On the seabed and coast
We play an active role on the UK seabed in offshore energy, marine aggregates and cables and pipelines. We also look after much of UK's foreshore.
What we do on the seabed
In managing the seabed around England, Wales and Northern Ireland we work in partnership with our customers and stakeholders to support the long-term sustainable development of the seabed.
From awarding seabed rights to sharing our knowledge and data, our small expert team directly manage our relationships with our customers and partners with a commitment to delivering high levels of customer service.
We also manage around half of the foreshore, the land between mean high and mean low water mark, around England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Our partnerships Registration for new offshore leasing/licensing processesEnergy
We play an active role in the UK’s world-leading offshore wind sector, from leasing sites to collaborating with our customers to help boost performance, reduce costs and de-risk investment.
We also work with developers and stakeholders to explore the potential to unlock other energy resources offshore, such as wave and tidal, and storage of natural gas and CO2.
More about energy Offshore Wind Project ListingMinerals and dredging
We provide licences for the extraction of marine sand and gravel resources, used in construction projects around the country, as well for beach replenishment and coastal protection. We also have interests in minerals such as salt and potash, mined beneath the seabed.
Find out more about minerals and dredgingCables and pipelines
We provide rights for thousands of kilometres of telecommunications and power cables on the seabed, as well as for oil and gas pipelines.
Find out more about Cables and PipelinesMarine data and evidence
With an increasingly busy seabed, data and evidence plays a key role in informing development decisions that maximise growth in secure, affordable green energy, whilst also protecting and restoring the UK’s precious marine ecosystems.
Find out how we grow, share and support marine data and evidence baseMarine planning
Our expert team are uniquely placed to look at the bigger picture across a breadth of sectors, carefully managing competing demands for space on our busy seabed, as well as helping to unlock opportunities for sustainable development.
More about Marine PlanningCoastal
The Crown Estate manages around half of the foreshore, the land between mean high and mean low water mark, around England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Find out more about coastal Metal detecting and drone flyingMarine internship programmes
Find out more about our internshipsFind out more
Offshore wind electricity map
Explore our interactive map showing the current output of operational wind farms around England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Offshore wind electricity map
Foreshore and estuary map
Use our interactive map to identify our foreshore and estuary ownership around England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
View mapNotices
Keep up to date with official announcements about planned or existing projects, or comments we make on topics of discussion within the industry.
Notices
Seabed Survey Licences
We provide permissions for temporary activities which physically interact with the seabed, including for geophysical, ecological and meteorological studies, as well as larger scale archaeological projects.
Read moreCoastal Survey Licenses
We provide permissions for activities that physically interact with the nearshore and seabed of tidal rivers, estuaries and harbours within our ownership.
Read more