Six much-loved destinations could be no more by 2050 due to climate change, acacording to research. The British seaside is a popular place to head for a holiday and these spots are a favourite for many.
Rising sea levels mean some coastal spots could be under the sea in just 30 years according to some projections. Research suggests that areas near Peterborough could be among the hardest hit, with significant water infiltration predicted. Further south, London is also expected to feel the effects, with the River Thames potentially overflowing its banks.
While the data from Climate Central may be concerning, it’s worth noting that many seaside towns are well prepared, with numerous coastal defence schemes already in place to tackle rising sea levels and prevent potential damage to local areas.
Weston-Super-Mare is one seaside destination which is at risk, reports MyLondon.
Located off the coast of Bristol, this beach town draws nearly 750,000 visitors annually but in 27 years, it’s predicted that the entire beach and large parts of the surrounding areas will be consumed by the sea.
One person on Tripadvisor says: “Lived here most most of my life and still never get tired of watching a Weston sunset. The beach and sky are picturesque, not so much the brown water in between, but the rest is beautiful. Lovely sand, and a huge beach for those evening walks, there’s really nothing like it.”
In fact, extensive areas along the Bristol coast are expected to be impacted by rising sea levels, reaching as far north as Gloucester.
Another seaside town at risk of being lost to the sea is Poole in Dorset. The coastline, comprising eight unique islands and a striking peninsula, offers numerous ways to make the most of a precious weekend getaway.
Poole’s seafront railway station will also be engulfed by the rising tide, inevitably forcing local authorities to adapt and relocate the transport links in and out of this popular seaside town.
Portsmouth also faces an uncertain future and is expected to be severely impacted by rising sea levels.
By 2050, it’s anticipated that the majority of this popular beach city will be submerged, leaving only a small strip of land untouched by the tide.
The beaches of East and West Wittering in Chichester are also predicted to be impacted by rising sea levels, as indicated by the red areas on the map.
West Wittering tends to attract more visitors, especially in the summer, but both offer breathtaking views out to sea, particularly at low tide when miles of sand are exposed.
Eastbourne in East Sussex is just an hour and a half from London, and is fast becoming a popular destination for summer day trips.
However, by 2050, the historic seaside town and nearby beaches like Pevensey Bay are expected to be significantly affected by rising sea levels.
The sea is predicted to encroach far inland, reaching as far as Herstmonceux Castle within just 27 years.
Southend-On-Sea is a favourite summer destination for Londoners due to its close proximity to the capital, and is just under an hour’s train ride away.
One visitor on Tripadvisor said: “Southend Pier delivered a lovely experience during our visit. The impressive length of the pier of 2 km each way made it a perfect destination for a relaxing walk where we could really enjoy the views of the water and the fresh sea air. The trip back and forth was both calm and refreshing.”
Fortunately, by 2050, rising sea levels shouldn’t impact Southend-on-Sea too severely, but neighbouring beaches such as Roslin Beach, East Beach and Shoebury Common beach will be swallowed by the sea.
Full list of seaside destinations to be affected:
Weston-Super-Mare
Poole
Portsmouth
Chichester
Eastbourne
Southend-On-Sea