Heritage Coasts (England and Wales)
There are 43 designated Heritage Coasts in England and Wales. The "heritage coast" scheme was initiated to protect the coastline of special scenic and environmental value from undesirable development. Much of the designated coastline is owned by the National Trust, through its Project Neptune appeal.
Some 31% of the coast in England and 42% in Wales is protected under the heritage coast scheme. Many of these coasts are part of larger National Parks or Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and the protected area extends inland for an average of 1 1/2 miles.
Read MoreSome 31% of the coast in England and 42% in Wales is protected under the heritage coast scheme. Many of these coasts are part of larger National Parks or Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and the protected area extends inland for an average of 1 1/2 miles.
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Porlock Marsh - Somerset
Until 1996, Porlock Marsh was protected by an 8000-year-old shingle ridge. Hurricane Lili changed everything, breaching the ridge and starting its rapid evolution into a tidal salt marsh creating a whole new ecosystem, providing habitat for enough rare coastal plants and wildlife to merit making it a Site of Special Scientific Interest in 2002. On the saltmarsh itself, there is a plantation of stunted trees, long dead, raising their bare branches heavenwards like some primitive tribe turned to wood in retribution for some awful wrongdoing.
SomersetNational ParkHeritage Coastcoastalcoastlinetreesalt marshSouth West Coast Pathlandscape
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