We have found through recent research that coastal erosion, sea level rise and increased storminess is set to have a major impact on some of our most beloved holiday hotspots.

Places at risk include St Michael’s Mount in Cornwall, an iconic rocky island with a mediaeval church perched on top, and Studland Beach in Dorset, which is visited by over one million people each year.

Phil Dyke, Coast & Marine Advisor, explained:

'To try and predict what these places will look like in the future, the National Trust has carried out research examining how things like sea-level rise and increased storminess will affect all our coastal sites. From these results we know where change is most likely to happen, what this change might be and now we are looking at what this means in terms of practical management.'

'At the National Trust we believe in working with natural processes wherever possible. We need to realise that our environment is not fixed and that change is inevitable. Society needs to learn to adapt.'

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Ten coastal hotspots from around England, Wales and Northern Ireland

Birling Gap, Sussex
Description: If you approach England from across the Channel, the first thing to catch your eye will be the gleaming white chalk cliffs that stretch for miles. Birling Gap marks the start of the Seven Sisters and the sea around it is a marine nature reserve.
The future: Soft chalk cliffs, ripe for erosion, hold up a car park, hotel and a row of cottages. On average, these cliffs are eroding by one metre each year, but instead of a gradual loss there are years when nothing happens and then suddenly several metres of cliff will fall in one go. As sea-levels rise and storminess increases the erosion could accelerate and the infrastructure will be lost.
Action: Here, the priority is to let the coastline evolve naturally and allow the undefended cliff to move. As part of this process, we demolished one of the cottages in 2002, before it collapsed over the eroding cliff.

Blakeney National Nature Reserve (NNR), Norfolk
Description: Blakeney NNR is a spectacular shingle spit which is constantly changing with the movement of the sea. Lying behind the spit is an area of saltmarsh, dunes and grazing marsh. It is home to several species of breeding bird and increasing numbers of common and grey seals.
The future: As Blakeney NNR lies just above high tide the area is already at risk from flooding. But more frequent storm events and higher tides could wash away important breeding colonies of little, sandwich and common terns. We may also see the loss of other valuable habitats like freshwater marsh and coastal reed bed.
Action: Already the Environment Agency has moved a river within the nature reserve which was regular filling with shingle and threatening villages with flooding. In the future, we have taken the decision to work with natural processes and allow Blakeney Point to evolve naturally.

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East Head, West Sussex
Description: This natural and constantly evolving shingle spit provides a home for a huge range of unusual plants and wildlife. Situated at the entrance to Chichester harbour and adjacent to West Wittering it attracts a large number of visitors each year.
The future: Currently the sea defences on West Wittering beach are holding back sand which is needed to recharge the part of the spit which attaches it to the mainland. Should this continue, East Head could become an island for part of the tidal window.
Action: We have worked with other agencies and stakeholders to find a suitable way forward. The plan is to work with natural processes rather than against. The defences on West Wittering Beach will be modified to allow sand to move down the beach and naturally recharge the hinge which connects East Head to the mainland.

Farne Islands, Northumberland
Description: The Farnes are a group of about 30 islands just two miles off the coast of Northumberland. Internationally important for wildlife, 20 species of seabirds breed on the islands including 55,674 pairs of puffins. A colony of grey seals also uses the islands as pupping grounds.
The future: With increased storminess predicted over the next 40 years, it may be harder for visitors to get to the Farnes. Bad weather could make it impossible to cross the short expanse of the North Sea. If you are lucky and make it across there may not be a quay to get off at as sea level rise washes away the current one. And it’s not only the visitors who could be having a hard time, just one severe summer storm has the potential to wash away many of the chicks of the thousands of sea birds which nest there.
Action: We are looking at the infrastructure needed to visit the island and considering a temporary quay. Another option, not only for the Farnes but for all island communities, is to become self-sufficient in terms of energy and water. By collecting rain water and installing renewable energy technology the Farnes will become less reliant on the mainland.

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Formby, Merseyside
Description: Formby is part of the Sefton coast which is one of the largest sand dune systems in Britain. It backs onto an area of small fields once used for asparagus cultivation. Along the shoreline prehistoric footprints of deer,wild cattle, birds and people are exposed and then covered up by the tides.
The future: For the last 100 years, the beach at Formby has been eroding at a rate of four metres every year. Severe storms can take 12 to 15 metres from the front of the dunes in one event. This can be followed by some recovery assand blows in from the beach. With storms predicted to increase over the next 100 years the sands will recede by a minimum of 400 metres, changing the shape of this coastline forever.
Action: We are stepping up our work with the local community in September to talk about the future of Formby coastline and to consider how to adapt to this ever changing coastline. A key issue is to maintain the benefits of access to this wonderful area of coastline where currently the car park is disappearing under a sand dune.

Porthdinllaen, Gwynedd, North Wales
Description: This pretty hamlet on the Llyn Peninsula is set on a beach fringed by cliffs and a ragged coastline. There are 16 houses and the Ty Coch Inn under our care. The Porthdinllaen lifeboat and a number of local fishing vessels are also based at the property.
The future: Already high tides can cause problems with drainage pipes and services. If this coincides with stormy weather,buildings can flood and sea-walls are damaged. As climate change takes hold the chance of flooding and landslides will increase.
Action: In the short-term we are continuing to repair the damage to local facilities, such as the inn, and village infrastructure. If the long-term forecasts are correct there may be no option but to allow the coast to evolve naturally and face the fact this idyllic village might be lost to the sea. Our staff are discussing thelong-term implications of this with the village residents so that everyone is aware of the issues involved.

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Portstewart Strand, County Down
Description: The magnificent beach and dunes of Portstewart Strand stretches for two miles along the Northern Ireland coast. It is a Mecca for holiday makers with over 100,000 making the pilgrimage to the soft sands every year.
The future: As the sea levels rise and storminess increases in the coming decades the sand dunes will roll back inland and in future beach access may be impacted upon.As the dunes begin to move they may affect the course of the river and navigation interests.
Action: One of the issues here is that there is currently no monitoring of physical features in Northern Ireland and we are asking the Department of the Environment and the Northern Ireland Environment Agency to put monitoring in place across the coastline. However, at Portstewart Strand we are already addressing the problem; a new visitor building is designed to be removed and relocated with minimal impact.

Rhossili, Gower, Wales
Description: Considered one of the finest sandy beaches in the UK, Rhossili sweeps for three miles along the western edge of Gower Peninsula in Wales. A haven for holiday makers, the area is rich in archaeology and wildlife.
The Future: Coastal change is already happening at Rhossili. Erosion of the surrounding cliffs is leading to potentially dangerous rock falls and landslides, as well as threatening a track leading to a popular holiday cottage. Beach erosion iseating away at the edges of an abandoned sand covered village which dates back to mediaeval times.
Action: A detailed survey to monitor the erosion will take place this year. This will help us to understand what might happen in the future and how to manage these changes. In time, we will be moving the track leading to the cottage to maintain access. The village will be recorded as it is uncovered.

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St Michael’s Mount, Cornwall
Description: A rocky island crowned by a medieval church and castle just off the coast of Penzanze in Cornwall. Home to a small community, the island is accessible by a causeway at low tide.
The future: In the early 18th century the causeway was accessible for six hours at low tide. Now it is accessible for four. In 40 years time it may be accessible for under an hour and eventually the Mount could become a true island. As the causeway becomes unusable, the harbour will increase in importance but this too will be increasingly vulnerable to flooding.
Action: It will not be possible to stop the causeway becoming obsolete in the long term, but we are looking at how we can reinforce the harbour to enable it to cope with the rising sea levels and an increased reliance on boats. Buildings will be kitted out so they can be cleaned up easily after a flood and alternatives to residential use will be sought in the risk zone.

Studland Beach, Dorset
Description: Studland beach stretches for five kilometres along the Purbeck coast in Dorset. In the past sea defences were installed to defend infrastructure from the ravages of winter storms and these are now failing. Popular with holidaymakers, over one million people soak up the sun here throughout the year.
The future: The action of the sea is eroding the southern section of this popular tourist beach by two to three metres a year. Although thebeach is growing at its northern end through accretion our visitor facilities; the cafes, toilets,shops, car parks and beach huts are under threat from erosion and inundation.
Action: In the past 10 years, we have had to move beach huts landwards twice and are now working with other organisations to look at the possibility of relocating some of itsinfrastructure out of the risk zone. We are also removing sea defences on the beach to enable the coast line to realign itself naturally.