One form of planned retreat is used successfully in several locations in the United Kingdom (UK). Known as ‘managed realignment’, this strategy aims to create space for coastal ecosystems to persist in the face of rising sea levels, generally by removing structures such as sea walls, to allow the rising waters to intrude. The benefits of this approach are that it allows coastal zones to retain their natural ecosystems and associated ecosystem services while also providing certainty to local human settlements. This case study describes three examples from the UK, highlighting their rationale, key project features and benefits.