An ancient submerged forest is visible at low tide along Borth beach, where stumps of oak, pine, birch, willow and hazel (preserved by the acid anaerobic conditions in the peat) can be seen. Radiocarbon dating suggests these trees died about 1500 BC. This submerged forest is also associated with the legend of Cantre'r Gwaelod.

In 2010 work began on the construction of a multi-purpose reef which will act both as a sea defence and as a device which will increase surfability along the shore.
In January 2015, machinery could be seen uprooting some of these petrified stumps before dragging them to the top of the beach.