Seascapes
Discover a seascape alive with nature
Life in The Wash
The Wash is an amazing estuary, located between the shorelines of Norfolk and Lincolnshire.
The sand and mudflats found here are some of the most important in the country, providing a home for thriving cockle and mussel beds which in turn support an abundance of marine life and wading birds.
They also most likely inspired the name – Wash is thought to come from the Old English word ‘wãse’, meaning mud, slime or ooze!
Duck under the surface of the North Sea to discover vibrant red and yellow brittle stars and incredible seabed reefs created by marine worms. Important fish species such as cod and sea bass feed and raise their young in the shallow saltmarsh waters and you might even spot a seal resting on the sand banks.
Our coastal heritage
The Wash has a long history of human habitation. It was the Romans who first built banks to protect farmland from coastal flooding, with Dutch engineers leading on large scale drainage work in the 16th Century.
The Wash was also used by the Vikings during their invasion of East Anglia!
Today The Wash supports a heritage fishing industry, which sustainably harvests shrimps, crabs and cockles. Visitors might come for the seafood, but they stay for the spectacular Hunstanton sunsets – the only seaside town on the east coast that actually faces west!
For the more active, this is perfect place to try paddleboarding and kite-surfing. If you’re looking for something a little more relaxed, the RPSB Snettisham Reserve is a great place to get closer to nature and enjoy panoramic views.
