Collecting British shells
The cold waters around the continental shelf of the UK are rich in marine fauna and there are more than 600 species of marine mollusc and many more freshwater and terrestrial species.
In these pages you'll find ideas for places to collect shells and where to see some fine public displays of shells in the different nations and regions. Click on the map below to select your area of interest.
We have also begun a gallery of photographs of living British molluscs: contributions to this are very welcome.
Note that in Great Britain, the public are generally permitted access to the foreshore (the beach between the low water and high water marks) and shells and other items may be collected for non-commercial purposes. You should be aware of any local restrictions and especially those in our National Parks, only a few of which encompass beach areas. See also the principles laid out under Collecting guidance
In these pages you'll find ideas for places to collect shells and where to see some fine public displays of shells in the different nations and regions. Click on the map below to select your area of interest.
We have also begun a gallery of photographs of living British molluscs: contributions to this are very welcome.
Note that in Great Britain, the public are generally permitted access to the foreshore (the beach between the low water and high water marks) and shells and other items may be collected for non-commercial purposes. You should be aware of any local restrictions and especially those in our National Parks, only a few of which encompass beach areas. See also the principles laid out under Collecting guidance
Photograph by Jeff Schmaltz, MODIS Land Rapid Response Team, NASA GSFC
