In praise of Britain’s coastline Print E-mail
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Yorkshire's smugglers and whalers

The Cleveland Way National Trail runs along most of Yorkshire's bracing coastline and includes traditional fishing villages such as Staithes and Robin Hood's Bay plus large bucket-and-spade resorts like Scarborough.

It's the story of England's maritime past: from the whaling fleets of Whitby and famous seafarers such as Captain James Cook through to local smuggling gangs.

East Anglia's threatened shore

The coast of Norfolk and Suffolk may be devoid of much height but they're certainly rich in wildlife and atmosphere. Make sure to check out the seal colony of the Wash and the avocets and booming bitterns of Minsmere. However, the vulnerability of this low-lying coastline is still a thorny issue - keep reinforcing the defences at huge cost or allow the sea to take its natural course?

South Coast chalk roller-coaster

The giant chalk cliffs of Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters in Sussex provide a wonderful undulating walk between Eastbourne and the Cuckmere valley (Cuckmere Haven is the only undeveloped river mouth between Ipswich and Southampton). Further west the soaring coastal paths of Studland in Dorset include the famous natural arch of Durdle Door and the striking circular cove at Lulworth.

Cream teas of the South West

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Cornish cliff path at Trevega Head
Innumerable highlights here, including majestic headlands such as the Lizard, Land's End and Prawle Point; sheltered bays and golden sandy beaches; abandoned tin mines and picture postcard fishing villages; St Michael's Mount and Tintagel; plus waistline-enhancing cream teas and well-packed Cornish pasties. Best of all for walkers, though, there's a well-maintained footpath that extends the whole distance, so you can choose whether to dawdle by the waves or stride on along the cliff path.

The wildlife of Pembrokeshire

A spring or summer wander along the delightful coastline of far south-west Wales is to be immersed in a riot of colourful flowers (sea pink, golden samphire and white sea campion) and a cacophony of seabirds such as puffins, guillemots and kittiwakes. Mind you, some of the high-level tracks that make up the Pembrokeshire Coast Path can leave you gasping, so take it easy and enjoy the views!

Lleyn and Anglesey

Discerning walkers might also like to explore Wales's lesser-known north-western shores, generally low-level but mostly sheltered and rewardingly peaceful. Anglesey's northern coast, in particular, boasts a scenic and continuous walking route along shingle bays and low cliffs via Cemaes and Moelfre.

The majestic Hebrides

Here are a wealth of islands for you to walk in peace and freedom - some rocky and challenging, like Arran and Skye, and others lower and gentle such as Orkney and the Uists. There are few coastal paths as such, rather just wild and open shores. It's the place for romantics and loners, with dramatic sunsets and that away-from-it-all sensation.

Island coasts

In addition to those off north west Scotland, Britain's many smaller islands naturally provide some great shoreline walking. Some of the more sizeable ones, such as the Isle of Man, have continuous coastal paths; but even on the smaller islands you can wander the sandy bays and rockpools to your heart's content. And don't forget the Scilly Isles and Channel Islands, including the diminutive beauties of Herm and Sark.

Andrew McCloy writes on walking and rural and outdoor subjects. Coastal Walks Around Britain by Andrew McCloy is published in 2005 by New Holland.


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