Natural England

England has some of the finest undersea landscapes found anywhere in the world – there is as much variety underwater as there is on land.

Our regional seas have their own distinctive places for wildlife and characteristic, often with dramatic topography. There are over 10,000 types of plant and animal living in English seas. So you don't need to go abroad to be amazed by marine life.

Our marine landscape regions

North East

The undersea landscapes of the North East stretch from the sandy mouth of the Humber northwards past the Farne Islands to the rocky shores of the border with Scotland.

East

The Eastern region covers the area from the Humber down to the coast of Kent you find an undersea landscape made up of great plains of sands and gravels.

South East

Our undersea landscape off the South East coast stretches from the outer Thames Estuary in the east to the west of the Isle of Wight - stretching out as far as half way to France.

South West

If you thought the South West seas were only famous for surfing, think again. As well as basking sharks and seals, there are coral and living worm reefs, kelp forests and seagrass meadows, sandy underwater plains and sea caves that together support creatures as diverse as pink sea fans, scallops, lobsters, mackerel, pilchards, dolphins, porpoises and whales. There are even visits from leatherback and loggerhead turtles.

North West

In the North West off the coast between Barrow and Fleetwood (in the entrance to Morecambe Bay) there is a little known but remarkable deep sea pit: the Lune Deep. The Lune Deep was formed during the last Ice Age when a huge piece of glacier was forced down into the seabed. The North West undersea landscape is home to peacock worms, cockles, sea pens, urchins, herring, plaice, cod, dolphins, and even basking sharks.

Summer Events in your region

See North East Events

See South East Events

Why not come along to see us at the following events during the Summer, starting in Newcastle and Brighton on the weekend of June 7/8th?

There's lots to do for families plus we'll be offering the chance to win some great prizes - why not come on down help to paint a giant mural, make your own undersea landscape in a box, or create your own porthole window to the undersea world?

Find out about your region’s characteristic undersea landscape and make a puppet or a kite to take home.