Can you remember why the sea is salty?How does the moon affect the tide?Where were Britain's most notorious places for smugglers?And what was the mystery of St Michael's Mount?There are almost as many stories about the sea as there are pebbles on the beach. Beside the Seaside is a book for anyone who has been captivated by the crash of waves on sand, thrilled by the exploits of pirates or delighted in an ice cream at the end of the pier.Answering such questions as what to look for in rock pools, which are the best knots and how to avoid being cursed by a mermaid, Beside the Seaside is bursting with facts, fables, history and mystery about Britain's seaside and coast.

Can you remember why the sea is salty?
How does the moon affect the tide?
Where was Britain's most notorious place for smugglers?
And what were the mysteries of St Michael's Mount?

Whether it's with a bucket and space on a sandy beach or a windswept cliff-top walk, there is nothing like a trip to the sea. Beside the Seaside is an indispensable guide to seaside lore, with entertaining facts about everything from sea shanties and wreckers to crabs and jellyfish.