Do you remember the first piece of sea glass you found? In this article, I look back on when I first started hunting sea glass. If you’re new to sea glass collecting, don’t fear - it really is easy when you know how. Read on to find out how I got started, and don’t forget to check out my top tips for finding sea glass.

Memories of sea glass hunting at Charmouth Beach, Dorset

Up until my late twenties I’d never lived by a coastline, but in the summer of 2017 I spent six months calling England’s Southwest coast home. Specifically, Dorset’s dramatic Jurassic coastline. It is a stunning part of the UK and well worth a visit if you are planning a trip.

There are so many things to do in Dorset, but one of my favourite habits was taking a daily walk along the beach. I watched as the calmness of the summer sea slowly gave way to the turning season, and all the bitter winds and the crashing waves that came with it. Witnessing how powerful the sea can be during bad weather is both thrilling and humbling. One of my favourite things to do during particularly stormy days was to jump in the car and head to Charmouth beach.

If you have not yet had the pleasure of visiting, Charmouth is a particularly beautiful stretch of the Dorset coastline without as many tourists as the nearby Hive Beach (of Broadchurch fame). It is most famous for the extraordinary amount of prehistoric fossils that have been discovered there; most notably by Mary Anning, a key figure in palaeontology (who sadly being female received little credit throughout her life – that fun old chestnut). You can still find small fossils like ammonites quite easily among the pebbles.

 As genuinely exciting as finding a small fossil was, I am unashamed to say that when hunting through the patterned little stones, seashells and the occasional prehistoric fossil, my most treasured finds were actually pieces of sea glass. Looking for sea glass became an almost natural reflex when walking along the many beaches in Dorset, and it was the start of a passionate hobby that eventually led to the creation of Wild Soul.

Charmouth in particular was a treasure trove for sea glass, but if you know what you're looking for, you can find sea glass on a LOT of beaches. Check out my article on 10 top tips for finding sea glass.

If you’re heading to Dorset any time soon, I’d really recommend Charmouth as a place to find sea glass. And don’t forget to stop by the Anchor Inn in Seatown for a drink and some lunch. Their menu changes with the seasons, and they source their food from organic and local suppliers as much as they can. The best combination!