They are the views that great British holidays – and postcards – are made of.
But our 'seascapes' must be given the same protection as treasured landscapes to ensure they aren't lost to development, campaigners have warned.
Organisations including the National Trust are calling for the Government to protect them from development such as wind turbines, oil extraction, dredging for aggregates, port building and increased shipping.
Vulnerable: The view from Rhossili Cliffs on the east, Gower Peninsula in South Wales is among the seascapes that should be given special protection
Picturesque: Chyngton Farm in the foreground looks out over the Seven Sisters Cliffs in the distance
They name the four pictured above as classic examples.
It is more than 60 years since landscapes were given protection as national parks and areas of outstanding natural beauty, but restrictions end at the water's edge.
Phil Dyke, from the National Trust, said: 'As an island nation it does seem strange that it’s taken us more than six decades to start thinking about how we protect our seascapes.'
Anomaly: Though landscapes such as Kynance Cove, The Lizard, Cornwall, were given protection 60 years ago, the restrictions do not apply to the sea itself
Unspoilt: A deserted beach at Formby would not be improved with wind turbines says the National Trust