{
  "version": "1.2",
  "reviewedOn": "2026-09-11",
  "publisher": "Down The Cove editorial team",
  "evidenceType": "Desk-researched reference, not original field observations",
  "sources": {
    "cornwall": {
      "label": "Visit Cornwall: guide to crabbing",
      "url": "https://www.visitcornwall.com/things-to-do/insider-recommendations/kids-stuff-an-essential-guide-to-crabbing"
    },
    "devon": {
      "label": "Visit South Devon: crabbing hotspots",
      "url": "https://www.visitsouthdevon.co.uk/things-to-do/ideas-and-inspiration/crabbing-hotspots"
    },
    "dorset": {
      "label": "Visit Dorset: Mudeford Quay",
      "url": "https://www.visit-dorset.com/listing/mudeford-quay/115303301/"
    },
    "ceredigion": {
      "label": "Discover Ceredigion: crabbing code (PDF)",
      "url": "https://www.discoverceredigion.wales/media/2033/crabbingleafletplusmarinelitter.pdf"
    },
    "scotland": {
      "label": "VisitScotland: family holidays, Cullen",
      "url": "https://www.visitscotland.com/things-to-do/family"
    },
    "rnli": {
      "label": "RNLI: angling safety",
      "url": "https://rnli.org/water-safety/choose-your-activity/angling"
    },
    "cooking": {
      "label": "Food Standards Agency: cooking your food",
      "url": "https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/cooking-your-food"
    },
    "fishRules": {
      "label": "MMO: fishing rules and guidance",
      "url": "https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/marine-management-organisation"
    },
    "cornwallRules": {
      "label": "Cornwall IFCA: local fisheries rules",
      "url": "https://www.cornwall-ifca.gov.uk/"
    }
  },
  "activitySourcesReviewedOn": "2026-09-10",
  "canonicalUrl": "https://www.downthecove.com/resources/uk-family-crabbing-index",
  "methodology": "Activity sources were reviewed on 10 September 2026. Edition 1.1 added facilities-source research on 11 September for 11 of 12 entries. Edition 1.2 replaces the Stoke Gabriel retail-operator citation with parish-church visitor directions; public-toilet opening and access to the millpool remain unverified. Dartmouth facilities remain unverified. Local evidence is not a site visit, access audit or live availability feed. Closure notices take precedence over standard facility lists.",
  "coverage": "12 selected places in England, Wales and Scotland; Northern Ireland not yet covered. Not exhaustive or safety-ranked.",
  "records": [
    {
      "id": "padstow",
      "name": "Padstow harbour",
      "country": "England",
      "area": "Cornwall",
      "activity": "Line crabbing",
      "setting": "Working harbour",
      "source": "cornwall",
      "evidence": "Named as a harbour crabbing location by Visit Cornwall.",
      "check": "Ask where lines may be used without obstructing harbour activity; check the tide and edge protection.",
      "facilities": "Padstow’s visitor centre lists Harbour Car Park and public toilets at North Quay and Railway. It identifies family rooms and accessible toilets at those two toilet sites; accessible toilets require a RADAR key. Check current opening hours.",
      "access": "Step-free access, barriers and suitability for your family are not verified. Check the exact spot, not just the town.",
      "localEvidence": {
        "facilities": "Padstow’s visitor centre lists Harbour Car Park and public toilets at North Quay and Railway. It identifies family rooms and accessible toilets at those two toilet sites; accessible toilets require a RADAR key. Check current opening hours.",
        "source": {
          "label": "Padstow Tourist Information Centre: parking and toilets",
          "url": "https://padstowlive.com/parking-toilets-facilities/"
        },
        "reviewedOn": "2026-09-11"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "port-isaac",
      "name": "Port Isaac harbour",
      "country": "England",
      "area": "Cornwall",
      "activity": "Line crabbing",
      "setting": "Working harbour",
      "source": "cornwall",
      "evidence": "Visit Cornwall includes the harbour in its crabbing guide.",
      "check": "Check local access, tide and working areas on the day; a source mention is not permission to use every edge.",
      "facilities": "Cornwall Council lists New Road long-stay car park, PL29 3SB. Consult its current payment and parking conditions. This source does not verify public toilets for the harbour visit.",
      "access": "The council describes the car park, not a step-free route down to the harbour. The complete route and crabbing edge remain unverified.",
      "localEvidence": {
        "facilities": "Cornwall Council lists New Road long-stay car park, PL29 3SB. Consult its current payment and parking conditions. This source does not verify public toilets for the harbour visit.",
        "access": "The council describes the car park, not a step-free route down to the harbour. The complete route and crabbing edge remain unverified.",
        "source": {
          "label": "Cornwall Council: New Road car park, Port Isaac",
          "url": "https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/transport-parking-and-streets/parking/cornwall-council-car-parks/new-road-port-isaac-pl29-3sb/"
        },
        "reviewedOn": "2026-09-11"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "looe",
      "name": "Looe quaysides and millpool",
      "country": "England",
      "area": "Cornwall",
      "activity": "Line crabbing",
      "setting": "Quayside / millpool",
      "source": "cornwall",
      "evidence": "The guide distinguishes East Looe's quaysides from the West Looe millpool.",
      "check": "Visit Cornwall warns about the drop at East Looe. Assess the specific edge and keep children closely supervised.",
      "facilities": "Looe Town Council lists Millpool and East Looe Seafront toilets, among others. Its FAQ identifies baby-changing facilities and RADAR-key accessible toilets; Millpool and Seafront use card payment for entry. Check seasonal hours and current charges.",
      "access": "Step-free access, barriers and suitability for your family are not verified. Check the exact spot, not just the town.",
      "localEvidence": {
        "facilities": "Looe Town Council lists Millpool and East Looe Seafront toilets, among others. Its FAQ identifies baby-changing facilities and RADAR-key accessible toilets; Millpool and Seafront use card payment for entry. Check seasonal hours and current charges.",
        "source": {
          "label": "Looe Town Council: toilet FAQs",
          "url": "https://www.looetowncouncil.gov.uk/the-community/toilet-faqs"
        },
        "reviewedOn": "2026-09-11"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "mullion",
      "name": "Mullion Cove harbour",
      "country": "England",
      "area": "Cornwall",
      "activity": "Line crabbing",
      "setting": "Harbour",
      "source": "cornwall",
      "evidence": "The harbour appears in Visit Cornwall's crabbing suggestions.",
      "check": "Check swell, weather, access notices and a protected standing position before choosing this exposed coastal area.",
      "facilities": "The National Trust lists a paid, non-Trust car park and council toilets. There is no parking at the harbour itself; toilet opening times are not established by this listing.",
      "access": "The National Trust explicitly describes a steep gradient between the car park and harbour. Do not present this as a verified step-free family route.",
      "localEvidence": {
        "facilities": "The National Trust lists a paid, non-Trust car park and council toilets. There is no parking at the harbour itself; toilet opening times are not established by this listing.",
        "access": "The National Trust explicitly describes a steep gradient between the car park and harbour. Do not present this as a verified step-free family route.",
        "source": {
          "label": "National Trust: Mullion Cove visitor information",
          "url": "https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cornwall/mullion-cove"
        },
        "reviewedOn": "2026-09-11"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "dartmouth",
      "name": "Dartmouth embankment",
      "country": "England",
      "area": "Devon",
      "activity": "Line crabbing",
      "setting": "Estuary embankment",
      "source": "devon",
      "evidence": "Visit South Devon identifies the embankment as a crabbing location.",
      "check": "Confirm permitted areas and boat movements with local visitor or harbour information.",
      "facilities": "Toilets, parking and opening times not independently verified; check the local visitor information before travelling.",
      "access": "Step-free access, barriers and suitability for your family are not verified. Check the exact spot, not just the town.",
      "localEvidence": null
    },
    {
      "id": "kingsbridge",
      "name": "Kingsbridge embankment",
      "country": "England",
      "area": "Devon",
      "activity": "Line crabbing",
      "setting": "Estuary embankment",
      "source": "devon",
      "evidence": "The tourism guide names the embankment near the Quay car park slipway.",
      "check": "Keep clear of slipway operations and check the water level, permitted access and edge conditions.",
      "facilities": "Quayside Leisure Centre’s own visitor page identifies the adjacent Quay Car Park. Check current council parking notices and signs; this source does not verify public toilets for a crabbing visit.",
      "access": "The leisure centre describes level access to its entrance, not the whole embankment or slipway. Access to the crabbing position remains unverified.",
      "localEvidence": {
        "facilities": "Quayside Leisure Centre’s own visitor page identifies the adjacent Quay Car Park. Check current council parking notices and signs; this source does not verify public toilets for a crabbing visit.",
        "access": "The leisure centre describes level access to its entrance, not the whole embankment or slipway. Access to the crabbing position remains unverified.",
        "source": {
          "label": "Quayside Leisure Centre: plan your visit",
          "url": "https://www.leisurecentre.com/quayside-leisure-centre/plan-your-visit"
        },
        "reviewedOn": "2026-09-11"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "stoke-gabriel",
      "name": "Stoke Gabriel millpool and quay",
      "country": "England",
      "area": "Devon",
      "activity": "Line crabbing",
      "setting": "Millpool / quay",
      "source": "devon",
      "evidence": "The millpool shore, quay and dam are named in the tourism guide.",
      "check": "Different edges have different risks. Confirm access and a suitable supervised position locally.",
      "facilities": "The parish church’s visitor directions identify limited village parking and possible quay parking with seasonal charges. This is not a guarantee of a space. Public-toilet opening and facilities at the millpool are not established by this source; check current arrangements before travelling.",
      "access": "A step-free route from parking to the chosen crabbing position has not been verified. The visitor directions do not establish access or protection along the millpool edge.",
      "localEvidence": {
        "facilities": "The parish church’s visitor directions identify limited village parking and possible quay parking with seasonal charges. This is not a guarantee of a space. Public-toilet opening and facilities at the millpool are not established by this source; check current arrangements before travelling.",
        "access": "A step-free route from parking to the chosen crabbing position has not been verified. The visitor directions do not establish access or protection along the millpool edge.",
        "source": {
          "label": "Stoke Gabriel Parish Church: visitor directions and parking",
          "url": "https://stokegabrielchurch.co.uk/how-to-find-us/"
        },
        "reviewedOn": "2026-09-11"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "dittisham",
      "name": "Dittisham pontoon",
      "country": "England",
      "area": "Devon",
      "activity": "Line crabbing",
      "setting": "Pontoon",
      "source": "devon",
      "evidence": "The tourism guide specifically mentions crabbing from the pontoon.",
      "check": "Check current pontoon permissions and movement, boat use and the route on and off it.",
      "facilities": "Dittisham Parish Council identifies a council-run car park, toilet block and playground at The Ham. These are Ham facilities, not a claim that facilities are on the crabbing pontoon.",
      "access": "A step-free route from The Ham to the chosen crabbing position has not been verified. Do not rely on a low-tide shore route for the return journey.",
      "localEvidence": {
        "facilities": "Dittisham Parish Council identifies a council-run car park, toilet block and playground at The Ham. These are Ham facilities, not a claim that facilities are on the crabbing pontoon.",
        "access": "A step-free route from The Ham to the chosen crabbing position has not been verified. Do not rely on a low-tide shore route for the return journey.",
        "source": {
          "label": "Dittisham Parish Council: The Ham",
          "url": "https://dittishamparish.co.uk/village-resources/the-ham/"
        },
        "reviewedOn": "2026-09-11"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "mudeford",
      "name": "Mudeford Quay",
      "country": "England",
      "area": "Dorset",
      "activity": "Line crabbing",
      "setting": "Harbour entrance quay",
      "source": "dorset",
      "evidence": "Visit Dorset describes family crabbing from the quayside.",
      "check": "Keep clear of the working quay and assess tide, current, edge protection and crowded areas.",
      "facilities": "BCP Council’s Mudeford Quay listing identifies public toilets behind the Haven House Inn / Haven Café, including accessible toilets and baby changing. Consult the seasonal opening hours. This is the Quay, not Mudeford Spit across the water.",
      "access": "The listing reports wheelchair access; this does not verify every crabbing position or its edge protection.",
      "localEvidence": {
        "facilities": "BCP Council’s Mudeford Quay listing identifies public toilets behind the Haven House Inn / Haven Café, including accessible toilets and baby changing. Consult the seasonal opening hours. This is the Quay, not Mudeford Spit across the water.",
        "source": {
          "label": "BCP Council: Mudeford Quay public toilets",
          "url": "https://www.bcpcouncil.gov.uk/communities/public-toilets/find-a-public-toilet/mudeford-quay-public-toilets"
        },
        "reviewedOn": "2026-09-11"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "aberaeron",
      "name": "Aberaeron harbour",
      "country": "Wales",
      "area": "Ceredigion",
      "activity": "Line crabbing",
      "setting": "Harbour wall",
      "source": "ceredigion",
      "evidence": "Named in the local crabbing code alongside New Quay.",
      "check": "Read local notices and the Cardigan Bay crabbing code; return animals promptly where they were found.",
      "facilities": "Ceredigion’s list identifies North Pier toilets, including an accessible facility, with an entry charge. Check the live council list before leaving.",
      "access": "Step-free access, barriers and suitability for your family are not verified. Check the exact spot, not just the town.",
      "localEvidence": {
        "facilities": "Ceredigion’s list identifies North Pier toilets, including an accessible facility, with an entry charge. Check the live council list before leaving.",
        "notice": "At the 11 September 2026 source review, the council listed Mason Row and North Beach toilets as closed. A standard facilities listing does not override the closure notice.",
        "source": {
          "label": "Ceredigion County Council: public toilets and closure notices",
          "url": "https://www.ceredigion.gov.uk/resident/public-toilets/"
        },
        "reviewedOn": "2026-09-11"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "new-quay",
      "name": "New Quay harbour",
      "country": "Wales",
      "area": "Ceredigion",
      "activity": "Line crabbing",
      "setting": "Harbour wall",
      "source": "ceredigion",
      "evidence": "The local code describes crabbing from the harbour walls.",
      "check": "Confirm permitted sections, tide and harbour operations. The conservation code is not a current access notice.",
      "facilities": "Ceredigion lists South John Street toilets, including an accessible facility, with an entry charge. This does not verify an accessible route from the harbour.",
      "access": "Step-free access, barriers and suitability for your family are not verified. Check the exact spot, not just the town.",
      "localEvidence": {
        "facilities": "Ceredigion lists South John Street toilets, including an accessible facility, with an entry charge. This does not verify an accessible route from the harbour.",
        "notice": "At the 11 September 2026 source review, the council listed Paragon Car Park and Sandy Slip On the Beach toilets as closed. Recheck the live notices; do not assume the seasonal listings mean they are open.",
        "source": {
          "label": "Ceredigion County Council: public toilets and closure notices",
          "url": "https://www.ceredigion.gov.uk/resident/public-toilets/"
        },
        "reviewedOn": "2026-09-11"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "cullen",
      "name": "Cullen's small harbour beach",
      "country": "Scotland",
      "area": "Moray",
      "activity": "Rockpool observation",
      "setting": "Harbour beach / rockpools",
      "source": "scotland",
      "evidence": "VisitScotland describes looking for hermit crabs and exploring rockpools at the small harbour beach.",
      "check": "This is a rockpool suggestion, not a verified line-crabbing mark. Check tides, the exit route and local signs.",
      "facilities": "Discover Cullen lists public toilets at the beach, harbour and square, with parking by the main beach viaduct and in Cullen Square. Its list does not establish toilet hours or accessible facilities.",
      "access": "Town facilities do not establish an accessible route across sand or rockpools. The selected activity remains rockpool observation, not line crabbing from the harbour wall.",
      "localEvidence": {
        "facilities": "Discover Cullen lists public toilets at the beach, harbour and square, with parking by the main beach viaduct and in Cullen Square. Its list does not establish toilet hours or accessible facilities.",
        "access": "Town facilities do not establish an accessible route across sand or rockpools. The selected activity remains rockpool observation, not line crabbing from the harbour wall.",
        "source": {
          "label": "Discover Cullen: local facilities",
          "url": "https://discovercullen.com/facilities/"
        },
        "reviewedOn": "2026-09-11"
      }
    }
  ]
}