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A breezy pebbly beach on a grey autumn day at Water Shoot Bay at the southern tip of the Isle of WIght
An autumn afternoon at Water Shoot Bay below Knowles Farm | © National Trust / Chuck Eccleston ARPS

Coast and beaches

We care for more than 890 miles of coastline. Plan your next coastal adventure and visit a soft, sandy beach or rugged, windswept cliff.

Things to do at the coast

Where to go seal watching 

Find the best places across England, Wales and Northern Ireland to spot seals in the wild. Whether you're on a coastal walk or boat trip, there are plenty of places to see both grey and common seals as they come ashore to give birth.

Common seals and sandwich terns at Blakeney Point, Norfolk

Where to see choughs 

Built to help mariners navigate over the centuries, discover more about these beacons of light.

Two choughs perched on a rooftop

‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’ activities to do at the beach 

Try out the ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’ activities children can enjoy by the sea, from paddling or swimming, to catching crabs and skimming stones.

Rockpooling on the beach at Lindisfarne Castle, Northumberland

Top coastal walks 

Explore some of the UK's most famous natural landmarks on a coastal walk. With a variety of walking trails offering clifftop views, golden sands and local wildlife, there's a walk for everyone.

A person walks along the South West Coast Path at Wheal Coates in Cornwall, with the blue sea and a sandy beach visible beneath them.

Coast and beaches near you

    Visitors in the garden at Buckland Abbey, Devon

    Where will you visit next?

    Discover gardens, historic houses, days out at the coast and more.

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