Coast/Beach

The coastline of the United Kingdom is remarkable in its length, its accessibility and its varied geography and habitats. The entire UK coastline measures around 11,000 miles, much longer than many other European countries, primarily of course because the UK is an island.

Nowhere in England is more than 72 miles (116km) from the coast and it is estimated that around 11 and a half million people take part in coastal activities in the UK every year. The geography of the UK coastline is also stunning, with a great number of natural features including numerous islands, bays, headlands and peninsulas and over 1,200 beaches.