By all accounts, more glorious sunshine is on the way – but it doesn’t really matter what the weather does: head to an English beach at low tide and you’ll likely see people jumping with nets, staring into the pools. Still vibrant enough to reflect the sky and still intriguing, our rock pools are like mini aquariums offering a glimpse into a water world we wouldn’t normally be able to visit – and poking around in them is a long-honoured English tradition.
“We’ve been obsessed with rock pools since Victorian times,” explained Matt Slater of the Cornwall Wildlife Trust (cornwallwildlifetrust.org.uk). “The Victorians were collectors who would raid pools and bring back things to observe and value. That fascination continues today.”
It’s a great way to spend a few hours – or a whole day – and it’s educational. Whether you’re planning a trip to the English coast this summer or are just heading to the nearest beach on a sunny Saturday, here’s how to make the most of our spectacular rock pools.
I need to know
Where can you go for rock pool swimming?
Don’t limit yourself to sandy, touristy beaches. “Some of the best places for rock pools are the more sheltered parts of the coastline,” says Matt. “There’s less wildlife diversity on exposed surf beaches. Go for flat, rocky headlands with pools or areas with rocks you can lift to find critters underneath. Estuaries are also fascinating, but watch out for muddy areas.”
When can you go rock pooling?
Our coasts are full of life all year round, but during the big spring and autumn tides the rock pools are particularly good. Between March and April and September and October you can access coastal areas that would normally be underwater. Spring is particularly good when the seaweed is showing new growth and magnificent colours. However, there is nothing better than a day spent splashing around in the shallow waters and exploring the pools in the glorious summer sunshine.
Who is rock pool suitable for?
Some beaches are more accessible than others, so research parking options, flat paths and walking distances before you set off. In general, rock pools are great for families, but as Matt says, “most of the animals are pretty hardy – but if you’re careful you can catch most of them in a bucket, look after them and put them back safely.”
When is the best time for rock pooling?
Always check tide times in advance to make sure you can access the shore safely. Matt times his visits before low water so he can create those rock pools as the tide recedes and not rush to return before the tide returns.
What should you do to stay safe?
The rocks can be very slippery, covered in thin layers of seaweed. Hold hands and take small, slow steps, try to avoid the most slippery parts of the seaweed and stick to areas with mussels and shellfish. Be aware that crabs can pinch and sea urchins can sting, but these fish usually burrow into the sand.
What should you not do?
Don’t poke the critters (and make sure the little ones understand this). Don’t dig up rocks or bring in overturned rocks and seaweed. “Otherwise you’ll be like a giant taking a house and putting it back upside down,” Matt explains. When picking up crabs, place your thumb and forefinger on either side of their shells, just under the base of their pincer legs, then lift them up. Also, don’t put crabs in buckets, as they may fight; sea anemones have stings that can harm fish.
What can you find?
Sea snails; several species of hermit crabs; common sea stars (they like mussel beds; don’t handle these as they may shed their legs); shannies (slimy fish with large heads that can live outside during low tide); and mussel-sucking dog snails.
Is there a rare species?
As the sea warms, less common species are found. For example, St Piran’s hermit crabs, with their white-spotted eyes on red stalks, have returned to the South West. Montagu crabs are now abundant in Cornwall and spread along the coast. They have stocky claws that they flap when they are angry.
What will you do with what you learn?
Upload your images to an online group that records wildlife sightings, such as Cornwall Wildlife Trust’s ORKS app (erccis.org.uk). “It’s really useful for long-term monitoring,” says Matt. Alternatively, volunteer on a coastal survey with the Wildlife Trusts (wildlifetrusts.org) to look for pollution, climate change and invasive alien species.
Where is it done?
Sea Houses, Northumberland
This long, golden beach, backed by dunes, has parking and views across to Farne Island Lighthouse. On a beach safari experience with Crabtree & Crabtree (crabtreeandcrabtree.com), Ranger Jane from the Beach School showed me long-spined scorpionfish, shanny, hermit crabs, shore crabs and the ruby jewel of a beaded anemone. Jane also regularly sees butterfish, common starfish, sea thornbacks, sea hares (actually snails) and sea lemons (yellow slugs).
Accommodation: Gardener’s Cottage (01573 226711; crabtreeandcrabtree.com) Apartments at Twizell Estate sleep up to six people, from £654 for three nights.
Madenbasi, Somerset
Minehead is particularly good for rock pools because it’s partly gravel and partly sand, says Mandy Wallington of Somerset Wildlife Trust (somersetwildlife.org). The best pools are near the harbour and accessible to very young children. “Typical finds include shore crabs, top crustaceans, limpets, sea slugs and chitons (shelled molluscs, such as woodlice),” she says. For a chance to spot baked beancurds, head further west to Gore Point.
Accommodation: Foxes Hotel (01643 704450; tilkiotel.co.uk) offers double rooms from £90 per night, including breakfast.
Trevaunance Cove, St Agnes, Cornwall
This sandy beach is surrounded by cliffs, with sea caves and pools to explore among the rocky outcrops. Search the ledges and burrows for breadcrumb sponges (hello SpongeBob) and star tunicates. Fish include Cornwall suckerfish (with mouths like duck beaks), shannies and spiny-faced rocklings. Then sit on a stool for prawn tacos at cafe Schooners (01872 553149) overlooking the waves.
Accommodation: Beacon Country House Hotel (01872 552318; beaconhotel.co.uk) offers double rooms from £125 per night, including breakfast.
South Landing, Flamborough, Yorkshire
Below the cliffs, the rock pools at South Landing nature reserve are reached by descending 75 steep steps to a chalk-pebble beach. At low tide, you can see the line of what was probably a medieval harbour and the kelp forest. Look for dog snails, limpets, sea stars, crabs and piddock holes in the soft gravel. The Living Seas Centre (ywt.org.uk) runs group safaris.
Accommodation: Salt on the Harbour (01262 606040; harrisonleisure.com) offers double rooms from £135 per night, including breakfast.
Wembury Beach, Devon
There are plenty of excellent rock pools at Wembury, with the sea washing over large, undulating platforms. Look out for cute little cushion starfish, greater crown-of-thorns starfish, red-eyed velvet swimming crabs, sea snails, anemones and sea stingers, which are related to the seahorse. Wembury Marine Centre (wemburymarinecentre.org) runs rock pool excursions, or don a mask and try a snorkelling safari.
To stay: Rose and CrownYealmpton (01752 880223) offers double rooms from £105 per night, including breakfast.
