Fed by Warmer Waters The Gulf Stream is a warm ocean current that originates in the tropical Gulf of Mexico and sweeps northwards, eventually ending its journey in northern Europe. The west coast of Scotland is fed directly by this current – one of the main reasons why this part of the world stays warmer during the winter than other …
Outstanding Natural Beauty – Arnside and Silverdale
Size Isn’t Everything In the north-west of England, the Lake District National Park gets most of the plaudits when it comes to picturesque countryside. However, just to the south, on the border between Cumbria and Lancashire, there’s a gem of a destination known as Arnside and Silverdale. Named after the two villages that reside in the area, Arnside and Silverdale …
Endangered Species on The Shores of Loch Linnhe
Picture Perfect Stretching over 50 kilometres long, Loch Linnhe is a large sea loch in the west coast of Scotland. Following the line of the Great Glen Fault, it forges a path inland, eventually striking the heart of the highlands. The northeast end of the loch lies just south of the town of Fort William and the loch itself is …
The Booming Birds of Kenfig Nature Reserve
Glamorgan’s Largest Natural Lake Towards the southern tip of Wales, there is a dune system that makes up one of the largest active sand dune systems in the whole of Europe. The system once stretched across much of the southern Welsh coastline, from the Ogmore River to the Gower Peninsula. It has shrunk in size since then, but remains a …
Melodic Songs on the Devon Coast – Berry Head
The English Riviera England’s southern coast is well known for its warm summer days and beautiful rolling downs, characteristics which have given it the title of the English Riviera. The county of Devon epitomises this in many ways, offering some fantastic scenery. The south-east region of the county has some great coastline, with one of the most interesting headlands being …
Long Walks on the Beach – Annstead Dunes
Diverse Dune Systems The furthest north of the English counties, Northumberland has over 40 miles of coastline to its name and is home to some of the finest beaches in the country. Well known for its rugged cliffs, remote headlands and coastal views, the area is recognised as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Much of the Northumberland coast is …
England
A Treasure Made of Chalk
Stunning Countryside When thinking about rare ecosystems, the first that often spring to mind are the rainforests or coral reefs that can be found in tropical climates. But the UK is home to its fair share of rare biomes, with one of the most unique being the chalk downs of southern England. This landscape is characterised by rolling, grassy valleys …
England
Bempton Cliffs – Where Yorkshire Meets The Ocean
Seabird City On the east coast of Yorkshire, near the small village of Bempton, the land meets the sea in dramatic fashion, rising above a hundred metres high and falling away to the ocean. The cliffs here are some of the highest in the whole of England, and are formed of very hard chalk that resists erosion and stands firm …
Wales
Cardigan Bay – A Dolphin’s Playground
Welsh Atlantis Cardigan Bay is a prominent feature on Wales’ landscape, forming a curved arc that stretches for many miles along the country’s western coast. It connects Gwynedd in the north with Pembrokeshire in the south and is characterised by numerous beaches, estuaries and cliffs. The bay is also the location of the legendary Cantre’r Gwaelod – an ancient sunken …
England
At Land’s End, Almost – Gwennap Head
Sensational Seascapes The Cornish coastline forms the south-western tip of the United Kingdom, and is an area known for its rugged headlands and fantastic beaches. The county juts out into the Atlantic Ocean and is exposed to the full force of the prevailing winds that sweep in from the sea. It’s therefore one of the most popular places in the …