Though most of England’s Mesolithic coastlines have now been covered by sea, some evidence of how Mesolithic people used coastal resources has been preserved in south-west England. The site of Westward Ho! in Devon now lies on a beach covered by sand. However when Mesolithic people lived there sea levels were about seven meters lower than today and the site was located in a clearing in oak and hazel woodland, on the mouth of a river, a short distance from the sea.

The site consists of a midden (rubbish heap) containing the food debris of shell and bones that Mesolithic people left behind. From the remains found in the midden we can tell that they collected mussels from the rocky shores to the south of the site and other shellfish from the mud of the estuary. They also hunted deer, wild cattle and wild pig in the land behind the shore. Flint from the beach was also used to make tools for the repair of hunting and fishing equipment.

Another shell midden is known from the site of Culverwell on the island of Portland, Dorset. This midden was next to a spring and near the beach, where people collected mussels and limpets. Few animal bones were preserved, but hazelnuts and deliberately pierced shells were found.