These nations are leading the charge in protecting our precious ecosystems
This quaint harbor village is known for its steep cobbled pedestrianized street lined with historic listed buildings. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
Built around a harbor, Crail has a particular wealth of period buildings from the 17th to early 19th centuries.
Picturesque Mousehole lies within the Cornwall Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
One of two settlements on Mersea Island, south of Colchester, West Mersea lies on the site of a Roman port. The island is famous for its oysters, taken from oyster beds also dating back to the Roman era. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY 2.0)
The much-trodden South West Coast Path passes through the scenic village of Portloe.
Hope Cove has two beaches, and is sheltered by the headland of Bolt Tail. In 1588, the ships of the Spanish Armada passed the village as they moved up the English Channel.
The largest town on, and capital of, the Isle of Skye in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland, Portree was a popular point of departure for Scots in the 1700s sailing to America to escape poverty.
Formerly one of the many fishing centers in England, Staithes is now largely a tourist destination within North York Moors National Park.
Port Isaac's pier was constructed during the reign of Henry VIII, a time when the pilchard fishing industry in Cornwall was thriving.
Located on the Lizard Peninsula, Cadgwith Cove has its origins in medieval times. A pub, the Cadgwith Cove Inn, is thought to be over 400 years old.
Gorey is dominated by the splendid 13th-century Mont Orgueil castle, built to protect Jersey from the French.
Robin Hood's Bay is a small fishing village and a bay located in North York Moors National Park. The town, which consists of a maze of tiny streets, has a historic tradition of smuggling.
Lochinver is the second largest fishing port in Scotland. But it's the Suilven mountain, rising from a wilderness landscape of moorland, bogs, and lochans, that defines the village's landscape.
Here's a little known fact about Pittenweem: the village is the birthplace of Ian Stewart, co-founder of the Rolling Stones. He was removed from the lineup in 1963, although he sporadically played and recorded with the band in later years. He died in 1985. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 3.0)
St Abbs is a popular site for scuba divers, drawn to the clear waters and spectacular underwater scenery that is the area's Voluntary Marine Reserve.
Set near the mouth of the River Tywi and named originally for its ferry crossing facility, the village today is known for its rich shellfish harvest.
The area in and around County Waterford was originally home to Viking and Norman settlers. Fish was an important part of their diet, and for hundreds of years a fishing community lived here.
Located on the southwestern part of Mainland Orkney, Stromness is a long-established sea port; in Viking times the anchorage where Stromness now stands was called Hamnavoe, meaning "peaceful" or "safe harbor."
The walled seaside town of Tenby is known for its sandy beaches, well-preserved period architecture, and the nearby Pembrokeshire Coast Walk.
Glenarm takes its name from the glen in which it lies, the southernmost of the nine Glens of Antrim.
Idyllic Cushendun and its sheltered harbor lies at the mouth of the River Dun and Glendun, one of the nine Glens of Antrim.
Enjoying a rich maritime, mineral, and tourist heritage, Whitby also has a strong literary tradition. Charles Dickens is known to have visited the town, and part of Bram Stoker's novel 'Dracula' is set here.
Picture-perfect Ilfracombe delights the eye with its small harbor surrounded by cliffs. The landmark Hillsborough Hill is the site of an Iron Age fortified settlement.
Founded as a fishing port in 1788, Tobermory's colorful quay front is lined with shops and restaurants decorated in vibrant hues, making it a popular destination for television productions filmed in Scotland.
In existence since well before the Norman invasion of 1066, charming Fowey was known in the past for exporting china clay (kaolinate) across the Empire.'
See also: 30 facts you probably didn't know about the English Channel.
A popular seaside resort, Bangor was a preferred destination for Victorian pleasure seekers. Many of the houses overlooking Bangor Bay date from this period. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 2.0)
Lying along the coast of the Firth of Clyde, historic Rothesay can be reached by ferry from Wemyss Bay, which serves the Isle of Bute.
A village set at the mouth of the River Torridge, Appledore is home to Hocking's Ice Cream, a brand of delicious ice cream only sold in North Devon.
Ventnor became extremely fashionable as both a health and holiday resort in the late 19th century, described as the "English Mediterranean" and "Mayfair by the Sea." (Photo: Flickr/CC BY 2.0)
Hastings is a fishing port with the UK's largest beach-based fishing fleet. The town gives its name to the Battle of Hastings, which took place 13 km (8 mi) to the north-west at Senlac Hill in 1066.
Great Britain, an island nation, is characterized by some wonderfully picturesque coastal towns and villages. So too is Ireland. Many of these communities have a history that goes back centuries, and enjoy a maritime heritage befitting their seafront location. But where exactly are these picture-perfect, salt-laced destinations?
Click through the following gallery for an armchair tour of some of the most scenic shoreline settlements in the British Isles.
Britain and Ireland's scenic coastal towns and villages
Where to find the most attractive shoreline settlements
TRAVEL Fishing villages
Great Britain, an island nation, is characterized by some wonderfully picturesque coastal towns and villages. So too is Ireland. Many of these communities have a history that goes back centuries, and enjoy a maritime heritage befitting their seafront location. But where exactly are these picture-perfect, salt-laced destinations?
Click through the following gallery for an armchair tour of some of the most scenic shoreline settlements in the British Isles.