This summer residents across Allerdale and beyond are being encouraged to use the area’s stunning beaches and coastline as a way to improve health and wellbeing.
The Allerdale coastline is blessed with some fantastic beaches which are wonderful for spending free time, especially during the summer holidays.
Allerdale Borough Council, which helps manage the area’s coastline, is reminding residents that the beach is a fun and free resource which can be used for a variety of different activities.
From Monday, communities across the country will be celebrating Active Coast Week, a national initiative designed to showcase beaches and coastlines as a brilliant place to visit.
In Allerdale, the council is hosting a celebration on Allonby Beach on Monday to highlight some of the exciting things that can be done on beaches.
The event is being supported by Keswick Adventures, who plan to do demonstrations and taster sessions, and Solway Cycle Hire. There will also be some more demonstrations, a beach clean from 10am and more. Members of the public are invited to attend the day, including the beach clean.
George Kemp, Executive member with responsibility for environmental quality, said: “The beaches in Allerdale are wonderful places to enjoy spending time with family, getting active or even enjoying some peace and quiet in beautiful surroundings.
“People can sometimes forget about the beach and coast as a place to visit and I’d encourage anyone and everyone to sample what Allerdale’s beaches have got to offer.”
Allerdale’s Active Coast event will run between 10am and 3pm and is free to attend.
Chris Spencer, deputy manager of the Solway Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) said: “The area is a special place with special qualities – it is a beautiful mosaic of habitats and history, architecture and heritage, and working communities.
“We cover 59 km of shoreline and care for 115 sq km of land which has scheduled monuments, listed buildings, designated conservation areas, and is part of the Hadrian’s Wall World Heritage Site.
“It is a fantastic stretch of coastline and is a great place for rare plants which have colonised the sand dunes and is also home to natterjack toads, one of Britains rarest amphibians. In certain parts you will find the formation of extensive saltmarsh and mudflats – great for birds, and bird spotters.
“Whether you’re looking for somewhere to relax, exercise, explore nature, build a sandcastle or simply have a picnic and a paddle, there’s so much to explore at the Solway Coast AONB.”
Active Coast is part of the LOVEmyBEACH initiative, which works along the north west coast to improve bathing water quality, keep the beaches clean and runs a series of campaigns throughout the year to encourage people to take better care of the coastline.
LOVEmyBEACH’s Zephie Begolo said: “There has never been a better time to take advantage of our clean and safe coastline and the wonderful diversity of activities that happen on our beaches.
“We want people to see how easy it is to get active, improve their health and wellbeing and connect with nature. We hope people will be inspired to use this fantastic, free resource more.”
