Stories from the edge of the island.
Explore the piers, lighthouses, islands, reserves and fishing villages that give Britain its distinctive shoreline.
Enter the directoryFind your way to the water
A living index of places shaped by salt, weather and the people who work along the shore.
Piers
Piers are the pleasure palaces of the Victorian seaside, stretching out over the water for promenading, entertainment and sea air.
Browse piersLighthouses
Lighthouses mark the dangerous edges of Britain’s coast, each with a story of engineering, shipwrecks and the keepers who kept the light burning.
Browse lighthousesIslands
Britain’s offshore islands range from windswept Hebridean outposts to subtropical Scilly, each with its own culture, wildlife and coastline.
Browse islandsCoastal Reserves
National Nature Reserves protect Britain’s finest coastal habitats, from dune systems and salt marsh to seabird cliffs and underwater reefs.
Browse coastal reservesFishing Villages
Fishing villages are where Britain’s coastal character runs deepest, with working harbours, winding streets and centuries of maritime heritage.
Browse fishing villagesUseful before you go.
Grounded in place
We start with the real character of a location: its materials, working life, history and landscape.
Clear about the gaps
Where a detail needs checking, we say so. A directory should help you plan without pretending certainty.
Written for the coast
Field notes for walkers, history-minded travellers and anyone drawn to the line where land meets sea.
Notes worth following
Explore the coast
Move from built heritage to wild habitat, then follow the stories between them.