FAQs
If you can’t find the answer to your question below, please get in touch.
What is beachcombing?
It’s a treasure hunt! When you slow down and really look at the beach, it’s incredible what you can find. Treasures hidden amongst the stones include cannibals, carnivores, egg cases, and fossils, like sharks’ teeth, that are millions of years old.
What is Beach Bonkers and what does it do?
Beach Bonkers was founded by Kate Osborne (and it’s still just Kate!) to use beachcombing to inspire people about Suffolk’s shingle beaches. I do this by taking people on guided beachcombs along our coast, helping them to identify and interpret their finds, I also give talks and take a mini beach, display table and board game to locations like schools, libraries, and nature reserves.
I have yet to meet anyone who didn’t enjoy the thrill of the treasure hunt that is beachcombing. Finding a 50 million year old fossil shark tooth is exciting, whatever your age. My favourite comment at the end of a beachcomb is “I will never look at a beach the same way again.” That’s exactly what I want to achieve.
Is it true you’re retiring?
Yes. My very last events will be April 9th 2024. I am available to book for bespoke beachcombs and talks up until that date. There’s some free events coming up in local libraries too. For details drop me an email to be added to my mailing list or keep an eye on my social media accounts for details. Sorry but there are no more public beachcombing dates.
But you’ll still be leading walks and giving talks right? No, after that date I will not be available for any more walks or talks. I am sure Beach Bonkers will still be vocal on social media and blogs though :)
But what on earth are you going to do? Have no fear - I’ve got loads of plans. I’m just retiring from working, not from living!
Will someone else be taking over, doing what you do? No.
Are you going to sell Beach Bonkers? Absolutely not - I am inextricably entwined with Beach Bonkers. It was always my personal vision and has always been about sustainable beachcombing. If I sold Beach Bonkers I have no guarantee my vision would be honoured.
Can you do a bespoke beachcomb just for me and my family/friends?
Yes, with pleasure. For the best treasures I recommend Felixstowe, Bawdsey or Sizewell beaches and you can read more about them here. There is lots more info about booking me to take you on a bespoke beachcomb here. Please drop me a mail with your phone number or give me a call if you want to have a chat about creating your perfect treasure hunt. You can read testimonials here from other bespoke beachcombers who’ve been on a treasure hunt with me.
I can also take your club, WI etc beachcombing. There is more info here. Please drop me a mail with your phone number or give me a call if you want to have a chat about this.
Do you give talks about beachcombing?
Absolutely! My talk is entitled “Suffolk Shingle: Tales of Treasure and Trash” and you can read more about them here. The cost is £70. I only charge for travel time if the journey is an hour or more each way. I am often able to give talks at short notice should a planned speaker be unavailable. My talk is very hands-on, with lots for your members to handle and explore. A frequent comment from audiences is “the best talk we’ve had in ages” and you can read other testimonials from people who’ve heard me talk here.
What’s so special about Suffolk’s shingle beaches anyway?
It might look like a pile of old stones, but there are tons of treasures to be found in the shingle. Have you ever seen an 80 million year old fossil sea sponge? You will if you come on a Beach Bonkers beachcomb! Did you know that shingle beaches like those we have in Suffolk are found in only three places in the world?
Which beaches do you do your walks on and which is the best?
I think the best Suffolk beaches for beachcombing (with or without me) are Felixstowe, Bawdsey or Sizewell and you can find out more about them here.
Why don’t you have beachcombing walks on Aldeburgh & Southwold beaches?
I would love to do walks at Aldeburgh & Southwold. However, there are fewer treasures to be found there than we will find at Felixstowe, Bawdsey and Sizewell so I tend to concentrate on those beaches.
How do I find out what beachcombing events you’ve got on?
Please take a look at the events page of my website or email me at BeachBonkersHQ@gmail.com and ask to be added to my mailing list. I promise to send no more than 4 emails a year and will never share your details with anyone else.
I am miles away from the beach. How can I go beachcombing?
I can bring the beach to you! I have a portable mini beach where you can hunt for treasure including fossil sharks’ teeth, a giant beachcombing board game and a tableful of treasures for you to touch and explore. Please get in touch to find out more. I charge £75 an hour for a minimum of two hours. I do not charge for travel time, set up or take down time.
You can also book me for my talk entitled “Suffolk Shingle: Tales of Treasure & Trash.”
How can I help support you/Beach Bonkers?
Book me for a beachcomb or to give your group a talk. If you’ve enjoyed a beachcombing event with me, then please tell other people about me. I get most of my work through word-of-mouth recommendations.
You can also make a donation to my work inspiring people about Suffolk’s special shingle beaches here.
Please can you identify this find for me?
I get asked to identify a lot of things for people and it can be very time-consuming. If you’ve found something on the beach and want it identified I recommend you join these two Facebook groups “Beachcombing (British coastline)” and “Suffolk Fossil Finds.” There are lots of people in these groups who can help you to quickly identify your find.
What can I take away from the beach?
I can’t comment on the legal position. Shingle beaches can seem like nothing more than stones. They are actually complex and surprisingly fragile habitats that change constantly. This is what I would suggest:
take away as much rubbish as you can.
it’s okay to take sea glass and sea pottery - it’s essentially litter, just pretty!
please always leave driftwood & seaweed on the beach. They are critical components of the beach’s fragile ecosystem, providing food and shelter to tiny creatures that prop up the entire food chain of the beach.
never pick plants or take away other living things such as shells with creatures inside.
stranded starfish may look dead but are usually still alive, please leave them on the beach.
ask yourself: who needs this the most? Me, for a decoration in my house, or the beach and its creatures?
Why don’t you have cheaper tickets for kids?
Because regardless of age everyone has the same fab beachcombing experience.
Why are your beachcombing walks so cheap?
I’ve also been asked why my walks are so expensive! They’re so “cheap” because Beach Bonkers is just me. I set the charges at what I think is a reasonable cost for what I am offering that also covers my expenses.
Why are your beachcombing walks so expensive?
I’ve also been asked why my walks are so cheap! They’re so “expensive” because I offer a unique experience you’ll never forget. I set the charges at what I think is a reasonable cost for what I am offering that also covers my expenses.