Beginners Seaweed Search

An evening seaweed search for the whole family, timed with the lowest tide.

Join us at Goat Ledge, St Leonards, for a FREE seaweed search as part of the national Big Seaweed Search. This introductory session is suitable for adults and children aged 6+, making it a great opportunity for families to explore the shore together. No experience is needed—we'll have seaweed identification guides to help us discover what's growing along the shore.

As the tide reaches its lowest point, we'll head out onto the rocky shore to identify and record the seaweeds we find. Our  observations will get logged and fed back to the Natural History Museum and the Marine Conservation Society's Big Seaweed Search programme, adding our stretch of coast to the national picture of how our seas are changing.

We'll be paddling through shallow water, so be ready to get your feet & legs wet. Swimwear or clothes you don't mind getting wet are ideal. Also the rocks can be slippery and a bit scratchy with barnacles, so leggings or trousers you don't mind getting wet can help protect your legs.   Bring a towel and a change of clothes for afterwards. The sand can also be soft, squelchy and muddy, so water shoes or old trainers are best (please avoid Crocs, slides or flip-flops).

Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult throughout the session.

Refreshments will be provided, including the chance to sample some seaweed snacks!

Our aim is to help more people discover the wildlife on their doorstep while contributing to real marine conservation research. This event is free to attend thanks to the kind support from the Hastings Voluntary Action Community Nature Connections Grant.

This event is weather and tide dependent. After booking, we'll email you with the final meeting time, full joining instructions, what to bring, and any updates if conditions require changes. 

Transport: 10 mins walk from St Leonards Warrior Square train station. Limited free parking in square. Many busses stop at goat ledge including the 98, 99, 99E, 319, 321, 322, 322C, 323 & 323B.