Already packing your bags? We’ve put together a handy list of the best beachcombing spots in England to help plan that next sea glass expedition.
Durham
Featuring Seaham beach, Durham is the most famous place in the UK, if not the world, for sea glass. With cliffs pounded by the North Sea, the English East coast regularly gets incredible finds deposited on all its beaches. The best, however, can be found at the town of Seaham.
Home to The Seaham Bottle Works from the 1850s to early 20th century, this harbour town had up to six glass houses, sometimes manufacturing for 24hrs a day, with the bottle works the largest factory of its kind in Britain! For years, broken or below grade glass was routinely discarded by these factories into the sea; from beverage bottles to one-of-a-kind perfume containers.
This has resulted in Durham, and Seaham Hall beach particularly, being one of the richest sources of sea glass in Britain. Every day, the tumultuous waves toss a fresh array of coloured glass on the shore, and the beach becomes a treasure hunt for green, blue, white, and seafoam pieces as well as rarer reds, oranges, and UV glass. Seaham is particularly famous for multicoloured pieces, typically called ‘multis’.
Whether you are a dedicated sea glass hunter sifting through the shingle, or someone who simply enjoys walking the shore, you are sure to find something interesting.
Kent
Totalling almost 350-miles of chalky white cliffs, expansive beaches, secret inlets and bustling coastal towns, the pebbles and coarse sands found in Kent are perfect for tumbling glass into smooth nuggets. Known for its wild and rugged beauty, the ports and harbours of this Southeast English coastline have a long history of maritime traffic, and in the early 19th century was popular with smugglers. With such a rich past of human seafaring activity, the vast beaches offer a treasure trove of sea glass waiting to be discovered, including cargo from over 2000 shipwrecks. The best known include the Isle of Sheppey and areas around Folkstone harbour, however small inlets hidden within the nooks and crannies of the cliffs are well worth exploring.
Yorkshire
The powerful waves and currents of the Yorkshire coast are fantastic for dredging up long forgotten treasure from the ocean bed. Although better known for fossilised remains that can be found there, the sand and shingle boast an impressive array of sea glass; usually overlooked by any fossil hunters. The best places are Withernsea, Robin Hood’s bay, Cayton, Whitby and Runswick bay. Famous for its connection to Bram Stoker's Dracula, Whitby is particularly good due to the town's rich maritime history and offers the unique beachcombing opportunity to find the gemstone Whitby jet. The product of decomposition of wood from millions of years ago, jet is a mineraloid that has been used as a decorative gemstone for thousands of years. Whitby jet comes from wood that is the ancient ancestors of modern pine trees. It was buried in the presence of salt water and with pressure and heat became jet. Nearly 200 million years old, Whitby jet has a reputation as the finest in the world and is an exciting find for any avid beachcomber.
Devon
Another beautiful Southern county, Devon is unique in that it features two unconnected coastlines. Straddling a peninsula, it looks across the Bristol Channel and Atlantic ocean in the north, and the English Channel in the south. They also couldn’t be more different! In the north you’ll find rugged cliffs, striking views, wild surf and large expanses of sand, but further south and along the ‘English Riviera’, the coastline is soft and winding, with beautiful estuaries, secluded coves and charming villages. Facing the Atlantic, the turbulent waves of the northern coast are more suited for tumbling glass smooth and is therefore the best coast for sea glass hunting. Best known beaches include Combesgate, Barricane, Ilfracombe however, sea glass has also been found at Bovisands and Teignmouth in the south.
Cornwall
With over 400 miles of coastline, and over 300 beaches, Cornwall’s shores are rich and varied. From large swathes of golden sand, rugged cliffs and sea stacks, to glistening inlets and picturesque coastal towns, it is renowned for some of the most beautiful beaches in Britain. Having seen centuries of maritime traffic, Cornwall’s numerous harbours are ideal for discovering sea glass, and the various peninsulas and jutting headlands fantastic for ensnaring waves filled with treasure. There are numerous beaches known for depositing beautifully weathered sea glass, but the best include Pentewan, Marazion, Portreath, St Ives harbour, Holywell bay, Towan, Maenporth, Perranporth and Sennen cove.
For sea glass hunting with a stunning view Cornwall is paradise!
From the industrial remnants of Seaham to the sparkling coves of Cornwall, England offers an abundance of opportunities for sea glass hunting. Whether you're a seasoned collector or a curious beachcomber, these locations provide the perfect backdrop to embark on a sea glass expedition and discover some rare beach treasure. Let us know of your English beachcombing finds, and any other beaches we have missed through our socials @bohosilver on Facebook or @bohosilverstudio on Instagram!
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