Tag Archives: British beaches

Nature holidays in Scotland, Nature tourism in the UK

The beach with the best views in Britain

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The view from the beach at Scarista on South Harris is simply stunning. This beach is huge with lots of room for bucket and spading, crabbing and paddling and windsurfing. Wonderful walks for exploring the beach and sealife, but watch out for large shoals of various jellyfish that get washed ashore at certain times of year. On the other hand, the waters around the Hebrides are the cleanest in the UK. Views of the Hills of Harris and the Isle of Taransay where the BBC filmed their series “Castaway

Beachcombing in Britain, Nature tourism in the UK, Outdoor activities

Best beaches for beachcombing

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The name “beachcombers” was first given to a motley crew of European castaways and ship’s crew deserters making a living as best they could on South Pacific islands.

Modern beachcombers can be quite serious about their activity, becoming experts on storms, ocean currents and seasonal events to increase their chance of an exciting find.  Among the mounds of seaweed, tangled fishing nets and plastic bottles, booty can include shells, driftwood, semi-precious stones, and the content of lost shipping containers.

A list has been drawn up of Britain’s top ten beachcombing beaches, taking into account tidal variation and gradient, as well as safety and accessibility.  The photograph,  which captures the absorption of beachcombing, is of Westward Ho! Devon,  and it accompanies a Guardian article on activity holidays.

1. Runswick Bay, North Yorkshire
2. Newgale Beach, Pembrokeshire
3. Westward Ho! Beach, Devon
4. Cowes, Isle of Wight
5. Camber, East Sussex
6. Frinton on Sea, Frinton Beach, Essex
7. Herne Bay East, Kent
8. Barmston, East Yorkshire
9. Combe Martin Beach, Devon
10. Cresswell Dunes & Foreshore, Northumberland

The Guardian:  Activity holidays in the UK