Beach cleans are a fantastic way to give back to the environment while enjoying time by the sea. Whether you’re on holiday with us or live near the coast, joining a beach clean is a great opportunity to meet like-minded people, protect marine life, and help keep our shorelines pristine. With holiday park locations near some of the UK’s most stunning beaches, we take our responsibility seriously to care for and protect our shores. Together, we can make a difference and together with Lian Locke, our Positive Impact Manager, we’ve detailed how you can find and get involved in a beach clean in Cornwall.

How to Find and Get Involved in Beach Cleans

Beach cleans are a fantastic way to give back to the environment while enjoying time by the sea. Whether you’re on holiday with us or live near the coast, joining a beach clean is a great opportunity to meet like-minded people, protect marine life, and help keep our shorelines pristine. With holiday park locations near some of the UK’s most stunning beaches, we take our responsibility seriously to care for and protect our shores. Together, we can make a difference and together with Lian Locke, our Positive Impact Manager, we’ve detailed how you can find and get involved in a beach clean in Cornwall.

What are Beach Cleans?

Our beach cleans in Cornwall are organised efforts to remove litter and waste from coastal areas, helping to protect wildlife, prevent pollution, and preserve the natural beauty of our shores. Participants use litter pickers, hessian bags, and safety gear to collect waste, which is then properly disposed of or repurposed for educational projects.

Our on-park beach clean stations provide hessian bags, litter pickers, and safety instructions, making it easy for guests of all ages to get involved—rain or shine! If you’d like to join a local beach clean event while you’re staying with us, our reception team will be happy to share the latest opportunities. It’s also a great idea to follow regular events on social media so you can plan ahead but we’ll get into our social media group recommendations for that later^.

Why Beach Clean On Your Holiday?

Taking part in a beach clean up while on holiday with us is a rewarding experience. Whether you’re travelling as a couple or with family, it’s a wonderful way to enjoy the coast while helping to protect the shoreline and its wildlife. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to make lasting memories—even four-legged friends have been known to find lost tennis balls and beach treasures along the way!

Enjoy the Coastline

Enjoy the great outdoors by the coast! Walking along the beach while collecting litter allows you to appreciate the beauty of our shoreline, and you might even spot some of our Big 5 wildlife species along the way.

Support the Local Environment

By removing harmful waste, such as plastic and fishing gear, you’re helping to protect marine animals and birds. Every small effort contributes to a larger impact in preserving the ocean ecosystem.

Meet Local People

Beach cleans are fantastic social events where you can connect with locals and fellow holidaymakers. Lovat Parks team members often use their paid volunteering time to take part, making it a community-driven initiative and a great reflection of our B Corp values.

Find Unusual Treasures

One of the most exciting parts of beach cleans is discovering unexpected items and sharing them with fellow volunteers. In 1997, a cargo ship spill off the coast of Cornwall sent nearly five million Lego pieces into the sea, many of which are still washing up today. Among the most sought after finds is the rare black octopus—one was even discovered in Marazion by a thirteen year old in 2024! Our 2024 end of year beach clean with Surfers Against Sewage uncovered a Halloween Lego arm holding a pumpkin! However, the prize for the strangest find went to a USA baggage search notice. In 2023, we even discovered a 2001 Safeway crisp packet buried in the sand dunes at Mawgan Porth near Sun Haven.

Do Beach Cleans Really Make a Difference?

Absolutely! While an individual beach clean may seem small, the collective impact is significant. Removing litter not only improves the aesthetic appeal of the beach but also prevents harm to wildlife and reduces plastic pollution in our oceans. Organisations like Surfers Against Sewage and Beach Guardian work tirelessly to educate and engage communities in these efforts.

Did you know?

• 640,000 tonnes of discarded fishing gear end up in the ocean every year.
• A single abandoned net can kill an estimated 500,000 marine invertebrates, 1,700 fish, and four seabirds.
• Over 12 million tonnes of plastic enter the ocean annually.
• By 2050, plastic is projected to outweigh all fish in the sea.

Do You Need Permission to Clean a Beach?

If you’re picking up litter on a public beach, you generally don’t need permission. However, if you’re unsure or want to participate in an organised effort, it’s best to join an official beach clean event. Many organisations provide the necessary equipment and safety guidance, ensuring a productive and enjoyable experience.

Where to Find a Local Beach Clean

There are several ways to locate a beach clean near you:

• Ask us at reception – Our Cornish teams can provide details on upcoming events.
• Follow social media groups – Pages like Beach Guardian and Surfers Against Sewage post regular updates.
• Use online resources – Websites such as Million Mile Clean list scheduled clean-ups.
• Look at community noticeboards – Local conservation groups and councils often post information about upcoming events.

By joining a beach clean, you’re not only helping the environment but also becoming part of a movement dedicated to preserving our coastlines for future generations. So next time you visit the beach, why not bring a bag and make a difference?

Book a holiday with us 

At Lovat, we encourage our team to give back by offering two volunteer days per year. One cause especially close to our Cornish teams’ hearts is our beach clean initiatives. You may have spotted our beach clean stations at our parks or noticed fellow visitors collecting litter on your last seaside trip. Why not experience the beauty of the coastline while making a positive impact? Book a stay at one of Lovat Parks’ stunning holiday locations and take part in a beach clean during your visit to one of our coastal parks in Cornwall. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled break, our parks provide the perfect base to explore, relax, and give back to nature. 

Book now