An Ancient Monument There aren’t too many places in the UK that can boast a landscape similar to Brean Down. Situated just to the west of Weston-super-Mare, the area forms a narrow promontory that stretches 2 kilometres into the Bristol Channel. Its unique appearance is the result of the unusual geology in the region, with Brean Down forming the end …
Neptune Coastline Campaign
One of the National Trust’s largest fundraising campaigns, the Neptune Coastline Campaign is an ongoing initiative that allows the charity to secure large sections of the coastline, with the aim of preserving the natural importance of coastlines for current and future generations to enjoy. In the UK, no-one lives more than 120 km (75 miles) away from the sea, so …
Inverewe – Gardens of Delight
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 …
England, Scotland, Wales
Protecting Our Oceans
Protecting Our Oceans is a campaign and mission statement by the National Trust which supports the designation, and effective management, of all protected areas along the British coastline. This includes shoreline and marine environments, and even areas of land bordering the coastline that are of ecological or environmental importance. As a large British coastal land owner, maintaining marine and shoreline …
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 …
Shifting Shores
Shifting Shores is a report that was produced by the National Trust in 2005, which investigated how the British coastline is likely to change over the next 100 years, particularly in response to projected rising sea levels. It centred around the likely impacts that increases in coastal flooding and erosion rates would have on both the coastal environment, and land …
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 …
England, Scotland, Wales
The National Trust – Its Role in Protecting the British Coastline
The National Trust is a charity that owns and maintains large areas of England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with the aim of conserving the heritage of a multitude of buildings and natural landscapes. In Scotland, a separate and independent National Trust for Scotland exists, with the same aim. The charity maintains areas including country estates and stately homes, sections of …
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 …