Coastal nature

The National Trust owns just over 707 miles of Britain's coastline, ensuring that it is protected for both wildlife and visitors to enjoy. From the iconic white cliffs on the south coast and the sandy beaches of Cornwall to the rugged coastlines of Wales, Trust-owned coastline is home to seals, seabirds, insects and plenty of hardy plants.

Here are just some of the many places on the coast that are great for nature:

Golden Cap, Dorset

This eight-mile stretch is covered in gorse and meadow-plants. The area under the cliffs is particularly good for insects such as digger wasps and mining bees and is home to many national rarities. The scrub below the cliffline attracts many migrant birds, while the heathland is great for Dartford warbler, stonechat and linnet.

Souter Lighthouse, Tyne & Wear

Situated near Marsden Bay and the Leas, the area around Souter Lighthouse is one of the most important mainland sites for seabird breeding colonies in the region. Nesting birds include kittiwakes, fulmar, petrel, herring gull and razorbills. The shoreline is rich in marine wildlife, whilst the grassland has a wide variety of plants including bee orchids and wild thyme.

Dunwich Heath, Suffolk

An SSSI and very important for conservation, this area is the last remnants of the once extensive lowland heath that used to cover the area's coastline. The heath is covered in heather and different species of gorse, which in turn is home to grass snakes, common lizards, adders, glow worms, heather beetles and many other creatures. Further towards the sea, visitors may also see a variety of butterflies and coastal birds.

Tennyson Down, Isle of Wight

Part of the chalky ridge on West Wight, Tennyson Down is well-known for its chalk heathland, where chalk plants coexist with acid-loving species such as heather. The cliff provides shelter for nesting birds including guillemot, cormorant, shag, razorbill and fulmar.

The White Cliffs, Kent

The white cliffs of Dover
© NTPL / Stuart Chorley

Situated at the point where the North Downs meet the English Channel, the White Cliffs of Dover consists of wide stretches of white rock, arable farmland and chalk grasslands. The ancient grassland supports a rich variety of flora, and has many species of butterflies and birds visiting the area.

Rugged coastline at Bedruthan, showing the Steps and Park Head.