In 1965 The National Trust launched Operation Neptune, with the sole intention of acquiring as much coast line as possible to save it for the nation. It was a success, and they now have 742 miles of coast all over England, Wales and Northern Ireland. This land is to be held for the nation in perpetuity. In this book Barkham travels to a number of locations that he has collectively grouped under a variety of coastal themes.

Starting with childhood, the places he has chosen to visit and walk round all have some elements that are linked to the theme. He returns to Scolt Head Island, a small island of the Norfolk coast, a place that he first came to as a child. As he looks through rose tinted spectacles at his past and the way we all consider the beaches of our childhoods. With other themes, such as Art, Faith, Work and War he zips back and forwards around the UK, going from Lyme Regis to Lindisfarne, Lands End to the Goodwin Sands and Giants Causeway to Orford Ness. He draws out the stories about these points on our coast, giving a free voice to those he meets.

The British coastline is an amazing place of contrasts; the collection of places that Barkham has highlighted for this book give a good overall flavour of the variety of habitats and coastal landscapes that the National Trust owns. He highlights the challenges that we are facing with erosion and energy needs, and the way that we use the coast is changing. Orford Ness once used for munitions and Cold War spying has these haunting structures left which the wildlife is slowly claiming once again. I do like the books honesty too. A visit to the Seven sisters and the spectacular Beachy Head is also used to highlight the tragic events that happen they all too frequently.

It is stuffed full of facts too. I didn’t realise that the length of the coastline is longer than that of India. Overall an enjoyable book about the UK coast. 3.5 stars ( )

In this book, Patrick Barkham explores various areas of the coastline of the British Isles that are protected by the National Trust. He explores by theme -- love, faith, war and so on -- and draws upon history, literature and art to illustrate how people have responded to the coastline and the sea in different parts of the country. He also brings in his own experiences and interviews others to find out more about what draws people to a life by the sea.

The book is very well laid out. Each section begins with a map of the British Isles that shows the places discussed in that section. And at the end of each section, Barkham provides more information about how to get to each place, sights to see and walking trails to take while you're there, and a few books for those wanting to read more about the areas visited. I particularly enjoyed the sections about Lundy (a birdwatcher's paradise), Orford Ness (with the creepy former MoD buildings) and everywhere in Cornwall (particularly those areas where wrecking and smuggling were practised).

One omission that may surprise readers is places in Scotland. The National Trust for Scotland is a separate organization, so Barkham decided to focus more on England, Wales and Northern Ireland in this book, as they are all managed by the other National Trust. I hope he'll write a book just about the areas managed by the National Trust for Scotland. It would make a great follow-up to this one.

This is recommended for armchair travellers, walking enthusiasts looking for their next UK trip, and those who enjoy reading about nature. ( )