Coastlines: The Story of Our Shore

by Patrick Barkham

Told through a series of walks beside the sea, this is a story of the most beautiful 742 miles of coastline in England, Wales and Northern their rocks, plants and animals, their views, walks and history, and the people who have made their lives within sight of the waves. As he travels along coastal paths, visits beaches and explores coves, Barkham reflects on the long campaign to protect our shoreline from tidal erosion and human damage and weaves together fascinating tales about every aspect of the coast - from ancient conquests and smuggler's routes, to exotic migratory birds and bucket-and-spade holidays - to tell a more profound story about our island nation and the way we are shaped by our shores.

Genres: Nonfiction, Nature, Travel, History, Natural History, British Literature, Science Nature

368 pages, Paperback

First published April 2, 2015

About the author

Patrick Barkham first went butterfly spotting as a child with his father in Norfolk. His book The Butterfly Isles documents his search for as many species as possible as an adult.

Reviews

[Penny · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great mixture of travel, nature and cultural writing, with some personal memoir thrown into the mix. This seems to be an increasingly popular genre and one I enjoy.

Enterprise Neptune is a campaign set up by the National Trust in 1965 to buy and 'save' the coastline of England, Wales and Northern Ireland from overdevelopment etc.

Over 700 miles of coastline is now under NT protection - meaning that 'private beach' signs are a rare sight, and much is accessible to the general public. Barkham talks us through the history of the campaign and visits many of the areas saved 'for everyone, for ever'. How fortunate we are that the NT had the foresight to do this.

The book is divided up into chapters each with a different theme, for instance War, Art and Faith. I found his visit to Orford Ness under the War chapter particularly interesting. Growing up in Suffolk I was always aware of the rumours that abound in this area (e.g. a German invasion at Shingle Street and all sorts of weird tales involving UFOs on the Ness). Barkham's stay on Orford Ness was truly chilling!

I loved Barkham's earlier books and my high hopes for this one were realised. I found the writing showed a greater maturity than his earlier work, which is also reflected in the maturity of Barkham's personal life (he is now married with 3 very young children).

My only complaint is why no photographs?

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 1965 The National Trust launched Operation Neptune, with the sole intention of acquiring as much coast line as possible to save it for the nation. It was a success, and they now have 742 miles of coast all over England, Wales and Northern Ireland. This land is to be held for the nation in perpetuity. In this book Barkham travels to a number of locations that he has collectively grouped under a variety of coastal themes.

Starting with childhood, the places he has chosen to visit and walk round all have some elements that are linked to the theme. He returns to Scolt Head Island, a small island of the Norfolk coast, a place that he first came to as a child. As he looks through rose tinted spectacles at his past and the way we all consider the beaches of our childhoods. With other themes, such as Art, Faith, Work and War he zips back and forwards around the UK, going from Lyme Regis to Lindisfarne, Lands End to the Goodwin Sands and Giants Causeway to Orford Ness. He draws out the stories about these points on our coast, giving a free voice to those he meets.

The British coastline is an amazing place of contrasts; the collection of places that Barkham has highlighted for this book give a good overall flavour of the variety of habitats and coastal landscapes that the National Trust owns. He highlights the challenges that we are facing with erosion and energy needs, and the way that we use the coast is changing. Orford Ness once used for munitions and Cold War spying has these haunting structures left which the wildlife is slowly claiming once again. I do like the books honesty too. A visit to the Seven sisters and the spectacular Beachy Head is also used to highlight the tragic events that happen they all too frequently.

It is stuffed full of facts too. I didn’t realise that the length of the coastline is longer than that of India. Overall an enjoyable book about the UK coast. 3.5 stars

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

In his third nature book, Guardian journalist Patrick Barkham blends science, history, and biography as he travels sections of the British coast protected through Enterprise Neptune, a National Trust campaign celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. His structural approach is unconventional: neither chronological nor geographical, but thematic. In sections on childhood, war, work, art, and faith, he highlights the many practical and metaphorical roles the coast has played in the British story. The choices of location often feel arbitrary and the themes are not quite strong enough to pull the book together, but Barkham succeeds in evoking the mysterious grandeur of the coast.

See my full review on the Hakai Magazine website.

[Farah Mendlesohn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this but the title us very misleading.

The author visits every bit of coast owned by the National Trust and tells us its history, how it was acquired and what restoration and protection has meant.

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

very beautiful and inspiring! an excellent guide that makes you fall in love with our coasts anew

[Andrew Cox · Rating 3 out of 5]

Parts of this book were fascinating & it is does show the British coast to be mesmerising but I did already know that. It is always interesting to read about places I know & it was lovely to read about Ronnie Blythe who I have met & is very kind & generous of spirit (a John Clare man).

However,& I am not sure that this should detract from the book, it did feel a little bit like an advert for the National Trust. It was not long ago that I went to both the Farne Isles & Lindisfarne. Both stunningly beautiful places. On Lindisfarne there was a man playing bagpipes which could be heard all over the Island. He drove me mad & slightly spoilt the experience for me. Clearly this was for the Tourists & not for the religious or the nature lovers who must have been annoyed too. The National Trust!!!!!!

But there were some interesting chapters & I liked the eccentric characters portrayed, I was aware of RS Thomas before & met a few more like him. After finishing this book I decided to spend a day at Gibralter Point (& discovered in this book why the NT does not own it) enjoying the wildness of the coast. Unfortunately there was a huge traffic jam & I turned round & visited a local nature reserve instead. The sea will have to wait for another day.

[Sean Pidgeon]

A love affair with the coastlines of Britain and Northern Ireland. Filled with interesting and quirky historical asides, at times reminiscent of the lyrical digressions of W.G. Sebald in the The Rings of Saturn.

[Shatterlings · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book about very particular bits of our coastline, those owned by the National Trust and some of the chapters are only very loosely about the coast. But it’s an interesting read, it might help if you’ve been to a few of the places, though as usual the areas local to me do not come out particularly well.

[Ivan Monckton · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent book, despite the publishers trying to dupe us that it is a piece of new wave nature writing. It is far more than that. History, social history, natural history, literature are all covered in a series of themed chapters each covering two or three locations in England, Wales and Northern Island. Well and honestly written.

[Janelle]

Dnf. This really wasn’t what I expected. I thought it would be more like a walking tour. Instead it was occasionally descriptive of the coastline, and more often introspective of British culture and history. I couldn’t face another 13 hours listening to it. I might have enjoyed it more if I was British.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picked up in a tiny bookshop on Arran, this proved to be a thoroughly entertaining, richly informative account of visits to various locations on the coasts of England and Wales, with a particular stress on the importance of horizon-gazing, something which, having been born in Dovercourt, whose horizon is part embraced by Felixstowe and the headland on which Walton-on-the-Naze sits, is one of my long-held appreciations, as I similarly appreciated the meandering writing style of the author.

[Sevket Akyildiz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very very good book; readable too.
Patrick Barkham blends the natural environment and individuals with style, empathy, and intelligence.
Some of his observations are poetical and profound.
Recommended reading for those interested in landscape, place, people, and reflection.

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really interesting, although the blurb doesn't mention that it's specifically about National Trust properties.
I need to stop reading these books because they make me want to go visit so many places!

[Roger Morgan-Grenville · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written, with thought provoking themes throughout. Only not a 5 star because being restricted to the 790 miles of coast that the NT owns deprives the book of some of the best coastline in the country. But well worth it.

[Dan Harding · Rating 5 out of 5]

An evocative, lyrical hymn to our shores and our relationship to the sea. A wonderfully poetic book.

[Rae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Social history. National Trust. Travelogue. Literary name-dropping. I’ve got a hankering for the coast.

[Soph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes it reads more like the minutes of the National Trust AGM than a travelogue but it made me yearn for the sea.

[Robin Beveridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written, well researched.

[Peter Miles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting exploration of our vast coastline its communities, traditions and issues

[Julie Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Would give it 6 stars if possible! Wonderful read!

[Imogen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book about the Neptune coast and the work National Trust does to protect our coastlines. I particular liked chapters that referenced the struggle between protecting the coast and making it accessible and for the public to enjoy.

[Steve Chilton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Patrick Barkham writes for the Guardian, and his book combines science, history, and biography as he visits different parts of the British coast. I had in the back of my mind that he was talking about many of the areas that are part of Enterprise Neptune, a National Trust campaign and it can seem a bit like that is the raison d'etre of the book. His approach is unusual: not being geographical, but thematic. There are sections on childhood, war, work, art, and faith, during which he explains the many roles the coast has played in the story of British. The location may seem somewhat arbitrary, but I like Barkham's writing style, which brought many of the places to life for me.

[Vicky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Celebrating the 50th anniversary of Operation Neptune, the National Trust campaign to preserve stretches of coastline in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, Barkham's book is a blend of travel, science, history and personal anecdote arranged around various themes, such as war, religion, and family. Pleasantly written, interesting to read, and covering familiar topics, it's the literary equivalent of sitting down in your favourite armchair to watch Countyfile on a Sunday evening, with a nice cup of tea to hand.

[Ruth Brumby · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pleasure to read carefully considered prose; his thoughtfulness about this is shown in the improvement from Badgerlands in terms of construction and word choices. Outstanding for its clear exposition of difficult issues, with respect and regard for all sides, but the moral integrity to express an opinion about action. Delightful appreciation of people in their diversity and descriptions of the idiosyncrasies of countryside that left me with a long list of 'places to visit'.

[Steve Gillway · Rating 4 out of 5]

A clever book which tried to marry the history of the National Trust's coastline acquisition and the author's personal experience of some of the key areas. Only at times does it feel like NT introverted history. Mostly, the personal anecdotes and interpretations from visits coupled with the local stories and figues add the colour and interest to the book.

[Andy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A journey around some of the many National Trust properties on the coastline of the U.K. An engaging and thoughtful tour d'horizon, encompassing history, politics, economics and environmentalism.

[Sue Corbett · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some very interesting facts but needed better illustrations, photos and maps - then itd be a great coffeetable book