Heritage CoastTennyson Heritage Coast Hamstead Heritage Coast The Heritage Coast definition is given to those stretches of the Country’s most beautiful and undeveloped stretches of coastline and there are 43 Heritage Coasts in England & Wales, covering 31% of English coastline and 42% in Wales. Although sharing many of the aims of AONB designation, Heritage Coasts are also defined for public enjoyment and appreciation, offering recreational, educational, tourism and sporting opportunities where they do not conflict with the conservation of the resource. Additionally they aim to maintain and improve the environmental health of the inshore waters and beaches. It is perhaps a true reflection of the outstanding nature of much of the Island, that we have two very contrasting stretches of Heritage Coast. Covering half of the Island’s coastline, the Tennyson and Hamstead Heritage Coasts were defined in 1974. A Heritage Coast Management Plan was written and adopted as policy by the former County and Borough Councils on the Isle of Wight in 1986. The Heritage Coast areas are also included as a specific policy in the Unitary Development Plan, adding to the protection afforded to them through their inclusion in the AONB. In 1992, the decision was taken to incorporate issues relating to Heritage Coasts and the AONB into one overall Isle of Wight AONB Management Plan The Tennyson Heritage Coast runs for 34km, from Steephill Cove in Ventnor to Widdick Chine at Totland. This coastline includes the famous spectacular chalk stacks of 'The Needles', high chalk cliffs, deep wooded 'chines' and landslip areas, cut in the clay and sand beds below the chalk. With its changing rock and landforms, it is a coast not only of varied beauty, but also one of great scientific interest, protected by SSSIs. Due to its accessibility and unique nature, it is an 'Intensive' Heritage Coast area with considerable pressures from recreation and tourism, particularly during the Summer season. The Hamstead Heritage Coast runs for 11 km, from Bouldnor through to Thorness Bay. This is a 'Remote' Heritage Coast area dominated by the shallow, drowned estuary of Newtown River. It is the haunt of terns and curlews and many birds over-winter on the remote expanses of salt marsh and mudflats. The low clay and limestone cliffs are remarkably rich in fossils of an age found nowhere else in Britain. Much of Hamstead Heritage Coast is a National Nature Reserve, which visitors are encouraged to explore using natural trails.
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