The coastline of the United Kingdom is one of the country’s most prominent features, having contributed greatly to British heritage and culture. The UK’s maritime exploits in past centuries have been significant in regards to trade, transport and war, and lighthouses together with their keepers have played a critical role in ensuring the safety of ships throughout. There are more
Top coastal museums and galleries Historic Dockyard Chatham Chatham – Kent – England Based in the charming ex-military town of Chatham, Kent, this 18th-century dockyard museum is still home to many historic Royal Navy warships. Whilst the ships are no longer in use they remain a powerful symbol of when Britannia ruled the waves and places like Chatham docks played
How well do you know the British coast? Below you can find 100 informative and interesting facts to test your knowledge about the British coastline and learn about it. Hadrian’s Wall was 73 miles long One of the UK’s most famous landmarks, Hadrian’s Wall stretched almost from coast to coast when it was finished, marking the northern frontier of the
Although Great Britain is a large island, there are thousands of significantly smaller islands that are located away from the country’s coastline – some of these are rather close to the shoreline, whereas others are tens (and even hundreds) of kilometres away. This article covers the largest of these islands, including both individual isles and archipelagos. Many of these islands
Freshwater East is a village that is just three miles from Pembroke and is situated on a cliff overlooking the sheltered bay and out to sea. The well-known tourist town of Tenby is about nine miles to the east. The sandy beach is protected from the west by Trewent Point, a headland that is a Site of Special Scientific Interest
Plockton is often referred to as the Jewel in the crown of Scotland, and it is easy to see why This charming lochside village is 76 miles north-west of Fort William on the west Scotland coast and is sheltered by Inner Sound and faces away from the prevailing wind, is further protected by the mountain behind it. The climate is
Rockcliffe lies on the east side of the River Urr estuary and has a natural tidal causeway to Rough Island, a bird sanctuary owned by the Scottish National Trust. It is located approximately twenty miles from Dumfries and six miles from the nearest town of Dalbeattie. Rockcliffe is one of the small seaside villages that spread out along the stretch
Crail is 23 miles south of Dundee on the east coast. Crail is the most easterly of the old fishing villages along the south coast of the East Neuk of Fife, as well as being the oldest Royal Burgh there. The royal charter dates back to the 12th century and was granted in 1310 by Robert the Bruce giving Crail
North Berwick is on the south shore of the Firth of Forth approximately 20 miles from Edinburgh. It is a pretty, quality place that is one of the ten best places to live in Scotland. North Berwick has won multiple awards for its gardens, floral displays and wildflower gardens thanks to the work of North Berwick in Bloom. There is
Woodland Regeneration The south-west coast of Scotland runs alongside the Firth of Clyde and is known for its sandy beaches, beautiful countryside and dramatic coastal scenery. Amongst this picturesque landscape, there is a small nature reserve called Shewalton Wood. The reserve lies on the coast, just south of the town of Irvine and is owned and managed by the Scottish
Gairloch is seventy miles from Inverness on the North West Coast of Scotland. The village is typical of highland villages being strung out mostly white houses. The fishing heritage is clearly evident too. There is evidence of population at least as far as back as the Iron Age. The Vikings used Gairloch as a safe haven too although, pretty much
Pittenweem is 25 miles south of Dundee on the east coast of Scotland. It is a historic fishing port and the village of Pittenweem clusters around a small circular harbour. The village is named after the Celtic words for ‘town of the cave’, referring to the ancient cave of St Fillan on Cove Wynd there. Folklore has it that the
