The highest beach in Britain: People flock to secluded destination 780ft above sea level

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The highest beach in Britain: People flock to secluded destination 780ft above sea level SUNSEEKERS are flocking to Britain's highest beach which is 780 feet above sea level and 60 miles inland to enjoy the heatwave gripping the country.

By: Dion Dassanayake

Published: Thu, July 18, 2013

 

The beach in Yorkshire is located 780ft above sea level (PIC: ROSS PARRY)

The beach is found after a 40-minute walk up a hilly footpaths in Yorkshire and is generally known only to local people who have discovered in thanks to Twitter and Facebook.

 

Despite the beach being in a remote location and being signposted, it has enjoyed a surge of visitors looking to touch up their tan during the hot weather.

 

The secret stretch of land, which is located next to the Gaddings Dam, has been filled with Britons armed with beachwear, lilos as well as buckets and spades.

 

Lauren Hurst, 24, has lived at nearby village Todmorden all her life but only visited the beach for the first time last week.

The secret stretch of land is generally only known by locals (PIC: ROSS PARRY)

The secret beach is located in a corner of the Gaddings Dam (PIC: ROSS PARRY)

She said: "I have been to the beach three times in the past week, and although I knew it was there I didn't know how nice it actually was.

 

"Even though it's relatively quiet during the week, the beach is absolutely packed with local people on a weekend."

 

Janet Sefton is landlady of the Shepherd's Rest, the nearest pub to the triangular inset of land just three miles away from it.

The beach is found after a 40-minute walk up a hilly footpaths in Yorkshire (PIC: ROSS PARRY)

The beach has enjoyed a surge of visitors looking to touch up their tan (PIC: ROSS PARRY)

 

It's incredible that we have a beach so high up and miles away from the nearest coast

Pub landlady Janet Sefton

She said the beach is nearly as popular with residents as seaside hotspot Blackpool

 

Ms Sefton said: "We have seen families absolutely pack the beach out recently, with barbecues and canoes being brought up to the spot.

 

"It's incredible that we have a beach so high up and miles away from the nearest coast.

 

"It does take a good walk to get to the beach, and it's not for the faint hearted but it is totally worth it in the end.

 

"It's a fantastic spot and such a unique and secluded beach, and it brings us great trade to our pub from visitors to the area."

Alyssiea Endley and Lauren Hurst enjoying the hot weather (PIC: ROSS PARRY)

Alyssiea plays with a lilo at the beach (PIC: ROSS PARRY)

Lauren has been to the beach three times in the last week (PIC: ROSS PARRY)

The sandy area in the corner of the Gaddings Dam, which is four acres and contains 100,000 cubic metres of water, is believed to be naturally occurring.

 

Experts also believe the secluded beach could be a by-prodct of dressing nearby sandstone for the dam's wall.

 

The dam was emptied in the past but during the 1960s was full again and has remained that way since then.

The beach is 60 miles inland (PIC: ROSS PARRY)

The sandy area in the corner of the Gaddings Dam (PIC: ROSS PARRY)