Several seaweed types grow in shallow coastal waters and many others wash up on the shoreline, particularly in winter when conditions can be rough. This makes all UK beaches \u2013 rocky, shingly or sandy \u2013 a good place to forage for them.<\/p>\n
In this guide, we reveal 10 of the most common seaweed types found on UK shores.<\/p>\n Rockpooling is a traditional seaside activity, and you can explore the hidden world of the sea\u2019s fascinating creatures at anytime of the year. Discover how to get started, essential equipment and the best places to go in our expert guide.<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> Seven of Europe\u2019s 14 kelp species grow in the UK. They can be found all around our coast, forming forests on rocky seabeds. The most common species of kelp in the UK is oarweed, which can grow more than 2 metres long at depths reaching 10 metres. Its other names include tangleweed and sea ribbon.<\/p>\n This brown seaweed grows just above the low tidemark along the entire coast. Its name comes from its serrated, saw-toothed margins and was at one time eaten as a snack in Scotland. Brown seaweeds are high in iodine and rich in vitamin C. Dried, toasted toothed wrack can be used as a condiment and added to bread.<\/p>\n The rockpool is home to many mysterious and exotic creatures, but do you know your hermit crab from your prickly cockle? Our expert rockpool identification guide reveals what creatures you\u2019re likely to spot when rockpooling and how to identify them.<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> Growing in the midpoint of the inter-tidal area all across the British coast, this wrack has pairs of round bladders that help it to float. Boiled bladder wrack can be applied to swollen joints. It has anti-bacterial qualities and, taken internally, can lower both blood sugar and cholesterol.<\/p>\n Also known as twisted wrack, this pale-brown seaweed is common just below the high waterline on rocky shores. It has smooth edges, no bladders and can live for up to five years. Spiral wrack produces a mucus and curls up to conserve moisture, sending as much as 90% of its life out of the water.<\/p>\n Fancy a day on the coast? The UK is spoilt for choice when it comes to stunning beaches. From the spectacular Isles of Scilly to the rugged beaches of the Scottish Highlands, here is our guide to the most beautiful beaches in Britain.<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> Yellow-brown in colour, this wrack is found at the top of rocky shores and can survive up to eight days out of water. Like spiral wrack, it curls at the sides, creating the channels that gives its name. Channeled wrack is a hermarphrodite, it releases gametes in late summer, which are fertilised externally in seawater.<\/p>\n Another common brown seaweed dominant on sheltered rocky shores, this wrack has large egg-shaped air bladders to help it float. It is also known as egg wrack. This species is slow-growing, able to live for up to 15 years.<\/p>\n Sometimes known as sea spaghetti, this is one of the UK\u2019s longest native seaweeds, exceeding 2 metres. It grows close to the low tidemark on rocky shores, just below toothed wrack, across the British Isles except for south-east England. Fried on a high heat until crispy and browned, it can be served with fish.<\/p>\n According to Ordnance Survey, Great Britain\u2019s coastline is 11,073 miles (17,820 km) in length. We\u2019ve put together a selection of spectacular walks o help you make the most of it, from Cornwall and Devon\u2019s well-trodden shores to the rocky headlands of northern Scotland.<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> Gutweed, or grass kelp, grows up to 40cm in length. This seaweed is found in many habitats including rockpools<\/a>, sand and mud. It has been found growing in shells and even in other seaweeds. Dense mats of gutweed form shelter for marine creatures<\/a>, creating an invaluable low tide refuge on the seashore.<\/p>\n This abundant species grows throughout the inter-tidal parts of rocky shores, estuaries and on saltmarsh. It forms green sheets of varying sizes \u2013 sometimes reaching a metre by 30cm \u2013 which anchor on to rocks. Sea lettuce, or green laver, is the most tender of all UK seaweeds. When deep fried, they make translucent chips!<\/p>\nGuide to rockpooling<\/h4>\n
![\""Rockpool"\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2018\/09\/Rockpool-4b8c819.jpg?quality=45&resize=556,556"\" "\\"\"Rockpool\"\\"\/")
<\/div><\/div> <\/div> <\/section>Types of seaweed<\/h2>\n
Oarweed, Laminaria digitata<\/em><\/h3>\n
![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2022\/11\/Oarweed-Laminaria-digitata-8185c58.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Toothed wrack,\u00a0Fucus serratus<\/em><\/h3>\n
![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2022\/11\/Toothed-wrack-Fucus-serratus-533618f.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Rockpool identification guide<\/h4>\n
![\""Hermit\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2018\/09\/Hermit_crab_Getty_Images_0-dd53869.jpg?quality=45&resize=556,556"\" "\\"\"Hermit\\"\/")
<\/div><\/div> <\/div> <\/section>Bladder wrack, Fucus vesiculosus<\/em><\/h3>\n
![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2022\/11\/Bladder-wrack-Fucus-vesiculosus-5d57246.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Spiral wrack, Fucus spiralis<\/em><\/h3>\n
![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2022\/11\/Spiral-wrack-Fucus-spiralis-e4d4bdb.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Beautiful beaches<\/h4>\n
![\""Family\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2022\/05\/Porthminster-Cornwall-0028a20.jpg?quality=45&resize=556,556"\" "\\"\"Porthminster\\"")
<\/div><\/div> <\/div> <\/section>Channeled wrack, Pelvetia canaliculata<\/em><\/h3>\n
![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2022\/11\/Channeled-wrack-Pelvetia-canaliculata-fe0d2c7.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Knotted wrack,\u00a0Acophylym nodosum<\/em><\/h3>\n
![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2022\/11\/Knotted-wrack-Acophylym-nodosum-f19fb8b.png?quality=90&resize=620%2C411"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Thongweed, Himanthalia elongata<\/em><\/h3>\n
![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2022\/11\/Thongweed-Himanthalia-elongata-a467241-e1669638759992.jpg?quality=90&resize=619%2C413"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Britain\u2019s best coastal walks<\/h4>\n
![\""Hikers\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2021\/04\/Hikers-walking-along-coastal-path-9f2c5b9.jpg?quality=45&resize=556,556"\" "\\"\"Hikers\\"\/")
<\/div><\/div> <\/div> <\/section>Gutweed, Ulva intestinalis<\/em><\/h3>\n
![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2022\/11\/Gutweed-Ulva-intestinalis-9c0d059.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Sea lettuce, Ulva lactua<\/em><\/h3>\n
![\"""\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2022\/11\/Sea-lettuce-Ulva-lactua-d2d8e00.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"\"\\"\/")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Purple laver,\u00a0Porphyra umbilicalis<\/em><\/h3>\n