10 Reasons to Camp at the Coast

12/09/2014

Oh we do love to be beside the seaside… But don’t take our word for it – this is a scientifically proven fact.

A recent study from the British Psychological Society found being by the coast had a more positive effect of how people feel than spending time in the countryside or an urban park.

Researchers said this could reflect an ‘innate preference’ for the sights and sounds of the sea. There could also be social or cultural expectations about the benefits of the seaside, or individual associations such as happy childhood memories.

Whatever it is you love about the seaside, you know you won’t regret a trip to the coast. So here are our 10 reasons why camping at the coast is so good for the mind, body and soul.

1. Swimming in the Sea

Ok so the North Sea is not exactly the Indian Ocean and can be a bit chilly, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take the plunge. In summer the water is warm enough for the kids to swim in. Be safe though, check the beach lifeguards advice on how to stay out of trouble.

2. Enjoy the Spectacular Sunsets

We are lucky enough at Crows Nest to have spectacular sea views, the chances are you will spend many an evening sitting outside your tent, gazing as the sun sinks slowly away for the night.

3. Junk Food on Tap

Dieticians and dentists may not agree, but no trip to the coast is complete without generous helpings of fish and chips, ice cream and sticks of rock. Some may tempt you with exotic foreign fare like burgers and kebabs but don’t succumb. Fish and chips is the only acceptable food to eat when you are strolling along the prom prom prom.

4. Take a Hike

There is nothing quite like a coastal walk. Slipping out of your tent on the morning, donning just your books, and be greeted by the lovely fresh salty air and the prospect of hours of enjoyment ahead. Finding your way could not be easier, simply keep the sea to one side until you turn around and come back. The views are tremendous and always changing along the route, so what are you waiting for??

5. Fly a Kite

As a child, a kite was one of those toys that was always in the bottom of a cupboard but you rarely got the chance to use. Urban areas mean overhead cables, trees and buildings but there are no such worries on the beach. Vast empty skies, lots of space and gusty sea breezes make for perfect kite flying conditions.

6. Hunting for Fossils

Imagine taking a walk along the beach and discovering a rock containing the fossilised remains of a creature that lived millions of years ago. The great thing about fossil hunting is that you don’t really have to put much effort in to it. Robin Hoods Bay in between Scarborough and Whitby is the best place to go hunting on the Yorkshire Coast. Good luck.

7. Wildlife Watching

Yorkshires beaches and coastline are fantastic places for wildlife watching. The cliffs, rocky shores, sandy dunes and muddy estuaries are habitats for all sorts of marine life, birds, mammals and plants. We have some of the most important sea bird colonies in the world including gulls, gannets and puffins. Along parts of the coast, dolphins and even sharks and whales can sometimes be seen. We even have a seal colony at Gristhorpe Bay which Crows Nest overlooks. Seals are fascinating creatures to watch in their natural habitat. Please remember though, it is all about observing, do not try and interact with any wildlife you may see in the area.

8. Amazing Days Out

Many people return to the Yorkshire Coast because there are so many things to see and do, that one trip will not be enough. There is literally something for everyone. One of our favourite days out is a round trip over the North York Moors, stopping at Goathland and viewing the setting for Heartbeat, before finishing in Whitby for the famous Fish and Chips. What ever you choose to do during your visit… you won’t be bored.

9. Rock Pools to Explore

Kids love poking around in rock pools, and it’s a great way to introduce them to the smaller wildlife on the coast. Grab a net and a bucket and spend a few hours exploring the pools that appear when the tide goes out.

10. Relax

On a warm sunny day, pull up a deck chair, stick a knotted hankie on your head… and then do nothing. Until its time for another ice cream of course!!