Coasts

The Northwest has over 1,000 kilometres of coastline, more than 80% of which is designated for its wildlife importance.

The mud and sand flats of the region’s estuaries contain over half a million wildfowl and wading birds that over-winter or pass through during migration to Africa.

The fields around the Solway Firth contain massive flocks of Whooper and Bewick’s Swans each winter and there are also many points along the region’s coast where grey seals can be spotted.

Much of the Northwest’s coastline can be explored on foot or wheels and major routes include the Lancashire Coastal Way, the Sefton Coastal Path and the Cumbria Coastal Way.

Almost one third of England’s sand dunes are in the region and the Sefton Coast dune complex is one of the largest in Europe.

A Heritage Coast has been defined at St Bees in Cumbria, which also contains the Northwest’s only breeding sea bird colony.

Finally, over 80% of the Northwest’s beaches now comply with bathing water standards.