I didn’t set out to be a beachcomber.
It was a fresh, clear March morning in Bexhill, and I had set out to find the famous dinosaur footprints in the clay rocks off the shore. Ill-prepared and disappointed, as I climbed across the slippery shore, I realised the tide was on the turn and was already licking at the rocks which were my distant destination, hiding any trace of iguanodon or tyrannosaurs. So, as it was still early, and the beach was virtually empty, I set my mind to seeing if I could find any other treasure on the shore.
Sussex shores
Sussex marine life is remarkably diverse, with recovering kelp forests, cuttlefish, sea urchins, starfish, sea anemones, jellyfish, echinoids, and bountiful fish life. On the beaches and shores, which are mainly (but nor exclusively) a mixture of pebble, shingle, sand and rocks, you can expect to find fossils, crabs, Mermaid’s Purses (shark or ray egg cases), cuttlefish egg, driftwood, shells, sea glass and all sorts of other curiosities washed up on the tide.
The treasure hunter
So, with only the gentle sound of the sea, creeping ever nearer and with trousers rolled up, I dipped and dived through rock pools, peering into crevices, lifting slippery stones and gently digging empty shells out of their shallow but sandy beds. Cool, salty water seeped into my shoes and crept up my ankles, sand lingered on my fingers and the fresh sea air nipped quietly at my cheeks and ruffled my hair. A crab skuttled out of view. Mud skippers vanished into sand. Barnacles scraped the skin of my exposed ankles and the limpets tightened their grip on the rocks as I scrambled quietly towards the strandline.
The strandline is where the land meets the sea. So, with only a handful of not very interesting shells in my pockets to show, surely, I’d find my beachcomber’s treasure here. And I did, but it was not what I expected.
The beachcomber’s perfect find
Following the line of the tide, and walking towards the rising sun, I realised something I’d been missing. The point of beachcombing is not the find, it’s the search. Beachcombing is the ultimate mindful and sensory experience. It’s about the salty smell of the sea, the wind on your skin and the sand between your toes. It’s about the gentle lapping of the waves and the cry of a seagull. It’s about the salt on your lips and the smooth, cool curves of a pebble in the palm of your hands.
You don’t need to find dinosaur footprints to connect with the fact that they walked here too, ahead of you, clearing the way. I didn’t need to find driftwood in order to reflect on the ships that have run aground near her, like The Amsterdam, at Bulverhythe. Beachcombing is the process of not knowing what you’re looking for but looking anyway. It’s cathartic, calming and cleansing. The ultimate in slowing down and living in the moment. The ultimate in Sussex seaside experience.
I had arrived on the beach at Bexhill, frazzled from my journey and a little frantic to find the elusive dinosaur footprints. I didn’t find them. I didn’t find much in fact: just a few interesting shells, some seaweed, a bit of driftwood and some unusual rocks. But I left, so much the richer and better for my time spent beachcombing. I felt calmer, a sense of satisfaction and a deeper connection both with time and with nature. In short, I felt a great sense of wellbeing for having found nothing. It was the perfect start to my day.
The art of beachcombing
The best time to beachcomb is at low tide and or after a storm. Spring tides are also good for beachcombing as the tides are lower and expose greater areas of the seafloor. Early mornings, especially during winter months, are excellent for capturing that magic combination of tranquillity, reflection and interesting finds. And whilst it’s wonderful if it’s a clear sunny day, it doesn’t have to be, and wild, windy days bring equal measures of mindfulness and moment.
But don’t forget to choose your clothing wisely. It can be surprisingly cold and bracing down on the beach and think carefully about your footwear.
Beachcombing rules and etiquette
There are different laws in place to protect UK beaches, and it is important to familiarise yourself with what you can and cannot do:
- It is unlawful to take any natural materials like sand and pebbles from the beach, even in small quantities.
- You should never take any living creatures from the beach, even if it’s just a small shellfish.
- Make sure you do not disturb any wildlife. This could be birds nesting, seals resting, or marine life inhabiting driftwood or rock pools.
- If you discover a fossil that is potentially significant, you are encouraged to report it to the relevant authority.
- Leave only your footsteps behind and be kind and respectful of other beach users.
The best rule of thumb is, if your find is natural, admire it, but leave it where it is. The real joy is in the searching, not the keeping.
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