
Unpacking the Case - Real Estate Law Podcast
When Land Meets the Sea: Who owns Foreshore?
Who owns the land between high and low tide? Can the Crown claim ownership of coastal land through adverse possession? What rights do the public really have to use beaches? In this episode of the our miniseries ‘When Land Meets The Sea’, hosts Richard and Lizzie explore ownership of the foreshore and coastal land in England and Wales. Drawing on cases including Blundell v Catterall (1821), Mark Andrew Roberts v Crown Estate Commissioners (2008) and Mark Andrew Robert v Swangrove Estates Ltd & Ors (2007), Richard examine’s the centuries-old legal principles that continue to shape our coastline today. They discuss: • Why the public does not automatically have a legal right to use the foreshore • How the Crown Estate came to own most of the foreshore around England and Wales • Whether the Crown can acquire land through adverse possession (squatter's rights) • The legal battle over ownership of the Severn Estuary foreshore • The significance of dredging, licensing and coastal management activities in establishing ownership rights • The continuing impact of adverse possession principles following JA Pye (Oxford) Ltd v Graham When Land Meets The Sea is a podcast series exploring the legal, commercial and environmental issues shaping the future of Britain's coastal communities. Get in touch! Training & Free Webinars for Property Professionals: Would you like to keep up to date with the latest in real estate law? Davitt Jones Bould offers legal training tailored to your organisation’s needs, delivered in person across the UK or remotely. We also run free monthly webinars through for surveyors, solicitors, and property professionals across sectors. To sign up or learn more, visit our events page here or email djb.events@djblaw.co.uk for information and booking. This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide legal or professional advice. No liability is accepted by Davitt Jones Bould for any reliance placed on its content. Get in touch!






