Cornish beach named in the top ten sounds of the Great British Outdoors
The list is part of a campaign to encourage people to spend more time in nature.
Waves crashing on Gwithian Beach in Cornwall has been included in a list of The Top 10 Sounds of the Great British Outdoors, revealed as part of a campaign to encourage people across the UK to spend more time in nature.
The top 10 was compiled by experts from Cotswold Outdoor in partnership with award-winning wildlife field recordist and sound designer Pete Smith, whose extensive credits include the BBC and Channel 4, and Helen Glover MBE, member of the Great Britain Rowing Team, double-Olympic Gold medallist and self-confessed outdoor enthusiast.
The crunching of autumn leaves underfoot topped the list of the best sounds of the natural world identified by the team, while the best of British wildlife was also included.
“There can be no doubt that it’s been a difficult year for many and, as times have become increasingly worrying and uncertain, so many of us have made the most of having more opportunities to spend time outside – whether it was during our one hour of allotted exercise per day back in the first lockdown, while taking a break from the pressures of working from home and home schooling, when enjoying our vacations in the UK or now with national lockdowns.
“In an uncertain world, you can count on one thing – the outdoors is right where you left it, and as the seasons change, we hope our Top 10 Sounds of the Great British Outdoors provides inspiration for everyone in Cornwall to get out and about in their local area.
"No matter where you are in the UK, you only have to step outside your door to hear nature and a whole host of soothing and restorative sounds, so why not go out into your neighbourhood and discover your favourite?
“The UK is spectacular at this time of year and there are so many advantages to getting outdoors and rediscovering the natural world right where you live.
"The sounds of nature have proven therapeutic benefits – lowering blood pressure levels of the stress hormone cortisol, so they are the perfect antidote to the stresses of modern living.”
Jose Finch, Managing Director at Outdoor and Cycle Concepts, parent company of Cotswold Outdoor
Wildlife field recordist and sound designer Pete Smith, who lives just outside Edinburgh, spent two days in the field prior to the latest lockdown measures capturing examples of The Top 10 Sounds of the Great British Outdoors for Cotswold Outdoor, as well as sourcing sounds from his archive and other libraries.
The sounds are all now available to listen to here, along with advice and inspiration on how to make the most of time spent in nature.
“I love being outdoors and I’m fortunate to spend a lot of time in the natural environment, either for solo training sessions or when I’m enjoying local adventures with my family.
"I find that there’s always that moment when I stop and focus on the sounds of my surroundings – it helps to clear my mind and I instantly feel more relaxed.
“It was a pleasure to contribute to the Top 10 Sounds of the Great British Outdoors, although difficult to conjure up a shortlist of favourites.
"At the moment, autumnal walks with my boys are fun, with the noise of fallen leaves crunching underfoot.
"I grew up in Cornwall and will always enjoy coastal walks accompanied by the ebb and flow of the tide, particularly on a stormy day when the waves are roaring and crashing.
“As well as grounding me in the moment, I find sounds can be so evocative too. When I think back to past adventures, it’s the crackle of the campfire, the lapping of kayak paddles on a lake and the mew-like call of red kites in the trees that bring back such warm memories and make me yearn to get outdoors.”
Helen Glover MBE
"To me, sound is everything, so it has been interesting how people have tuned into the sounds of their surroundings more than ever throughout 2020.
"It was the year that everything stopped and, as the traffic noise quietened during lockdown and our streets fell silent, the sounds of the outdoors became acutely more noticeable.
“I’ve always been more relaxed and mindful when surrounded by the calming sounds of nature.
"Whether I’m camping out overnight during fishing trips to the Isle of Eigg and listening to the rain pelting the tent or walking along the sand dunes and hearing the wind whistling through the grass, sound is such an important and immersive part of spending time outdoors.
“However, for me, the very best sounds of the outdoors are the display calls of the curlew in spring. I grew up in a small village in South West Scotland surrounded by farmland, and curlews used to nest all around my house.
"Often, on moonlit nights, they would fly and sing all through the night. Whenever I hear them now, I am instantly eight years old again out in the field in front of my house.
"Sadly, curlews are now declining in numbers so it’s important to get out and enjoy these wonderful sounds while we can.”
Pete Smith, Field recordist and sound designer
Top 10 Sounds of the Great British Outdoors
- Leaves crunching underfoot in woodland in the Chilterns
- Waterfall in South Dartmoor
- The rustling of the wind through pine trees in Kielder Forest
- Rain on a tent in the Scottish Highlands
- Red kites calling
6. Waves crashing on Gwithian Beach in Cornwall
- The display calls of the curlew
- Wind blowing through the grass at sand dunes on Tyninghame Beach
- The cuckoo calling
- Skylark song