Selsey Bill tops list of top beachcombing beaches

Cottages4you.co.uk today announced its top 10 list of best UK beaches for beachcombing, with Selsey Bill in West Sussex taking top spot.

Unveiled by Miranda Krestovnikoff, TV presenter and author of ‘Best British Beaches’, the top ten has been compiled in partnership with the Marine Conservation Society (MCS), the charity for UK seas and wildlife.

The list is based on reports received and geographical features, including rock pools, which make beachcombing more successful. cottages4you also asked for nominations from holidaymakers hitting the nation’s coastline this summer, asking them to report their most unusual findings.

The UK’s Top Ten Beaches for Beachcombing are:

1. Selsey Bill, West Sussex
2. Sandsend, Whitby
3. Westbay, Westgate, Kent
4. Bracelet Bay, nr Swansea
5. Westward Ho! Beach, Devon
6. Long Sands, Tynemouth
7. Lizard Church Cove, Helston, Cornwall
8. Church Ope Cove, Weymouth, Dorset
9. Porthselau, Whitesands, Pembrokeshire
10. Skipsea, Hornsea

Beachcombing, which involves searching the beach for washed-up items, is the perfect family pastime for the recession – it’s free, can be done at any beach and is great fun whatever the weather. Findings can be anything from semi-precious stones, shells and drift wood to more unusual items such as a mermaid’s purse.

Miranda Krestovnikoff said: “Beaches are a great place to spend a day with the family outdoors and beachcombing is a fun way to make exciting discoveries and tap into your sense of adventure.

“Looking at postings on the cottages4you blog, it appears holidaymakers have been having a fantastic time exploring our unique coastline this summer finding items including amber and starfish.”

Beachcombing also teaches you about marine biology. This year cottages4you partnered with the MCS to help it record marine wildlife sightings such as jellyfish, which can help to further understand the ecology of the nation’s coastal creatures.

Richard Harrington from the MCS said: “Every year we are amazed at the reports which come in. It’s really encouraging to us that the public get behind our wildlife surveys and beach clean-ups, as the findings provide us with so much information to help protect sea life. All of the fabulous beaches are also described in the MCS Good Beach Guide, which gives a guide to water quality at each site – they are well worth a visit”

For families planning a trip to the beach this Bank Holiday weekend and fancy a spot of beachcombing, cottages4you still has some late availability near the top ten beaches. A special pack containing instructions and reporting forms is also available to download from the company’s website cottages4you.co.uk.

Managing director, Geoff Cowley, commented: “Beachcombing can be enjoyed by all the family, young and old, so there’s no excuse not to get out and enjoy our fantastic beaches. We have properties still available for the long weekend plus discounts throughout the rest of the year, including October half term, if you want something to look forward to.”

For more information about cottages4you, to book a break near a top ten beachcombing beach or find out more about beachcombing, visit cottages4you.co.uk.