‘Grab a chance, and you won’t be sorry for a might-have-been’

Sleep aboard the Goblin: Nancy Blackett welcomes new crews for day sails or longer voyages (www.nancyblackett.org)

Sail Swallow: the dinghy used in the 1974 film is owned by a group of enthusiasts led by Magnus Smith (www.sailransome.org)

Galumph down the hill to the lake at Holly Howe of Swallows and Amazons: Bank Ground Farm on the shores of Lake Coniston is next door to the Collingwoods’ home, the fictional Beckfoot. It was Dora Collingwood’s children–taqui, Susan, Titty, Roger and Brigit Altounyan–who inspired Ransome to start the books (01539 441264; www. bankground.com)

Stay at Alma Cottage, Pin Mill, Suffolk: the cottage where the Swallows leave the ‘best of all natives’ before setting sail in the

Goblin is still a B&B (01453 872551). Next door is the Butt & Oyster pub, still lapped by waves at high tide

Sail Teasel of Coot Club on the Norfolk Broads: Lullaby, the stand-in for Teasel in a 1983 BBC series, can be hired from Hunter’s Yard (01692 678263; www.huntersyard.co.uk)