Join the Coast team for a day at the seaside, in association with Joules.

Come and join us at Walpole Bay in up-and-coming Margate on Saturday 5th September for the next coast beach clean. 

WHAT'S IN STORE? The day will be split into rockpooling and beach-cleaning, with guidance from the Marine Conservation Society, a charity that cares for our seas, shores and wildlife. After coffee and a catch-up with the coast team, we’ll don wellies and explore rockpools for signs of life. Following lunch, we’ll head down to the beach to clear a marked-out section, and litter will be weighed and analysed for research. Over afternoon coffee, the day’s findings will be revealed, spot prizes awarded and goodie bags given to each visitor. We can’t wait to see you there! 

WHAT ELSE CAN I DO THERE? Why not make a weekend of it and explore some of Margate’s new developments? Since the Turner Contemporary art gallery opened in 2011, this Kent town has seen a big rejuvenation, with plenty of quirky shops and cafés popping up, as well as the boutique Sands Hotel. Highlights include Haeckels, a store that specialises in natural beauty products made with seaweed from the very beach we’ll be visiting, and Dreamland, a vintage theme park that re-opens this summer after a decade-long regeneration project.

HOW DO I BOOK? The day costs £20 per person (under-5s free and £12 for children aged 6-15). This includes coffee on arrival, lunch, tea/coffee in the afternoon and a goodie bag. There will be free parking, and public transport is available via bus or train from London. Please be aware that the walk down to the beach takes in a flight of steps and because of the nature of the day it’s not advisable to bring dogs. To book, call coast on 01959 543547.

OUR BEACH CLEAN SPONSOR We’re thrilled to be sponsored by Joules. Crafted with true British style and eccentricity, Joules designs colourful clothing for men, women and children; from spotty wellies to pretty print dresses. To shop, visit joules.com.

For more on Margate and the Thanet coastline, see visitthanet.co.uk

Highlights from 2014

Last September we got together with coast readers at Flamborough Head, East Yorkshire, for a fun-filled day of rockpooling and beach-cleaning there. We scoured the sands at North Landing and Thornwick Bay for litter. Of the 1,476 items that we picked up, more than half were plastic. One of our younger attendees even found a pair of reading glasses! The day was made extra special by a hearty fish-and-chip lunch at the North Star Hotel – scrumptious.