Yesterday I stumbled across a piece in the BBC Magazine about the beaches in Cornwall where Lego has been washing up for almost 20 years. Although not great for the environment, it’s become an attraction in the area, especially as much of the Lego has a nautical theme. If you’re holidaying in the area this summer, you may want to look out for these brightly coloured pieces on the beach and have your very own treasure hunt this summer.
It all began back in 1997 when a container ship got into trouble off the Cornish coast and listed badly in a freak wave. Many containers were thrown overboard, releasing 4.8 million Lego pieces into the sea. In the 17 years since, holidaymakers and locals have been finding these pieces washed up on the beach.
Immediately after the disaster the area was awash with Cutlasses, Octopusses, Flippers and Dragons but as the years have gone by, these nautical items have become the holy grail for holidaymakers seeking the item. Now, 17 years later, Lego pieces are still to be found on beaches in the area from Perranporth to Newquay.
If you’re heading to the area for a camping or caravan holiday this summer, here’s what to look out for on the beach if you want to come away with some Lego:
- Lego Toy Kits – Divers, Aquazone, Aquanauts, Police, FrightKnights, WildWest, RoboForce, TimeCruisers, Outback, Pirates
- Red and Yellow Spear Guns
- Black Octopusses
- Yellow Life Preservers
- Diver Flippers in black, blue and red
- Dragons in black and green
- Brown Ship rigging nets
- Daisy flowers in white, red and yellow
- Scuba and diving apparatus
On a pollution level, if you find some Lego on the beach this summer, you’ll notice it’s absolutely perfect, despite its 17 years in the sea. Take your litter home with you, don’t leave it on the beach, and take any Lego you find home too!
Original BBC article
Caravan Sites in Cornwall
By: Kath Cross
