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ONE OF NATURE’S

GREAT BEACHES

SCOLT HEAD

near Wells-next-the-Sea,

North Norfolk

There are two ways to get here,

depending on how adventurous you are

feeling. You can cross two tidal creeks

then wade along the main channel

around the southern length of Scolt

Head. Even at low tide there will be

water in most of the creeks, but it is

fairly shallow – no more than knee-

high. If you prefer to keep your feet dry,

take the seasonal ferry from Burnham

Overy Staithe and enjoy an uplifting,

wild walk along the north shore.

Owned by the National Trust,

this small paradise of sand dunes,

salt marsh, mudf lats and shingle is

internationally importantforits

birdlife. At Overy CockleStrand,

the main crossing pointtotheisland,

there are showstoppingviewstothe

broad sweep of goldensandandhigh

marram-topped dunesthatformthe

spine of Scolt HeadIsland.

There are severalplacesforgood

swims, thanks to thesun-warmedmud

and sand, and vastwildsandstowalk

on the north shore.Insummer,theferry

is the easy way backbuta swimmakes

a refreshing end toa walk.Letthe

incoming tide carryyoualltheway.

Good fact BurnhamOveryStaithe,

an idyllic harbour witha historic

boathouse, inspiredfamousresident

Horatio Nelson to learntosail.

Don’t miss Foragingforsalty,crunchy

samphire – its small,vibrantgreen

stalks push up throughthemudlike

miniature pine trees.

PATH ACROSS
THE SANDS

CHAPEL

ISLAND

Ulverston, South Cumbria

Crossing the channels of the River Leven,
the cold rushing water from Coniston
and Windermere against your legs is
ex h ila rat ing, t hen it is across t he ma in
sands of notorious Morecambe Bay to
reach the island. The Queen’s Guide to the
Sands is your best guide; it’s dangerous to
attempt to cross without one, with fast
tides, shifting channels and sinking sands
a real threat. Chapel is a mile or so
offshore, just 400 metres long and 100
metres wide, an impenetrable tangle of
undergrowth – as you walk the foreshore,
oxeye daisies and pink campion bow their
heads in the breeze. Take a circuit: to the
south are views of the seaside town of
Morecambe and distant Blackpool Tower
further down the coast. Eider ducks breed
at the southern end and there are
surprising sheer cliffs on the eastern side.
Then it is back across t he peace a nd
solitude of the treacherous sands.
Good fact Once the site of a 14th-century
chapel built by monks, the ruins on Chapel
are actually the remains of a folly built in
the early 1800s to romanticise the sea
v iew f rom nea rby Con ishead Pr ior y.
Don’t miss Tr y ing to catch f lat f ish w it h
your feet, and eating hand-picked brown
shrimps as a post-walk snack.

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OUTING