Did you know that there is another reason people visit the beach besides sunbathing, dipping toes in oceans, and swimming?
Beachcombers are beachgoers who aren’t interested in relaxing and unwinding on the seaside. Instead, they are keen on collecting valuables on the beach’s shores.
These valuables could be anything, and in this article, we look at sea glass as one of those precious items that beachcombers collect.
What is Sea Glass, and how does it form?
Sea glass is pieces of glass that have been physically and chemically weathered and are mostly found on the shores of beaches along bodies of saltwater.
This weathering process produces delicate frosted glasses devoid of sharp bottle edges that could cut someone.
However, it becomes sea glass when it falls or submerges into a large water body and stays there for 10- 50 years.
While underwater, it undergoes chemical weathering by the currents or salts until the sharp edges are eliminated to have a frosty appearance. Then, it is tossed up around the shores of the waterbody after almost every tide.
Rocky beaches are one of the best places to go sea glass hunting as these rocks tumble up the glasses present in water with the help of high tides to form perfectly frosted and fine gems that you would love as a beachcomber.
If you’re a beachcomber exploring British seasides to collect these gems, read on as we carefully disclose the best UK beaches for Sea glass.
4 Must-visit UK Beaches for Sea Glass Hunting
The criteria for curating our editorial list of the four best UK beaches for Sea glass is based on how likely you could fetch these gems from the mentioned beaches when Sea glass hunting.
Seaham Beach, Durham County
Seaham is not just the best UK beach to collect sea glass but is also ranked among the best in the world.
This seaside gem is located in Durham County, England, 6 miles south of Sunderland.
It became a beach that boasts an abundance of sea glass because it was home to many bottleworks and glass-making factories many years ago.
Tips for visitors: Seaham Beach is best for sea glass hunting during low tides or in the morning. We recommend going very early in the dawn because you’re not the only one searching for these gems (sea glass) that could be used to make jewelry pieces.
Dungeness Beach
Dungeness is next on our list of the best UK sea glass beaches. Many beachcombers seek it out due to its uniqueness and abundance of pebbles and other gems.
This seaside gem is located in Kent, England. It is undoubtedly worth exploring because you can find colorful or translucent sea glass varieties, such as blue, green, brown, and even red, lavender, etc.
Tips for visitors: Public access is limited to protect wildlife. Please obey all the safety signs and avoid restricted areas. Dogs and other pets like cats are allowed all year round. So yes, you can come along with Poppy.
Read: The 10 Best Beaches in Anglesey: Insider Reviews
Chesil Beach
Chesil Beach, located in Dorset, England, is one of the best places in the UK to go sea glass hunting. Its name comes from the Old English ceosel or cisel, which translates to gravel or shingle.
Like Dungenes, Chesil is a Pebble beach with abundant different-colored sea glass, which is why many beachcombers are fond of it.
Pets like dogs can go to this beach, but please take your litter home and keep the place tidy.
Kynance Cove, Cornwall
This place is not a beach per se, but screw it; you can get sea glass here, just like the beaches mentioned earlier in this article.
However, some people do refer to it as one.
Kynance Cove is located on the eastern side of Mount’s Bay, Cornwall, England. Its turquoise and crystal clear waters make it an ideal spot for sea glass enthusiasts.
Tips for visitors: We recommend avoiding visiting this place during peak hours because it can get crowded.
Visit in the early morning when the tides are low, and there are fewer people.
Read: Portishead Beach Somerset: All You Need to Know
Most Asked Questions
Where is the best place to find sea glass in the UK?
The UK is an island surrounded by coastlines, so you’ll likely find these gems on most of its beaches. However, Seaham Beach is the best place for sea glass in the UK.
What time of the year is best for sea glass hunting?
Winter months are the best time of the year to go sea-glass hunting.
What is the difference between sea glass and beach glass?
As we said earlier in this article, sea glass is pieces of glass or bottles that have been chemically weathered by the currents and salts in the ocean over a long period, while beach glass, on the other hand, is found mainly in freshwater lakes.
However, you can use both terms interchangeably.
Is it illegal to collect sea glass in the UK?
While collecting these gems is illegal in most states of the US, it’s a very adventurous and legal activity in the UK.
Sea glass hunting is peculiar to most UK beaches, and this article discloses some of the best places to collect them.