CHOICE LOCATIONS

1 Portstewart Strand is located between Portstewart and the mouth of the River Bann. Managed by the National Trust, the towering 6,000-year-old sand dunes are some of the tallest in Ireland.

2 Ainsdale Sand Dunes NNR occupies the central part of the Sefton Coast SSSI, which stretches for an unspoilt 21km from Liverpool to Southport. The spring pools in the slacks are possibly the best location in the country to hear mating natterjacks.

3 Newborough Warren NNR at Anglesey’s southern tip is one of Britain’s largest sand dune systems. Just over half has been afforested, but the remaining areas are a botanical hotspot, with around 560 plant species recorded.

4 Merthyr Mawr Warren NNR near Bridgend in South Wales is a special habitat for insects, plants and fungi, due to sand settling on top of ancient limestone cliffs.

5 Braunton Burrows in North Devon consists of around 1,000ha of privately owned sand dunes, open to the public year-round. It’s designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

While the spread of COVID-19 means it’s not possible to travel to these locations at the moment, we hope they offer some inspiration for days out once the pandemic has ended.