Shoreham Beach facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Shoreham Beach |
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| Type | Local Nature Reserve |
| Location | Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex |
| OS grid | TQ 219 044 |
| Area | 26.2 hectares (65 acres) |
| Managed by | Adur District Council |
Shoreham Beach is a special place in Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex. It's a Local Nature Reserve, which means it's protected for its unique natural features. This amazing beach covers about 26.2 hectares (that's like 65 acres!). Adur District Council looks after it.
One of the most interesting things about Shoreham Beach is its "vegetated shingle." This is a very rare type of habitat found around the world. It's home to cool plants like the yellow horned poppy, sea kale, and curled dock.
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Discover Shoreham Beach Nature Reserve
Shoreham Beach is a Local Nature Reserve (LNR). This means it's a place recognized for its important wildlife and geology. It's protected so that people can enjoy nature and learn about it. The beach is a fantastic spot to explore and see unique plants.
What is Vegetated Shingle?
The ground at Shoreham Beach is made of shingle, which are small, smooth stones. "Vegetated shingle" means that plants actually grow on these stones! This type of habitat is super rare globally. It's special because only certain tough plants can survive in this environment. They help to hold the shingle in place.
Plants You Can Find
Many interesting plants grow on Shoreham Beach. These plants are adapted to live in the shingle, where there isn't much soil. Some of the plants you might spot include:
- Yellow horned poppy: This plant has bright yellow flowers and long, horn-shaped seed pods.
- Sea kale: You'll find this plant with its large, waxy leaves and white flowers.
- Curled dock: This plant has long, wavy leaves that often look a bit crinkled or "curled."
Exploring the Boardwalk
The boardwalk at Shoreham Beach is a great way to explore the area. It's a long, flat path built above the shingle. This makes it easier for everyone to walk along the beach. It also helps protect the delicate plants growing on the shingle.
Building the Boardwalk
The boardwalk was built in different stages over several years.
- In 2011, the first part of the boardwalk was put in. It connected Ferry Road and Shingle Road. There was a small gap in the middle at first.
- By 2014, this gap was filled in, completing the first section.
- In 2015, the boardwalk was made even longer. It stretched from Shingle Road all the way to The Burrells. A new path was also added near Winterton Way.
- By 2018, the boardwalk was extended again, reaching Forthaven. This made the total path about 1.2 kilometers long!
Future Plans for the Boardwalk
There are plans to make the boardwalk even longer in the future. The next stage, called "phase four," aims to extend the path further west from Ferry Road towards Beach Green. This will allow even more people to enjoy walking along this unique coastline.
