Do i need permission to take drift wood from a beach in the UK?

Question

I was wanting the wood (old trees) for a wood burner in my home.

But my friend said he thinks I may need permission to remove objects from the beach, is this the case?

Many thanks.

Answer 1

Anything that can be covered by high water mark is owned by the crown estates.

Strictly speaking therefore it belongs to Betty in Buck House.

.

Answer 2

No

Answer 3

Technically yes, in practice no. Everything between high and low water mark is indeed owned by the Crown, one way or another, above the high water mark it is owned by somebody else, be it the Council, MoD, National Trust or private owner,whatever. Unless you have a particularly fractious beach owner there'll be no problem.  You ought, I suppose, to try and find out who owns it and ask permission but hardly anyone does.

Our local council is delighted for anyone to do that, and the beach is often alive with people picking up driftwood after a storm.  Saves the council having to drag it away in order to tidy the beach for the visitors.

I, too, am sure Betty wouldn't mind, or around here Charlie-boy - besides it's all good reycling, isn't it?

Answer 4

to h**l with it! take it anyway!

"Anything that can be covered by high water mark is owned by the crown estates."

so does that mean you can't take shells? because i got a massive collection of them!