Τελευταία ενημέρωση τον Φεβρουάριο 11, 2023

Η Μεγάλη Βρετανία δεν έχει κλίμα ερήμου, καθώς έχει εύκρατο θαλάσσιο κλίμα με ήπιο καιρό και γενικά μέτρια επίπεδα βροχοπτώσεων.

The term “desert” is usually used to describe areas that receive less than 25 εκ (10 ίντσες) βροχοπτώσεων ανά έτος, and there is no such environment in the UK.

Ωστόσο, there are some areas of the country that are much drier than others, particularly in the southeast of England, which can experience drought conditions at certain times of the year.

Μπουντρότητα, η μόνη «έρημος" στο Ηνωμένο Βασίλειο.
Μπουντρότητα, the only “desert” of Great Britain.

These areas may be referred to locally as “deserts”, but they do not have the same characteristics as true deserts, which are defined by their extremely dry conditions and lack of vegetation.

This means that όχι, there are no true deserts in the UK, but you can still find some desert-like environments, συμπεριλαμβανομένων των αμμοθινών. One location in particular, Μπουντρότητα, is often referred to as the United Kingdom’s “only” desert.

Μπουντρότητα, the only “desert” in the UK

Dungeness a headland on the coast of Kent, in the southeast of England, and one of the largest expanses of shingle in Europe.

Dungeness is not a desert in the true sense of the word, as it does not have the extremely dry conditions and lack of vegetation that are typical of deserts, but it is characterized by an unusually dry environment, a landscape devoid of the green hills which are commonly found pretty much everywhere else in the country.

Μπουντρότητα, the only desert in Great Britain. Romney Marsh, Kent, Ηνωμένο Βασίλειο.
Μπουντρότητα, Romney Marsh, Kent, Ηνωμένο Βασίλειο.

The area has a very unique and distinctive appearance, with its flat expanse of shingle and its sparse vegetation, which is adapted to the harsh conditions of the exposed coastal location.

Dungeness has been designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is home to a wide variety of bird and plant life, including several species that are found nowhere else in the United Kingdom.

It is also home to a shingle beach and a unique landscape of salt marshes and wetlands, as well as a nuclear power station and a nature reserve.

Φτάνοντας εκεί

To reach Dungeness you can take a train to the nearby town of Rye and then take a bus or taxi to the Dungeness headland.

The closest major city is London, που αφορά 2 hours away by train. Εναλλακτικά, you can drive from London, taking the M20 motorway and then following the signs for Dungeness. Once you arrive at Dungeness, there are several car parks and visitor centers where you can park and start exploring the area.

The reserve has several walking trails that will take you through the unique landscape and allow you to spot some of the unique bird and plant life that calls Dungeness home. It is also recommendable to check for parking availability before visiting.


Other desert-like locations in Great Britain

Besides Dungeness, there are several other desert-like landscapes in the UK, συμπεριλαμβανομένου:

  • The Bodmin Moor in Cornwall: The Bodmin Moor is a barren, windswept landscape with rolling hills and rugged valleys. It resembles a desert with its harsh climate and limited vegetation. The moor is a unique habitat that is home to a variety of wildlife and plants, including the rare bird species such as the merlin and the skylark.
  • The Brecon Beacons in Wales: The Brecon Beacons is a mountainous area with heathland and peat bogs that are often referred to as “moors.” The region is known for its rugged beauty and unique landscapes. The rolling hills, high plateaus and deep valleys resemble a desert with its barren and exposed terrain. The region is also home to a variety of wildlife, including the red kite, which is a bird of prey found in this area.
  • Dartmoor in Devon: Dartmoor is a large, remote and often barren moorland that resembles a desert with its open and rolling hills, rocky outcroppings and sparse vegetation. Despite its harsh appearance, Dartmoor is home to a rich cultural history and diverse landscape, including ancient stone circles, deep valleys, and towering tors.
  • The North York Moors in Yorkshire: The North York Moors is a rolling hills of heath and moorland that stretch across the northern coast of England. The region is characterized by its barren, windswept terrain and sparse vegetation. The moorland is a unique and isolated area, with a rich history and cultural heritage that includes the iconic Whitby Abbey and the ancient city of York.
  • The Howgill Fells in Cumbria: The Howgill Fells is a range of low hills and rolling pastures that resemble a desert with their sparse vegetation and wide open spaces. Despite their remote and rugged appearance, the Howgill Fells are home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, including the red squirrel, roe deer, and an array of bird species.

βίντεο: Wild Camping in Britain’s Only Desert

UK Desert FAQs

Why is Dungeness referred to as the only desert in Great Britain?

Dungeness is referred to as the only desert in Great Britain due to its unusual dry environment and lack of vegetation, which is similar to that of a desert, although it is not a true desert as it receives more rainfall and has different environmental characteristics.

Why are there no true deserts in the UK?

There are no deserts in Great Britain because the country has a temperate maritime climate with mild weather and generally moderate levels of rainfall. The term “desert” is usually used to describe areas that receive less than 25 εκ (10 ίντσες) βροχοπτώσεων ανά έτος, and there is no such environment in the UK. While there are some areas of the country that are drier than others, they do not meet the definition of a true desert.

Are there sand dunes in the UK?

Ναί, there are sand dunes in the UK. Sand dunes are found along the coasts of the UK, particularly in the southeast of England and in Scotland. These dunes are formed as sand is transported from the beach to the coastal hinterland by the wind, where it accumulates and is shaped into dunes by the prevailing wind direction.

What are the largest sand dunes in the UK?

The largest sand dunes in the UK are found in Scotland, along the coast of the Moray Firth in the northeast of the country. These sand dunes, known as the Culbin Sands, cover an area of over 6,000 hectares and are some of the largest sand dunes in Europe. The Culbin Sands are a unique and important habitat for a variety of wildlife and plants, including rare species that are adapted to the harsh conditions of the sand dune environment.

In England, the largest sand dunes can be found along the coast of Norfolk and Suffolk in the southeast of the country. These sand dunes, known as the Holkham and Winterton Dunes, are home to a variety of wildlife and plants, including rare species that are adapted to the unique conditions of the sand dune environment.

Διαβάστε επίσης: Sandboarding στο Ηνωμένο Βασίλειο

Αφήστε μια απάντηση