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.

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Lee Bay - North Devon

Lee Bay lies at the foot of a wooded coombe. Borough Wood is a remnant of the ancient broadleaved woodland which once covered vast areas of the land. Many of the hedgerows and garden hedges bear the red blossoms of fuschias which give the area it’s local name of “Fuschia Valley”.
The history of Lee Bay and it's association with the sea is told in part through the cottages perched on the seafront, and the channel etched into the natural beached rocks. Though not a particularly hospitable looking haven for seafarers, it was certainly more friendly than the towering rocks on either side, and small coves like Lee were reasonably accessible for small vessels - making it ideal for smuggling as well as the arrival of coal and lime for nearby limekilns.

North Devon coastal South West Coast Path sea cottage tree Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Heritage Coast coastline seaweed seascape

From Exmoor, North Devon and Somerset