Anchorages are areas along a coastline that are known and regularly used by vessels for safe anchoring and sheltering from bad weather. They usually lie within bays or areas that are sheltered from prevalent winds, strong currents and turbulent waters and most have been known and used for centuries.

Navy logs indicate that anchorages rather than ports were commonly used for mooring naval fleets and, in the past, naval vessels spent much of their time travelling along the coast between anchorages in defence of the country or preparing for various offensives. There are few records of naval voyages between ports, except for victualling or repairs. Anchorages were also commonly used by fishing vessels, commercial trade vessels, privateers and private vessels.

Anchorages represent specific areas where concentrated shipping activity has taken place and therefore have significant archaeological potential. For example, many naval ships were lost while anchoring on the Goodwin Sands off the east coast of Kent during the great storm of 1703. This is reflected in the substantial amount of archaeological material recorded in this area, including both shipwrecks and related debris such as anchors.

The evidence for anchorages was drawn from both historic records and modern hydrographic charts. The former were plotted as areas and the latter as buffered points.