Unearth hidden treasure this summer

With record numbers of British holidaymakers expected to be hitting the UK coastline this summer, cottages4you, in association with the Marine Conservation Society (MCS), is calling on the public to help identify the nation’s top beaches for beachcombing.

Beachcombing consists of searching the beach for washed up items .The perfect pastime for the recession, it’s free, can be done at any beach and is fun , whatever the weather! A great activity to keep kids occupied, you don’t need any equipment, just appropriate shoes and a bag to store your treasures. What’s more, by taking part, you will be helping the MCS save local marine life.

cottages4you has partnered with the MCS to help them record marine wildlife sightings such as jellyfish, which can help to understand the ecology of Britain's leatherback turtles. A special pack containing information on jellyfish, turtles and basking sharks, identification charts, instructions and reporting forms is available to download from the company’s website - cottages4you.co.uk.

Beachcombers are also asked to log their other findings, with the most unusual winning a fantastic family holiday cottage break*. At the end of the summer, the results will be compiled to create the new Top 10 beaches for beachcombing, based on what holidaymakers have found.

Katherine Stephenson from the MCS said: “We’re always looking for opportunities to make people aware of coastal wildlife and with so many people planning to visit Britain’s beaches this summer, it’s the perfect opportunity to raise awareness and get people enjoying our spectacular coastline.

"There is so much around our UK coastline to discover! From jewel-like anemones and giant basking sharks to leatherback turtles and grey seals our seas provide a home to truly fascinating wildlife. It amazes me that less than 1 per cent of our seas are protected when there is so much to lose!"

What’s more, during the summer, cottages4you will be donating 10 per cent of every holiday booked through the MCS to the charity, to help continue their vital work in preserving the UK coastline.

Geoff Cowley, managing director of cottages4you, said: “With over 10,000 properties in Britain, we have plenty within easy reach of the sea.

“This is the third year cottages4you has run its beachcombing campaign and every year we receive fascinating reports of what people find on British beaches. We hope our partnership with the MCS will help with their conservation work and also support them for years to come.”

cottages4you has a range of properties to suit every size of family from two to thirty. The portfolio of unique cottages ranges from farmhouses and converted barns to schoolhouses, castles and even a Harbour Master’s mansion!

For more information about cottages4you, to book a break near to a beachcombing beach or find out more about beachcombing, including the competition to win a holiday visit cottages4you.co.uk.

* Full details on how to enter the competition and terms and conditions are available on cottages4you.co.uk.