Coastal adventures: Top five places to paddle on the sea

The brilliant thing about living on our little island nation is that we have an abundance of paddling both inland and at sea. Our coasts have much to offer, from quaint fishing villages to prehistoric cliffs. So, where do you start? People have paddled around Britain, meaning the coastlines are fairly well documented. So, we have had a look and managed to pick out our top five coastal adventures.

Whitby
On the Yorkshire coast, Whitby is an old fishing town synonymous with picturesque coastlines and vampires. High up on the east cliff are the ruins of Whitby Abbey, a 7th-century monastery and well-known landmark on the coast. Running through the centre of the town is the River Esk, a tidal river that offered shelter to fishing boats.

Whitby

Accessing the sea for paddling is easy here. Either paddle down the River Esk into the harbour and out round the harbour walls into the North Sea. Or use the two miles of beach to launch from the sandy shores. Once at sea, you can take in the fishing town from a whole new perspective. You can look up the steep-sided valley from the water level and see the brick and stone buildings. Dolphins and seals are often spotted outside the town playing in the waves.

Mersea Island
The island of Mersea is found in the East of England. Accessible by road, the island is primarily green fields, boarded by sandy beaches. Mersea has been inhabited since pre-Roman times, providing many historical landmarks and artefacts. Along the shores, you may be able to spot remnants of fishing traps dating back to the 7th century! The history continues flowing through the island, with evidence of Tudor forts, canons, smuggling operations, and WW1 importance.

Mersea Island

Although the island covers only seven square miles, a paddling route circling the whole island is very doable at the right tide. You would need to reach the north of the island at high tide to cross the road and continue. The sands of Monkey Beach and West Mersea Beach make this East Coast adventure’s ideal launch and landing point.

Cuckmere Haven
Cuckmere Haven is situated in the Seven Sisters Country Park, where the Cuckmere River meets the English Channel. Steeped in smuggling history from the 16th century onwards, the floodplains are home to a meandering river, oxbow lakes, and long stretches of sandy beaches. The famous Seven Sisters cliffs are along the beach, with impressively high white chalk cliff faces. An epic view as they span for miles.

Cuckmere Haven

You are set for a very rural paddle with only two hamlets within the country park. You’ll only see rolling hills and sandy beaches. If you set out paddling during low tide, you may encounter the wreck of a German sailing ship from 1890 emerging from the sea. You can find a paddling route that takes you along the River Cuckmere, out into the sea and along the Seven Sisters. Just be mindful of the tides when paddling back to the car park! There is also a Paddle UK delivery partner based on the river. Visit Buzz Active, where you can hire a kit and go on guided tours.

Jurassic Coast
This 96-mile stretch of coastline runs between Exmouth and Studland Bay. In 2001, it was listed as a World Heritage Site! This stretch of coastline spans 185 million years of geological history. You can see the fossilised remains of the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods when the land was desert, tropical sea, and marshlands. All this is visible due to coastal erosion over thousands of years.

Jurassic coast

The huge length of the coastline means there are many points to launch, lots of different routes you can explore, and you can make the paddle last as long as you would like. Plenty of towns situated along the coast make it very accessible, too, offering designated parking, beaches to launch from, and fish and chips for after your paddle! This whole stretch of coastline is perfect for a family adventure.

Morecambe Bay
This bay in the North West of England is home to an abundance of bird and marine life, making it a very special place. The bay has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. Home to rare and special wildlife with unique habitats, it is an area that needs to be experienced.

Morecambe bay

With five different rivers flowing into the bay, the coastline is varied in shape. It is also one of the UK’s biggest intertidal mudflats and sands, giving you an idea of the size of this area. This means there are many spots that are popular with kayakers, paddleboarders, and paddlers of all kinds.

Nearly every town along the coastline offers access to the seawater and the base for an adventure. And if the weather isn’t right to head out on the sea, England’s only coastal canal route is just off the beach.