing offshore. While weather conditions can occasionally alter our plans, these moments of adaptability only add to the journey and lead to the most remarkable discoveries.
Come aboard with an open mind and an adventurous spirit, and let's set sail together on an extraordinary journey filled with exciting possibilities.
We run a number of open voyages from April to October each year, the next four are shown below. Alternatively, view all voyages.
