Following in the trail of smugglers or walking through time to the age of dinosaurs, ALEX GREEN rejoices in the ultimate coastal adventures
Living on an island, we’re drawn to the coast. As we look towards the horizon, we’re captivated by the wonders of what lies beyond, while the mysteries of the deep provide endless fascination.
Take a step closer to our shores and you might find yourself on the ultimate coastal adventure. Like a ‘choose your own adventure story’, it’s not entirely clear where the path you pick may lead. The only certainty is that there’s always something new to discover in the space where land meets the sea.
It’s this mystery and magic of our ever-changing coast that inspires so many great artists and writers. From Turner to Gormley, Murdock to Woolf, they portray a sense of longing for the coast or to merge with the sea, as though returning to the place from which we all came. In The Waves, Virginia Woolf writes, “I am made and remade continually.”
Thanks to the variety of our coastal landscapes and the Great British weather, no two days are ever the same. It is, arguably, one of the best coastlines in the world for dramatic scenery and exhilarating experiences, from fossilhunting and finding treasures on the beach, to striding out along the clifftops. There’s an adventure to be had, however great or small, you just need to know where to look.
In this selection of the ultimate coastal adventures, it’s all about taking it slow - stepping out on foot along some of our best kept national trails, for a long weekend or a week. Take your time to fully immerse yourself in the landscape and the stories that help bring it to life. Lace up your boots, let’s go…
THE TIMELESS COAST
In this walk through time, millions of years of the earth’s history are revealed in the rocks that line the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. In just 95 miles, from Exmouth, East Devon, to Old Harry Rocks, West Dorset, you can witness three different time zones, including the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods. There is nowhere else in the world quite like it.
Along the way, experience precipitous cliffs and one of the closest environments you can get to a rainforest in Britain, through the undercliffs towards Lyme Regis. Quaint seaside towns line the route, some of which will be familiar from famous novels and films. Most recently, Ammonite, starring Kate Winslet as Mary Anning, who famously made the discovery of a complete Ichthyosaur skeleton when she was just 12. This marine reptile dates back 195 million years, to the age of the dinosaurs.
For a weekend’s adventure over two days, begin at Lyme Regis, where multi-coloured Georgian houses mingle with the promenade and the Cobb, a long stone harbour wall overlooking th
