Author: Julian & Jarno

Day 39 – Rye to Worthing

Today we are driving from historic Rye in East Sussex along the coast to Worthing in West Sussex.   Storm Ophelia was approaching the UK today.  As the day progressed we started to see a very unusual dark and orange looking sky, caused by the storm pushing Sahara sand and Iberian wildfire smoke our way.

 

Photo of the day

Coastal Road Trip, Seaford, Beach, Sahara sand, Iberian wildfire smoke dust, Storm Ophelia
Seaford Beach, with Storm Ophelia on its way.

 

Rye

Coastal Road Trip, Rye, Cobbled Street
Our first stop of the day in Rye, the small ancient town was so quaint with its cobbled streets.
Coastal Road Trip, Rye, St Mary Church, Cobbled Street, Julian, Jarno
St Mary Church’s turret clock is the oldest working clock of its type in the country.
Coastal Road Trip, Rye, St Mary Church, Church yard, Park, Bench
Tudor houses fronting on to the churchyard.
Coastal Road Trip, Rye, Ypres Tower
The 13th century Ypres Tower town defences.  In 1377 the church and town had been looted, set on fire and destroyed by French invaders!
Coastal Road Trip, Rye, Cobbled Street
The steep cobbled Mermaid Street.  Although it was an early Monday morning there were already a few other tourists pottering around.  Glad we hadn’t been here on a busy summer weekend.
Coastal Road Trip, Rye, Rye Harbour
The town is now 2 miles inland as a result of the River Rother starting to silt up 500 years ago.  So we drove down to the coast to view Rye Harbour.

 

Winchelsea

Coastal Road Trip, Winchelsea Beach, Waves
Winchelsea Beach.  The town, a bit further inland, dates back to the 13th century.  It was Britain’s first properly planned ‘new’ town.

 

Hastings

Coastal Road Trip, Hastings, Rock-a-Nore Beach, East Hill
The view from The Stade at Hastings back to Rock-a-Nore Beach and East Hill.
Coastal Road Trip, Hastings, The Stade, Beach, The Old Town, Fishing Boats, Julian, Jarno
The Stade Beach in front of Hastings Old Town.
Coastal Road Trip, Hastings, Net Shops, The Stade, The Old Town
The tall black wooden Net Shops on the beach front at Hastings.  They were used to dry fishing nets.
Coastal Road Trip, Hastings, The Stade, Net Shops, Hastings Miniature Railway, Turntable, The Old Town
The recently restored Hastings Miniature Railway.
Coastal Road Trip, Hastings, The Old Town
Looking up All Saints Street in The Old Town.
Coastal Road Trip, Hastings, The Old Town, All Saints Street
We had just walked past The Crown Pub, which had just been voted the best place to have a pint in the UK.  Unfortunately we only read that after leaving Hastings….

 

Bulverhythe

Coastal Road Trip, Bulverhythe Beach, Beach Huts
More colourful beach huts on Bulverhythe Beach, just a few miles west of Hastings.

 

Bexhill-on-Sea

Coastal Road Trip, Bexhill-on-Sea, Promenade, Channel View, Tea beside the sea
The elegant Bexhill-on-Sea Promenade.
Coastal Road Trip, Bexhill-on-Sea, De La Warr Pavilion, Promenade
The De La Warr Pavilion on the sea front at Bexhill, now a local centre for contemporary art.  Bob Marley had his first ever UK performance there too.

 

Cooden Beach

Coastal Road Trip, Cooden Beach, White Beach Huts
Driving past some rather large houses we reached Cooden Beach.

 

Eastbourne

Coastal Road Trip, Eastbourne, Eastbourne Beach, Beach Huts
Yet more colour-coordinated beach huts along Eastbourne Beach.
Coastal Road Trip, Eastbourne, Eastbourne Pier, Beach
The view along Eastbourne Beach to the pier.  By now we were starting to see the weird coloured pre-Storm Ophelia sky.
Coastal Road Trip, Eastbourne, Eastbourne Pier, Beach, Truck, CAT, caterpillar
Caterpillar trucks were shifting around shingle on the beach, to restore the sea defences in preparation for winter storms.

 

Beachy Head

Coastal Road Trip, Beachy Head, Beachy Head Lighthouse, Cliffs
Really dramatic views over the chalk cliffs at Beachy Head to the Lighthouse.
Coastal Road Trip, Beachy Head, Beachy Head Lighthouse, Cliffs, Julian, Jarno
Don’t look down….. you could walk right up to the cliff edge!
Coastal Road Trip, Beachy Head, Belle Tout Lighthouse, Cliff
Belle Tout Lighthouse, now a private residence.  In 1999 it had to be moved 17 meters back from the cliff edge to save it falling off due to coastal erosion.  It was featured in the BBC’s ‘The Life and Loves of a She-Devil’ and James Bond’s ‘The Living Daylights’.
Coastal Road Trip, Beachy Head, Belle Tout Lighthouse, Old Foundations, Birling Gap, Seven Sisters
Parts of the original building and foundations, right on the cliff edge.  In the distance you can see the cliffs of the Seven Sisters past Birling Gap.

 

Birling Gap

Coastal Road Trip, Birling Gap, Seven Sisters, National Trust,
The bright white Seven Sisters chalk cliffs viewed from the National Trust managed Birling Gap.

 

Seaford

Coastal Road Trip, Seaford, Beach, Sahara sand, Iberian wildfire smoke dust, Storm Ophelia
It felt like the end of the world.  The lighting was totally surreal.  Such a dark sky in the distance over Newhaven, contrasting against the bright blue-green sea, and the warm colours of the pebble beach.  Storm Ophelia was on its way.
Coastal Road Trip, Seaford, Beach, Beach Huts, Sahara sand, Iberian wildfire smoke dust, Storm Ophelia
Another palette of candy coloured beach huts on Seaford Beach.

 

Newhaven

Coastal Road Trip, Newhaven, Port, Lighthouse, Breakwater, Sahara sand, Iberian wildfire smoke dust, Storm Ophelia
The lighthouse at the end of the breakwater at Newhaven, we had also seen it in the distance from Seaford.
Coastal Road Trip, Newhaven, Fort, Sahara sand, Iberian wildfire smoke dust, Storm Ophelia
The path down to Newhaven Fort, with Seaford Bay in the background.  The fort was the largest defence built on the Sussex coastline.

 

Brighton

Coastal Road Trip, Brighton, Pier, Beach, Sahara sand, Iberian wildfire smoke dust, Storm Ophelia
As we know Brighton well, having had our UK base and home there for the last few years, we just stopped briefly to take photos of the famous Brighton Pier (AKA Brighton Palace Pier).
Coastal Road Trip, Brighton, Pier, Beach, Sahara sand, Iberian wildfire smoke dust, Storm Ophelia
The Brighton Pier is now the only surviving pier at Brighton, the Royal Suspension Chain Pier was its predecessor, but you can still see remains of the West Pier opposite the British Airways i360 tower.

 

Hove

Coastal Road Trip, Hove, Beach Huts, Promenade, Beach, Sahara sand, Iberian wildfire smoke dust, Storm Ophelia
The long promenade at Hove, Brighton’s coastal neighbour.

 

Southwick

Coastal Road Trip, Southwick, River Adur, Fishing Boat, Sahara sand, Iberian wildfire smoke dust, Storm Ophelia
Actually we didn’t stop at Southwick, but we got stuck in a traffic jam along the River Adur, so managed this picture of a fishing boat from the car window.

 

Lancing

Coastal Road Trip, Lancing, Beach Hut, Sahara sand, Iberian wildfire smoke dust, Storm Ophelia
Lancing beach was really busy with kite-surfers, unfortunately the photos were pretty terrible (I blame the weird pre-storm lighting), but we caught them on video, check below.
Coastal Road Trip, Lancing, Beach, Worthing Pier, Sahara sand, Iberian wildfire smoke dust, Storm Ophelia
Looking west towards Worthing Pier in the distance.

 

Worthing

Coastal Road Trip, Worthing, Worthing Pier, Beach, Sahara sand, Iberian wildfire smoke dust, Storm Ophelia
Worthing, our final stop on this four day part of our Coastal Road Trip.   The original pier dates back to 1862 though through fire and storm damage it has been rebuilt and updated many times over the years.

 

Daily video

 

 

 

 

Day 38 – Sittingbourne to Rye

On day thirty-eight we will be covering most of the Kent coastline, so a long day of travel, and the weather is absolutely fantastic for mid-October!

 

Photo of the day

Coastal Road Trip, Dungeness, Lighthouse, Romney Marsh, Fifth Lighthouse, Sunset
Dungeness Lighthouse

 

Isle of Sheppey

Coastal Road Trip, Isle of Sheppey, Sheppey Crossing, A249, Bridge, The Swale
As we have a lot of ground to cover today, we made an early Sunday morning start driving over The Swale to the Isle of Sheppey.

 

Leysdown-on-Sea

Coastal Road Trip, Leysdown-on-Sea, Beach, Leysdown Coastal Park, Isle of Sheppey, Kent, Thames Estuary
After a quick stop at Sheerness on the northwest corner of the Isle of Sheppey, we headed over to Leysdown-on-Sea’s beach on the east of the isle, with views across the empty Thames Estuary.
Coastal Road Trip, Leysdown-on-Sea, Beach Huts, Leysdown Coastal Park, Isle of Sheppey, Kent
Smart beach huts lined up on the front at Leysdown Coastal Park.

 

Whitstable

Coastal Road Trip, Whitstable Harbour, Market, Ice-cream Van, Huts,
My Whippy on early morning duty at Whitstable’s Harbour.
Coastal Road Trip, Whitstable, Tankerton Slopes, Beach Huts
More colourful beach huts along Whitstable’s Tankerton Slopes.  If you look carefully you can see the remains of Herne Bay Pier Head out at sea.

 

Herne Bay

Coastal Road Trip, Herne Bay, Mopeds, Clock Tower, Central Parade, Kent
An MOD scooter meet-up in front of Herne Bay’s Clock Tower on the Central Parade.  A great day for a bike ride.
Coastal Road Trip, Herne Bay, Pier, Boats
The Pier at Herne Bay….
Coastal Road Trip, Herne Bay, Pier, Pier Head, Boats
…. and out at sea the remains of the pier head, which got separated from the rest of Herne Bay Pier in a storm back in 1978.
Coastal Road Trip, Herne Bay, Jet Ski
A jet-skier making the most of the October heatwave.
Coastal Road Trip, Herne Bay, Saxon Shore, Beach, View East to Reculver Towers
Then looking east, views along Herne Bay Beach and Saxon Shore towards Reculver Towers in the distance.

 

Reculver

Coastal Road Trip, Reculver Towers, Roman Fort, Anglo-Saxon monastery, Church, English Heritage
The medieval Reculver Towers, the remains of the church of St Mary, looking stunning against the blue sky.
Coastal Road Trip, Reculver Towers, Roman Fort, Anglo-Saxon monastery, Church, English Heritage, Julian, Jarno
Reculver has suffered major coastal erosion over the years, and now the Reculver Towers are perched right on the edge of the sea cliff.

 

Margate

Coastal Road Trip, Margate, The Bay, Harbour, Panorama,
A panorama of Margate Bay.
Coastal Road Trip, Margate, The Bay, Harbour, Lighthouse, Harbour Arm
The lighthouse at the end of Margate Harbour Arm breakwater.
Coastal Road Trip, Margate, Turner Contemporary, Beach, ANOTHER TIME, Antony Gormley, Sculpture
On Fulsam Rock by the Margate foreshore, the Turner Contemporary was exhibiting the lone figure ‘Another Time’ by Antony Gormley.  A nice reminder of day 7 of our Coastal Road Trip, where we had seen the complete version of Anthony Gormley’s ‘Another Place’ sculptures submerged in Crosby Beach.

 

North Foreland Lighthouse

Coastal Road Trip, North Foreland Lighthouse, Joss Bay, Kent, Isle of Thanet
On the way to Broadstairs, the North Foreland Lighthouse sitting above fields leading down to Joss Bay.

 

Broadstairs

Coastal Road Trip, Broadstairs, Beach, Viking Bay, Harbour
Broadstair’s Viking Bay with its steep cliffs down to the beach.

 

Ramsgate

Coastal Road Trip, Ramsgate, Pirate Van, Victoria Parade
Whilst stopping on the Victoria Parade above Ramsgate’s Beach, we realised we had parked in-front of this funny pirate themed camper-van….
Coastal Road Trip, Ramsgate, Pirate Van, Victoria Parade, Sign
… please do not disturb! 😉
Coastal Road Trip, Ramsgate, East, West, Pier, Lighthouse, View from Victoria Parade, Beach
Views down to the east and west piers at the mouth of Ramsgate’s harbour and marina.
Coastal Road Trip, Ramsgate, Yacht Marina, Harbour, Boats
Ramsgate’s Yacht Marina looking almost Mediterranean with the bright blue sky and waters.

 

Deal

Coastal Road Trip, Deal, Deal Castle, English Heritage
The 16th century Deal Castle.  If you Google aerial photos of it, you will see it actually looks somewhat like a flower from above.
Coastal Road Trip, Deal, Beach, Boats, Fishing
Wooden fishing boats resting on Deal Beach.
Coastal Road Trip, Deal, Pier, Beach
The Pier at Deal is better seen from a distance.  It was pretty brutal looking close-up!

 

Dover

Coastal Road Trip, Dover, White Cliffs of Dover, National Trust
Finally we have made it to the famous White Cliffs of Dover.  It had been on our to-do list for quite some time.  It seemed like everyone else had the same idea to visit on this sunny Sunday afternoon as it was pretty busy.  Fortunately the land is managed by the National Trust so we parked for free, which made up for the pricey coffee and cake!
Coastal Road Trip, Dover, White Cliffs of Dover, National Trust, Jarno
Thumbs-up from Jarno….
Coastal Road Trip, Dover, White Cliffs of Dover, National Trust, Julian Shadow
… and a wave from Julian’s shadow.
Coastal Road Trip, Dover, Ferry, Port, Terminal
Looking down through the sea mist to Dover’s bustling ferry port.
Coastal Road Trip, Dover, Dover Castle, English Heritage
Dover Castle silhouetted against the bright but hazy evening skyline.
Coastal Road Trip, Dover, Banksy, Brexit, EU Flag, Street Art, Castle Amusements Building
Banksy’s Brexit street art just off a roundabout, as we drove through Dover.  Not the best welcome for our European neighbours as they arrive off the Dover ferry onto mainland Britain.

 

Capel-le-Ferne

Coastal Road Trip, Capel-le-Ferne, Battle of Britain Memorial, lone pilot, Harry Gray, Folkestone
The lone pilot sculpture by Harry Gray at the Battle of Britain Memorial at Capel-le-Ferne, just outside Folkestone.
Coastal Road Trip, Capel-le-Ferne, Battle of Britain Memorial, Hawker Hurricane Mk 1 Replica US-X, Sunset, Folkestone
The sun starting to set over the Hawker Hurricane Mk 1 Replica US-X planes at the Battle of Britain Memorial.

 

Folkestone

Coastal Road Trip, Folkestone, The Grand, Hotel
We were struggling what to take a photo of as we drove through Folkestone, until we past a row of handsome hotels above the cliffs on the Leas Promenade.  Agatha Christie, wrote Murder on the Orient Express whilst staying here at The Grand.

 

Sandgate

Coastal Road Trip, Sandgate, Beach, Sunset, Sandgate Esplanade
The long seafront and esplanade at Sandgate, just west of Folketone.

 

Dungeness

Coastal Road Trip, Dungeness, Nuclear Power Station, Romney Marsh, EDF Energy
Our final stop of the day at the surreal Dungeness.  The area was a weird mix of beach, barren marshland, artist community, pub, gift shop, train station, lighthouses and a nuclear power station.  What a mix!
Coastal Road Trip, Dungeness, The Old Lighthouse, Nuclear Power Station, Romney Marsh, EDF Energy
The Old Lighthouse and its neighbor, the nuclear power station….
Coastal Road Trip, Dungeness, Lighthouse, Romney Marsh, Fifth Lighthouse, Sunset
…and closer to the headland the current lighthouse.  Not your traditional lighthouse, but pretty sleek, and looked great lit-up in the clear evening sky.

 

Daily video

 

 

Day 37 – Southend-on-Sea to Sittingbourne

We are travelling 104 miles today as we drive first along the north side of the River Thames and estuary, then back along the south side.  One of our busiest days for traffic too as we skirt around the edge of London.  However, there was a mid-October heatwave, so at least we are lucky with the weather!

 

Photo of the day

Coastal Road Trip, Gravesend, St George's Church, Pocahontas, Statue, Princess,
Pocahontas statue (yes, you read that right!) in a graveyard in Gravesend.

 

Shoeburyness

Coastal Road Trip, Shoeburyness, Gunners park, Shoebury East Beach
We started off with a short detour east from Southend-on-Sea to Shoeburyness at the mouth of the River Thames Estuary.  Views northeast from Gunners Park towards Shoebury East Beach.
Coastal Road Trip, Shoeburyness, Gunners park, Shoebury Ness, Graffiti,
Interesting welcome signs at the entrance to the Thames.  It is a shame that the war defences were covered in graffiti, but at least it brought some colour to the concrete.
Coastal Road Trip, Shoeburyness, Warrior Square, Horseshoe Cresent, Clock, Gates, Garrison
Shoeburyness was a pleasant surprise, with smart military avenues and squares, mixed with newer developments.   We also tried to continue further north past the St Nicolas Church at Great Wakering, but found ourselves heading into a Ministry of Defence area, so did a quick u-turn.

 

Southend-on-Sea

Coastal Road Trip, Southend-on-Sea, Beach, Ness Road Slipway, South-on The Sea
Heading back into Southend-on-Sea, we made a short stop at the beach by the Ness Road Slipway with views towards Southend-on-Sea.
Coastal Road Trip, Southend-on-Sea, Pier
The longest pleasure pier in the world at Southend-on-Sea, stretching into the hazy sunshine.
Coastal Road Trip, Southend-on-Sea, Pier, Train
It is so long (1.34 miles) that you can take a train to the end!
Coastal Road Trip, Southend-on-Sea, Adventure Island, Roller-coaster, Rage, Gerstlauer Euro-Fighter
The entrance to Southend Pier flanked by roller-coasters at Adventure Island.

 

Leigh-on-Sea

Coastal Road Trip, Leigh-on-Sea, Leigh Marshes, Boats, Thames Estuary
Abandoned boats in the marshes on the edge of the Thames Estuary at Leigh-on-Sea.

 

Canvey Island

Coastal Road Trip, Canvey Island, Canvey Point, Smallgains Marina
Driving through Canvey Island (basically a large housing estate) we arrived at Canvey Point and the nearby Smallgains Marina.

 

East Tilbury

Coastal Road Trip, East Tilbury, Coalhouse Fort
More Thames defences at Coalhouse Fort.  The original fortifications date back to the 15th century.  More recently it has been used for a variety of purposes, including being featured at the start of the ‘Batman Begins’ film.  It is now a pleasant park overlooking the Thames, where today families were enjoying the sunny afternoon.

 

Tilbury

Coastal Road Trip, Tilbury, The Worlds End, Pub, Tilbury Fort
The Worlds End Pub on the way to Tilbury Fort.  Aren’t British pub names great?!  This pub was haunted too!
Coastal Road Trip, Tilbury, Tilbury Fort, Gun
Guns at Tilbury Fort.  The first fort was built here by Henry VIII in the 16th century, and continued in use until after World War II.
Coastal Road Trip, Tilbury, Tilbury Fort, Cruise Ship, Thames, CMV, Wind Turbines
Looking west up the Thames from Tilbury Fort to the cruise terminal and a wind farm project.
Coastal Road Trip, Tilbury, Tilbury Fort, Boats, Yachts, Thames, Gravesend
The Thames was busy with yachts, making the most of the lovely weather.

 

Dartford Crossing

Coastal Road Trip, Dartford Crossing, Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, Cable-stayed Bridge
Heading south over the Queen Elizabeth II Darford Crossing Bridge.

 

Gravesend

Coastal Road Trip, Gravesend, St George's Church, Pocahontas, Statue, Princess,
Probably the biggest surprise of the day, finding a statue of Pocahontas in the graveyard of  St George’s Church in Gravesend.  Pocahontas had died on a ship on the River Thames close to Gravesend, and her remains are thought to be buried somewhere close to St George’s Church.

 

Hoo Peninsula

Coastal Road Trip, RSPB Northward Hill, Thames Estuary, Autumn, Colours, Fall Colors, DP World London Gateway Port, Stanford-le-Hope
Heading across the Hoo Peninsula, we decided to stop at the quiet RSPB Northward Hill nature reserve.  Along the track there were lovely views over apple orchards turning autumn red, quite a contrast to the shipping port at Stanford-le-Hope across the Thames.

 

Upnor

Coastal Road Trip, Upnor, Upper Upnor, High Street
A quaint cobbled lane leading down through Upper Upnor to the River Medway.
Coastal Road Trip, Upnor, Upper Upnor, Upnor Castle, River Medway
Upnor Castle had just closed for the day, so we took in the views across the marshes on the edge of the River Medway.

 

Rochester

Coastal Road Trip, Rochester, Rochester Castle, Julian, Jarno
Another selfie moment at Rochester Castle, its orgins dating back to the 12th century.
Coastal Road Trip, Rochester, Rochester Castle
The castle towering an impressive 113 feet high.
Coastal Road Trip, Rochester, Roofs
Red roofs of Rochester.  Rochester was a well preserved historical town, and we learnt it had actually been inspiration for many of Charles Dickens’ novels.
Coastal Road Trip, Rochester, Rochester Cathedral
The Norman Rochester Cathedral.  Apparently Jools Holland is a big fan of the acoustics.  We then made our way along the Medway to Chatham Historic Dockyard for dinner, before heading to Sittingbourne for the night.

 

Daily video

Day 36 – Ipswich to Southend-on-Sea

After a few weeks break from our coastal road trip, we are now continuing our journey, this time over four days from Ipswich in Suffolk to Worthing in West Sussex.   Hence the sunny weather in the Ipswich picture (September), then a bit gloomy as we continued into Essex (October).

 

Photo of the day

Coastal Road Trip, Clacton-on-Sea, Clacton Pier, Helter Skelter, Helter-skelter, empty, closed
A helter-skelter on Clacton-on-Sea’s pier.

 

Ipswich

Coastal Road Trip, Ipswich Waterfront, Marina, Roadmap, Julian, Jarno
Our last photo as we finished the first 5 weeks of our Coastal Road Trip at Ipswich Waterfront.  Feeling quite pleased with ourselves!

 

Mistley

Coastal Road Trip, Mistley Towers, Church of St. Mary the Virgin, English Heritage, Essex
Working our way down the south side of the River Stour we made the first stop of the day at Mistley Towers in Essex, the remains of the Church of Saint Mary the Virgin.

 

Harwich

Coastal Road Trip, Harwich, Ha'penny Pier
The wooden Ha’penny Pier at Harwich, named after the original toll charge for the Victorian pier.  The Port of Felixtowe in the gloomy background.
Coastal Road Trip, Harwich, Lightvessel LV18, Ha'penny Pier
The Lightvessel LV18 moored off the Ha’penny Pier, the last surviving example of a manned Trinty House light vessel, now a museum.
Coastal Road Trip, Harwich, Harwich High Lighthouse, Old Harwich
Harwich High Lighthouse that was used in combination with the Low Lighthouse as a leading light for Harwich Harbour.
Coastal Road Trip, Harwich, Harwich Maritime Museum, Low Light House Harwich
And the Low Lighthouse on the promenade, now the local Maritime Museum.
Coastal Road Trip, Dovercourt Lighthouses, Low Light House, High Lighthouse
Then just a few minutes further along the coast we reached the two matching iron towered Dovercourt Low and High Lighthouses.

 

Walton on the Naze

Coastal Road Trip, Walton on the Naze, The Naze, Naze Tower
The navigational Naze Tower north of Walton on the Naze.  With a beacon at the top, it was used as an early form of lighthouse to guide ships through the Goldmer Gap.
Coastal Road Trip, Walton on the Naze, Beach, Pier
Walton on the Naze Beach… and the sun trying to make an appearance.  Yay!
Coastal Road Trip, Walton on the Naze, Beach, Pier, Beach Huts
Walton on the Naze Pier.  To be honest we had seen better looking piers, though the brightly painted beach huts attempted to brighten-up the area.

 

Frinton On Sea

Coastal Road Trip, Frinton On Sea, Esplanade, Frinton Beach, Clock, The Clock Tower Shelter
A rather elaborate looking clock tower shelter on the Frinton Beach Esplanade.

 

Holland-on-Sea

Coastal Road Trip, Holland-on-Sea, Holland Haven, Beach Huts
More beach huts adding some colour to Holland Haven near Holland-on-Sea.

 

Clacton-on-Sea

Coastal Road Trip, Clacton-on-Sea, Clacton Pier, Entrance, Jarno
Stopping for some lunch at Clacton Pier.
Coastal Road Trip, Clacton-on-Sea, Clacton Pier, Helter Skelter, Helter-skelter, empty, closed
The helter-skelter looking a bit spooky on the deserted pier.
Coastal Road Trip, Clacton-on-Sea, Clacton Pier, Helter Skelter, Helter-skelter, Julian, Jarno
Just proving we were there 😉
Coastal Road Trip, Clacton-on-Sea, Clacton Pier, Steps
Some rather scary looking steps down to the sea from the pier.
Coastal Road Trip, Clacton-on-Sea, Clacton Pier, Noticeboard, quiet, empty
Clearly we were out of season with the empty entertainment noticeboards.

 

Brightlingsea

Coastal Road Trip, Brightlingsea, Beach Huts
If it’s not lighthouses it’s beach huts today!

 

West Mersea

Coastal Road Trip, West Mersea, Marine, RNLI, Lifeboat, Launch, Upside down boat
A rather unloved looking boat at West Mersea….
Coastal Road Trip, West Mersea, Marine, House boat, Pandora, Coast Road
… and the houseboats looking like they are in the middle of a field.

 

Tollesbury

Coastal Road Trip, Tollesbury, Trinity Lightship
Another Trinity Lightship, also with the illusion of being moored in a field.

 

Heybridge

Coastal Road Trip, Heybridge, Heybridge Basin, Lock
The picturesque lock at Heybridge Basin, joining the Blackwater estuary and the canal to Chelmsford.

 

Maldon

Coastal Road Trip, Maldon, Hythe Quay, Boats
Old Thames barges moored at Maldon’s Hythe Quay.
Coastal Road Trip, Maldon, Hythe Quay, Boats
The barges had been beautifully restored, several are still in use as charters.

 

Bradwell-on-Sea

Coastal Road Trip, Bradwell-on-Sea, St Peter's Chapel, Signpost, Coming Soon, Saltmarsh Coast
As walked down a long farm track to the remote St Peter’s Chapel we came across this funny sign.  Something was ‘coming soon’, not sure what…
Coastal Road Trip, Bradwell-on-Sea, St Peter's Chapel, Saltmarsh Coast, Julian, Jarno
St Peter’s Chapel on the headland near Sales Point, one of the oldest Chistian churches in England, dating from the 7th century.  Around a thousand years later, in the 17th century it was in use as a barn.   You can still see where the barn doors were placed on the side.
Coastal Road Trip, Bradwell-on-Sea, St Peter's Chapel, Interior, Nave, Altar, Saltmarsh Coast,
We were surprised that the church door was open, so we had a quick look inside.  Pretty good condition for 1,400 years old!

 

Burnham-on-Crouch

Coastal Road Trip, Burnham-on-Crouch, Burnham Yacht Harbour, Boat, Night
The Yacht Harbour at Burnham-on-Crouch, our final stop of the day before heading to Southend-on-Sea for the night.

 

Daily video

Day 35 – Lowestoft to Ipswich

So we’ve managed to complete thirty-five days of continuous travel, as we drove from Cardiff to Ipswich. Yay!  That’s the first and main leg of our coastal road trip completed, and what a great day to spend this milestone, as we travel the beautiful Suffolk coastline….

 

Photo of the day

Coastal Road Trip, Felixtowe Ferry, Sunset, Dusk, Boats, Reflection
Calm reflective waters as the sunset at Felixtowe Ferry.

 

Lowestoft

Coastal Road Trip, Lowestoft, Lowestoft Lighthouse
Bam!  Our first stop of the day and it’s a lighthouse.  The bright white Lowestoft Lighthouse looking great against the fresh blue morning sky.
Coastal Road Trip, Lowestoft, Ness Point, Euroscope, John Wylson, Most Easterly Point of Britain
On this trip we have traveled to the most westerly point of Britain at Ardnamurchan (day 17), the most northerly point at Dunnet Head (day 24), and now we have reached the most easterly point at Ness Point!  Not the most exciting view, to be honest…
Coastal Road Trip, Lowestoft, Ness Point, Euroscope, John Wylson, Most Easterly Point of Britain, Julian
Julian sitting on the Euroscope at Ness Point, designed by John Wylson.
Coastal Road Trip, Lowestoft, South Beach, Houses, Green
A handsome row of houses along Lowestoft’s South Beach Promenade.
Coastal Road Trip, Lowestoft, South Beach, Lifeguard
The Lowestoft South Beach lifeguard keeping an eye on a lone swimmer (that just swam out of the photo).

 

Benachre

Coastal Road Trip, Benachre, Waveney, Suffolk, Sunflower, Fields
Driving past glorious meadows as we meandered along the small country lanes near Benachre.
Coastal Road Trip, Benachre, Waveney, Suffolk, Fields
Such rich colours in the mid morning sunshine.

 

Southwold

Coastal Road Trip, Southwold, Lighthouse, Waveney, Suffolk
The grade II listed Southwold Lighthouse towering over Southwold’s seafront houses.
Coastal Road Trip, Southwold, Pier, Beach, Huts, Waveney, Suffolk
Southwold Pier, extending 190m in to the North Sea.

 

Walberswick

Coastal Road Trip, Southwold, Walberswick, River Blyth, Harbour, Ferry, Rowing Boat, Waveney, Suffolk
The small ferry being rowed from Southwold across the fast moving River Blyth to Walberswick.  He was doing a busy trade this sunny Saturday lunchtime.

 

Blythburgh

Coastal Road Trip, Blythburgh, Holy Trinity Church, Suffolk, Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, Nave, Interior
A short detour inland to view the Holy Trinity Church in the small village of Blythburgh.  Also know as The Cathedral of the Marshes, it was surprisingly light inside.

 

Dunwich

Coastal Road Trip, Dunwich Beach, Sizewell, Saxmundham
Children playing in the waves at Dunwich Beach, silhouetted against the sea.  Sizewell nuclear power station lurking in the distance.

 

Leiston Abbey

Coastal Road Trip, Leiston Abbey House, Theberton, Leiston, Suffolk, English Heritage
The remains of the Augustinian Leiston Abbey, originally home to the strict Premonstratensian order, who favoured remote locations.
Coastal Road Trip, Leiston Abbey House, Theberton, Leiston, Suffolk, English Heritage
A farmhouse had been built into the remains of the nave after the suppression.

 

Thorpeness

Coastal Road Trip, Thorpeness, Sign, Leiston, Suffolk
The Thorpeness village sign with its iconic House in the Clouds and windmill.
Coastal Road Trip, Thorpeness, Meare, House in the Clouds, Leiston, Suffolk
The large meare that had been dug out by hand in the early 20th century, with the bright red House in the Clouds living up to its name.
Coastal Road Trip, Thorpeness, House in the Clouds, Julian, Jarno, Leiston, Suffolk
The House in the Clouds, originally built as a water tower, and now a pretty cool holiday house.
Coastal Road Trip, Thorpeness, Windmill, Leiston, Suffolk
In the 1920s and 30s Thorpeness Windmill had been used to pump water into the tank at the top of the House in the Clouds.

 

Aldeburgh

Coastal Road Trip, Aldeburgh, Beach, RSPB North Warren, Scallop, Sculpture, Benjamin Britten, Maggi Hambling
The Scallop sculpture at RSPB North Warren, designed by Maggi Hambling as a tribute to Benjamin Britten, the Aldeburgh born composer.
Coastal Road Trip, Aldeburgh, Beach, Boats
Boats on the beach behind the upmarket Aldeburgh high street.

 

Snape Maltings

Coastal Road Trip, Snape Maltings, Sculpture, Metal, Mirrors, Snape, Suffolk
One of the many sculptures at our next stop at Snape Maltings.  A fascinating place, with an amazing music venue, shops, artist workshops, sculptures and nature walks.  Quite a curious mix, but done so well, we were really impressed.
Coastal Road Trip, Snape Maltings, Barbara Hepworth, Family of Man (1970), Sculpture, Rainbow, Snape, Suffolk
A rainbow forming over Barbara Hepworth’s Family of Man sculpture.
Coastal Road Trip, Snape Maltings, Dovecote Studio, Snape, Suffolk
Anther dovecote, we haven’t seen one of these since leaving Scotland.  But this one had a modern take, and had been converted into a studio.

 

Orford

Coastal Road Trip, Orford, Orford Castle, English Heritage, Woodbridge, Suffolk
Orford Castle, Henry II’s splendid keep.
Coastal Road Trip, Orford, Orfordness Lighthouse, Quay, River Alde, Nature Reserve, Suffolk, Boats
Just down the road from Orford Castle, views from the quay across the River Alde to the Nature Reserve and Orfordness Lighthouse.

 

Felixtowe

Coastal Road Trip, Felixtowe, John Bradfield Viewing Area, Container Ship, Port, Docks
The view of Felixtowe’s busy container port from the John Bradfield Viewing Area.
Coastal Road Trip, Felixtowe, John Bradfield Viewing Area, Sunset, Fishing
Fishing in the UK’s largest container port.
Coastal Road Trip, Felixtowe, John Bradfield Viewing Area, Sunset
A beautiful golden sunset across the water to Harwich.

 

Felixtowe Ferry

Coastal Road Trip, Felixtowe Ferry, Beach Huts, Sunset, Dusk
Beach huts along the coast to Felixtowe Ferry.
Coastal Road Trip, Felixtowe Ferry, Sunset, Dusk, Boats, Reflection
A final stop on our way to Ipswich for the night.   We looped a short way back north east to Felixtowe Ferry, and had stunning views over the calm River Deben, reflecting the yachts in the dusk light.
Coastal Road Trip, Felixtowe Ferry, Sunset, Dusk, Boats, Reflection
Red sky at night, shepherd’s delight…. let’s see in the morning.

 

Daily video

 

 

Day 34 – King’s Lynn to Lowestoft

On day thirty-four, after a walk around King’s Lynn, we got back on the road and headed for The Queen’s home at Sandringham (our third royal location on our trip).  We then continued along the Norfolk coastline to Lowestoft, with plenty of windmills and lighthouses along our journey.  We packed a lot into today.

 

Photo of the day

Coastal Road Trip, Sheringham, The Mo Museum, Mural, RNLI, Coast Guard
Amazing street art at Sheringham.

 

Sandringham

Coastal Road Trip, Sandringham, Queen, Julian, Jarno
Popping in for tea with the Queen at her Sandringham Estate.  We were the first to finish the house tour that morning… speedy!  Mind you, we halved the average visitor age 😉
Coastal Road Trip, Sandringham, Racing Horse, Estimate, Sculpture
Some of The Queens’s favorite things, starting with racing horses.  Estimate, who won the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot.
Coastal Road Trip, Sandringham, Queen's Dog, Black Labrador, Sandringham Brae, A Gentleman Amongst Dogs,
A whole series of stones set in the garden walls, remembering The Queen’s dogs, with lovely little messages.
Coastal Road Trip, Sandringham, Rolls Royce, Queen's Car, The Spirit of Ecstasy, Flying Lady
The stunning ‘Spirit of Ecstasy’ adorning one of the Rolls Royce bonnets.
Coastal Road Trip, Sandringham, St Mary Magdalene’s Church, Lychgate, Gate, Jarno
Jarno giving a royal wave in the Lychgate of St Mary Magdalene’s Church, where The Royal Family normally attend the Christmas Day service.
Coastal Road Trip, Sandringham, St Mary Magdalene’s Church, Ceiling
The beautiful ceiling of the 16th century church.
Coastal Road Trip, Sandringham, Main Gates, Diana Tribute, Flowers
It was the 20th anniversary of the death of Diana.
Coastal Road Trip, Sandringham, Main Gates, Diana Tribute, Flowers
Many tributes had been left at the Sandringham gates.
Coastal Road Trip, Sandringham, Woodland, Country Park
Driving through the tranquil Sandringham Country Park.

 

Heacham

Coastal Road Trip, Norfolk Lavender, Flowers
We made a quick stop at Norfolk Lavender set among 100 acres of lavender fields (yes, we know this isn’t lavender).  However, we’d just missed the lavender blooming season (June to August), so made do with a quick walk around their cottage garden.

 

Hunstanton

Coastal Road Trip, Hunstanton, Beach
Hunstanton Beach, the only holiday town beach in Norfolk that faces west, so great for viewing the sunset (if we’d been later in the day).
Coastal Road Trip, Hunstanton, Lighthouse
The Old Hunstanton Lighthouse built in 1840.  Its predecessor had the world’s first parabolic reflector in 1776.

 

Burnham Overy Staithe

Coastal Road Trip, Burnham Overy Staithe, The Tower Windmill, National Trust
Windmills became a common sight as we drove along the Norfolk coastline.  The Tower Windmill at Burnham Overy Staithe, a pretty cool National Trust holiday let.

 

Holkham

Coastal Road Trip, Holkham Hall, North Gate
We decided not to visit Holkham Hall, as we’d already spent quite some time in the morning at the Sandringham Estate.  So we made do with just viewing Holkham Hall’s North Gate instead.

 

Wells-next-the-Sea

Coastal Road Trip, Wells-next-the-Sea, The Quay. East Fleet
The very busy (with tourists) and picturesque Wells-next-the-Sea, with its impressive granary malting building and huge canter-levered gantry.

 

Blakeney

Coastal Road Trip, Blakeney, Blakeney National Nature Reserve, National Trust, Boats
More picturesque villages as we drove along the coast to Blakeney, where we stopped for a coffee at the National Trust run Blakeney National Nature Reserve.  The largest seal colony in England, and a very important breeding ground for grey seal pups in the winter months.

 

Cley next the Sea

Coastal Road Trip, Cley next the Sea, Cley Windmill, Julian, Jarno
We almost gate-crashed a wedding party staying in Cley Windmill.

 

Sheringham

Coastal Road Trip, Sheringham, Sheringham Beach
As we stopped to take photos in Sheringham several locals asked if they could help us.  Very friendly, or we just looked lost.
Coastal Road Trip, Sheringham, The Mo Museum, Mural, RNLI, Coast Guard
Amazing street art murals on the walls outside the local Mo Museum.
Coastal Road Trip, Sheringham, The Mo Museum, Mural, Fishermen
Fishermen posing for street art.
Coastal Road Trip, Sheringham, Street Art, Tony Nelson, Town Criar
In memory of the local town crier.

 

Cromer

Coastal Road Trip, Cromer, Pier
The Victorian Cromer Pier, famous for its end of the pier variety show, the last remaining one in the UK.

 

Trimingham

Coastal Road Trip, Trimingham, Remote Radar Head Trimingham
The radar station at  Trimingham (AKA Trimingham Golf Ball).  This location was established in the early 1940s to detect low flying German aircraft and E-boats.

 

Mundesley

Coastal Road Trip, Mundesley, Beach Huts
More colorful beach huts along Mundesley Beach.
Coastal Road Trip, Mundesley, Stow Mill, Windmill
Stow Mill, the local corn windmill, just outside of Mundesley village, now another holiday let.

 

Happisburgh Lighthouse

Coastal Road Trip, Happisburgh, Happisburgh Lighthouse
After driving through yet another lovely Norfolk village, we arrived at the very handsome Happisburgh Lighthouse across the fields.  It’s the only independent lighthouse (run by local volunteers) in Great Britain, and the oldest working one in East Anglia.

 

Horsey

Coastal Road Trip, Horsey, Horsey Windpump, National Trust
Eerie lighting as the dark rain clouds passed over us at the National Trust’s Horsey Windpump.

 

Winterton-on-Sea

Coastal Road Trip, Winterton-on-Sea, Winterton Lighthouse
As we drove past Winterton-on-Sea, we noticed this lighthouse protruding above the coastal houses.  As we got close we realised it was also now a private home (holiday rental), so just took a quick photo from a neighbour’s drive and continued on our way.

 

Caister-on-sea

Coastal Road Trip, Caister-on-Sea, Beach, Pink Tractor
Whilst hunting down a fish & chip shop for our dinner, we came across brightly painted fishermen’s tractors behind the beach at Caister-on-Sea.

 

Great Yarmouth

Coastal Road Trip, Great Yarmouth, Pirates, Rainbow
Great Yarmouth pirates on the lookout for a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
Coastal Road Trip, Great Yarmouth, Caesars Palace
No, we are not in Las Vegas.  It’s the other Caesars Palace, the one in Great Yarmouth.
Coastal Road Trip, Peel Ports, Wind Turbine, Wing, Blade
Finally, as the night closed in, we drove south along Great Yarmouth’s promenade reaching Peel Ports.  Giant wind turbine blades were sitting ready to be shipped to an off-shore wind farm.  Next stop, down the road at Lowestoft for the night.

 

Daily video

 

 

 

Day 33 – Hull to King’s Lynn

Despite a bright start to the morning, the weather was pretty miserable for the rest of the day,  so maybe we didn’t see the coast from Hull to King’s Lynn in its best light.  However, as usual we made the most of the day, rain or shine!

 

Photo of the day

Coastal Road Trip, Cleethorpes, Rollercoaster, Green Dragon
A dragon in its natural habitat on the beach at Cleethorpes.

 

New Holland

Coastal Road Trip, New Holland, Station, Railway, Jarno
After leaving Hull, we found New Holland on the map just south of the River Humber.  Perfect for a quick Dutch photo opportunity at the local (very quiet) station in the middle of the docks.

 

Thornton Abbey

Coastal Road Trip, Thornton Abbey
After a short ten minutes drive through the North Lincolnshire countryside we arrived at the remains of the Augustinian Thornton Abbey.  The fortified gatehouse, considered to be one of the finest in England.

 

Killingholme

Coastal Road Trip, Killingholme, Station Road, Lighthouses
Heading down a bumpy lane alongside the River Humber, trying to find the Killingholme Lighthouses, something told us we probably weren’t meant to be down here…
Coastal Road Trip, Killingholme, Killingholme North Low Lighthouse
Killingholme North Low Lighthouse, looking a little unloved.
Coastal Road Trip, Killingholme, Killingholme South Low Lighthouse
Its sister, the Killingholme South Low Lighthouse, wedged between a waterworks, coal docks and the Humber.
Coastal Road Trip, Killingholme, Killingholme High Lighthouse
And finally its big brother, Killingholme High Lighthouse in the middle of the waterworks.  As we really weren’t sure if we should be here, we took some quick photos, then got back on the road to Grimsby.

 

Grimsby

Coastal Road Trip, Grimsby, View from Cleethorpes
The view back to Grimsby from the north end of the promenade at Cleethorpes.  Not the most inviting view.  Grimsby once had the largest fishing fleet in the world, but lost that crown in the Iceland cod wars.  However, it still has the UK’s largest fish market.

 

Cleethorpes

Coastal Road Trip, Cleethorpes, Rollercoaster, Green Dragon
The view from our car as we sat eating our lunchtime sandwiches.
Coastal Road Trip, Cleethorpes Pier
Cleethorpes Pier, now the largest fish & chip shop in the country!

 

Saltfeetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes

Coastal Road Trip, Saltfeetby-Theddlethorpe Dunes, MOD Sign
We only stopped briefly at the dunes and mudflats, as the sign put us off a little….

 

Mablethorpe

Coastal Road Trip, Mablethorpe, Beach, Lifeguard
A very quiet day for the lifeguard at Mablethorpe, as we arrived he was already packing up for the day.
Coastal Road Trip, Mablethorpe, House of Terror, Haunted House, Beach, Amusements
Things that go bump in the night at Mablethorpe…
Coastal Road Trip, Mablethorpe Rock
Checking out the local delicacy…

 

Chapel St Leonards

Coastal Road Trip, Chapel St Leonards, Chapel Point
Stripey beach huts at Chapel Point Beach, quite a contrast to the Second World War defences that they had replaced.

 

Skegness

Coastal Road Trip, Skegness, Fantasy Island
We entered Skegness from the north via Fantasy Island…. which was a kind of a surreal place.  Roller-coasters towering above static caravans as far as the eye could see.  We’re big roller-coaster fans, but not today…
Coastal Road Trip, Skegness, Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve
Driving through Skegness we reached Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve to the south, and its sleek new information centre overlooking the dunes and marshes.  The area couldn’t have felt more different than the more commercial parts of Skegness.  Variety… that’s the great British seaside for you! 😉
Coastal Road Trip, Skegness, Gibraltar Point National Nature Reserve, Boats
Boats moored along the very muddy (and slippery) Steeping River.

 

Wainfleet All Saints

Coastal Road Trip, Wainfleet All Saints, Barkham Street
Stopping briefly at the early Victorian Barkham Street in Wainfleet All Saints.  A street you would expect to see in London, and probably not in a small Lincolnshire town.

 

Boston

Coastal Road Trip, Boston, St Botolph's Church
As we drove to King’s Lynn for the evening we decide to make our final stop of the day at Boston.   As we approached through the flat fens we were drawn towards the huge 83m high St Botolph’s Church tower (AKA Boston Stump) sticking out on the horizon.  Considered to be the largest parish church in England (actually we assumed it was a cathedral).
Coastal Road Trip, Boston, Old town streets, Goodbarns Yard, Pub
A lovely cozy market town feel to the cobbled lanes around the church.

 

Daily video

Day 32 – Scarborough to Hull

Another day of varied coastlines as we drove south from Scarborough to Hull on day thirty-two.  As always, some nice little surprises along the way.

 

Photo of the day

Coastal Road Trip, Scarborough, Beach Huts, Brightly Coloured
Freshly painted beach huts along the promenade at Scarborough’s north bay.  A nice bright start to the day 🙂

 

Scarborough

Coastal Road Trip, Scarborough, Sea Front, The Grand Hotel
The Grand Hotel sitting proud above Scarborough’s south bay promenade and beach.
Coastal Road Trip, Scarborough, Sea Front, Lighthouse, Pier, Lunar Park
The lighthouse along the pier with the Lunar Park funfair in the background.

 

Hunmanby Gap

Coastal Road Trip, Hunmanby Gap, Beach, Dog
Wide open sands at Hunmanby Gap.
Coastal Road Trip, Hunmanby Gap, Berries
Juicy berries on the bushes surrounding the fields above Hunmanby Gap.

 

Bempton Cliffs

Coastal Road Trip, Bempton Cliffs, RSPB, Gannetts, Birds
Great views of Bempton Cliffs at the nature reserve managed by the RSPB.
Coastal Road Trip, Bempton Cliffs, RSPB, Gannetts, Birds
Hundreds of Gannetts clinging to the cliffs.
Coastal Road Trip, Bempton Cliffs, RSPB, Gannetts, Sign, Jarno
Learning about Gannetts.
Coastal Road Trip, Bempton Cliffs, RSPB, Gannetts, Birds
Magnificent cliff views.

 

Flamborough Head

Coastal Road Trip, Flamborough Head, Lighthouse
The current lighthouse, built in 1806.
Coastal Road Trip, Flamborough Head, Cliffs. Coast
The view over Selwicks Bay at Flamborough Head.
Coastal Road Trip, Flamborough Head, Old Lighthouse
The Old Lighthouse at Flamborough Head, constructed from chalk in 1673, considered to be the oldest building of its type in England.

 

Bridlington

Coastal Road Trip, Bridlington, View from Sewerby, Wind Turbines
The view down to Bridlington from Sewerby, and again the now familiar sight of wind turbines along the coast.
Coastal Road Trip, Bridlington, Harbour, Lighthouse in grass
OK OK, not a real lighthouse, but they made an attempt on the grass banks of Bridlington Harbour.

 

Hornsea

Coastal Road Trip, Hornsea, Telescope, Beach, Promenade
Hornsea Beach, not a huge amount to see on this grey afternoon.  So we just had a quick coffee pick-me-up… and got on our way.

 

Tunstall

Coastal Road Trip, Tunstall, All Saints Parish Church
Trying to navigate our way to the coast at Tunstall, we got as far as the All Saints Parish Church.

 

Withernsea

Coastal Road Trip, Withernsea, Castle, Promenade
Withernsea Castle (if you can call it that), previously the entrance to the pier before it got washed away.
Coastal Road Trip, Withernsea, Lighthouse, Museum
Withernsea Lighthouse curiously sitting inland in the middle of a row of houses.

 

Spurn Point

Coastal Road Trip, Spurn Point, Kilnsea
The Holderness coastline is the fastest eroding in Europe, at 2.1m each year!   The beach at Kilnsea was littered with bits of road and buildings that had collapsed into the sea.
Coastal Road Trip, Spurn Point, High Tide, Warning Sign, Julian, Jarno
Another high tide warning, so we decided not to proceed along the road to the tip of Spurn Point….
Coastal Road Trip, Spurn Point, Spurn National Nature Reserve, Lighthouse
… instead we viewed the Lighthouse from a safe distance.

 

Hull

Coastal Road Trip, Hull, Phone Box, Cream, Jarno, Queens Dock Avenue
A quick walk around Hull before dinner, and Jarno got very excited about spotting a cream coloured phone box.
Coastal Road Trip, Hull, Hull City Hall, Queen Victoria Square
The grand Hull City Hall in Queen Victoria Square.   From the little we saw of Hull we were surprisingly impressed.  We’ll have to come back when we have more time.

 

Daily video

Day 31 – Newcastle to Scarborough

It’s day 31 and we are driving down from Newcastle along the Durham Heritage Coast and into the North Yorkshire Moors.  Plenty of lighthouses, and a surprising mixture of coastlines from industrial to picturesque.

 

Photo of the day

Coastal Road Trip, Marske-by-the-sea, Cliff House, View to Saltburn, Hunt Cliff
Views towards Saltburn and Hunt Cliff from Marske-by-the-Sea.

 

South Shields

Coastal Road Trip, Littlehaven Beach and Promenade, South Shields, Lighthouse, Tynemouth Priory and Castle
After a small potter around the shops in a very rainy Newcastle city centre, we managed to get lost driving out to South Shields, and ended up driving over the Tyne Bridge three times!  Eventually we arrived at Littlehaven Beach and Promenade, with its views past the bright red lighthouse to Tynemouth Priory and Castle on the north side of the Tyne.
Coastal Road Trip, Littlehaven Beach and Promenade, South Shields, Conversation Piece, Juan Munoz, Sculptures
An intriguing cluster of sculptures by Juan Munoz, called ‘Conversation Piece’ at Littlehaven Beach and Promenade.

 

Souter Lighthouse

Coastal Road Trip, Marsden Bay, Souter Lighthouse, Sunderland
Souter Lighthouse precariously close to the cliffs at Marsden Bay.
Coastal Road Trip, Souter Lighthouse, Sunderland
Another National Trust property, so we made use of our membership.
Coastal Road Trip, Souter Lighthouse, Sunderland, View from top to Marsden Bay & South Shields
Despite the weather we had great views from the top of the lighthouse back towards Marsden Bay & South Shields.
Coastal Road Trip, Souter Lighthouse, Sunderland, Lens, National Trust
The helpful National Trust guide explained about the lighthouse and lens to us, and gave it a little spin.
Coastal Road Trip, Souter Lighthouse, Sunderland, Inside Lens, National Trust
Inside the lens, a very weird feeling as it spun around.
Coastal Road Trip, Souter Lighthouse, Sunderland, May Thy Lot In Life Be Happy, National Trust
Totally agree with this message on the lighthouse keeper’s mantle piece.

 

Seaburn

Coastal Road Trip, Seaburn, The White Lighthouse, Roker Lighthouse, Roker Pier, Sunderland
More lighthouses at Seaburn, Roker Lighthouse on the left and The White Lighthouse on the right.
Coastal Road Trip, Seaburn, The White Lighthouse, Roker Beach, Sunderland
The White Lighthouse at Roker beach looking very smart with its large weather vain on top.
Coastal Road Trip, Seaburn, Roker Lighthouse, Roker Pier, Digger, Sunderland
A bit of a renovation going on at Roker Lighthouse at the end of Roker Pier.

 

Sunderland

Coastal Road Trip, Sunderland, Wearmouth Bridge, A1018, Roof of car
Trying to get a photo crossing the Wearmouth Bridge at Sunderland.

 

Seaham

Coastal Road Trip, Seaham Beach, Seaham Lighthouse
Wow, the sun is finally peeping through the clouds today.  Seaham Beach and Seaham Lighthouse at the end of the north breakwater.
Coastal Road Trip, Seaham, Tommy World War One Soldier Sculpture, Eleven 'O' One, Giant soldier
The rusty steel Tommy sculpture on the Terrace Green at Seaham.  The World War One Soldier was pretty huge at almost three meters tall.  Officially named Eleven ‘O’ One, after the minute of armistice peace at 11am on the 11th November 1918.
Coastal Road Trip, Seaham, Nose's Point, National Trust Durham Coast, Ps in a Pod
And more rusty sculptures at Nose’s Point along the National Trust Durham Coast.  ‘Ps in a Pod’ in cast iron by Louise Plant, expressing human energy and movement.

 

Blackhall Rocks

Coastal Road Trip, Blackhall Rocks, View South East to Hartlepool
Despite a bit of dull road through the Blackhall area, we found these great views by making a short detour down to the coast at Blackhall Rocks.   The view south east to Hartlepool.
Coastal Road Trip, Blackhall Rocks, View North along Durham Heritage Coast
And the views back north along Durham Heritage Coast.

 

Hartlepool

Coastal Road Trip, Hartlepool, Headland, The Heugh Light, Light House
Lots of birds keeping their beady eyes on us at the Heugh Light at Hartlepool Headland.
Coastal Road Trip, Hartlepool, Headland, Heugh Gun Battery, Cannon
The Heugh Gun Battery, the only open air WWI museum in the UK.
Coastal Road Trip, Hartlepool, Headland, Heugh Gun Battery, Well behaved dogs & Cyclists welcome here, Sign
A nice welcome message on the gun battery gates 🙂
Coastal Road Trip, National Museum Royal Navy Hartlepool, H M S Trincomalee, Dutch Houses
The masts of the H M S Trincomalee towering over some rather Dutch looking houses at the National Museum of the Royal Navy.

 

Redcar

Coastal Road Trip, Redcar, Coke Ovens, River Tees, Mouth, Seaton Carew
Driving over the River Tees at Middlesbrough we arrived at Redcar surrounded by steel plants and coke ovens (sadly now closed).
Coastal Road Trip, Redcar, Sculpture
Despite the sorry state of the local industry there had been some effort to brighten up Redcar’s seafront with sculptures…
Coastal Road Trip, Redcar, Penguins
…penguins!?…
Coastal Road Trip, Redcar Beacon
…and the pink Redcar Beacon, contrasting against the stormy sky.

 

Marske-by-the-Sea

Coastal Road Trip, Marske-by-the-sea, Cliff House, View to Saltburn, Hunt Cliff
As the stormy clouds passed over Marske-by-the-Sea it created really dramatic lighting over the view to Saltburn and Hunt Cliff.
Coastal Road Trip, Marske-by-the-sea, View to Redcar and Off Shore Wind Turbines
The view back to Redcar and the offshore wind turbines.

 

Saltburn-by-the-Sea

Coastal Road Trip, Saltburn-by-the-Sea, Cliff Tramway, Pier
The old Cliff Tramway down to the pier at Saltburn-by-the-Sea.  The oldest operating cliff funicular of its type in the world.

 

Whitby

Coastal Road Trip, Whitby, Beach Huts, Coloured
Brightly painted beach huts curving around the beach at Whitby, our first stop along the North Yorkshire Moors coast.
Coastal Road Trip, Whitby, Harbour, East, West, Lighthouse
The East and West Harbour Lighthouses marking the entrance to Whitby.
Coastal Road Trip, Whitby, Abbey, Harbour, Bandstand, River Esk
Whitby Abbey across the River Esk.
Coastal Road Trip, Whitby, Harbour, Bridge, River Esk
Whitby was larger than we had expected, but still kept a small town charm about it, with its quaint houses nestled around the harbour.  Interestingly Whitby inspired Bram Stoker when writing ‘Dracula’ after staying there in 1890… though we didn’t see any vampires on our visit.

 

Robin Hood’s Bay

Coastal Road Trip, Robin Hood's Bay
Before heading to Scarborough for the evening, we made a final stop of the day at the small fishing village of Robin Hood’s Bay, famous for smugglers!

 

Daily video

 

Day 30 – Berwick-upon-Tweed to Newcastle

We are starting today by heading a few miles north back in to Scotland (they can’t keep us away).  We will then spend most of the day continuing our drive back in England, along the Northumberland coast before ending the day in Newcastle.

 

Photo of the day

Coastal Road Trip, Tour of Britain Cycle Race, Bamburgh, Leaders
The Tour of Britain Cycle Race arriving in Bamburgh.

 

St Abbs

Coastal Road Trip, St Abbs, Harbour, Blue Hut, Cliff House
Starting our day just north of the Scottish border at the quiet fishing village of St Abbs.
Coastal Road Trip, St Abbs, Harbour
Rocky views past St Abbs Harbour.

 

English & Scottish border

Coastal Road Trip, Coastal Road Trip, Scotland Border, England Border, Union Jack, Flags
Crossing the border back into England.

 

Berwick-upon-Tweed

Coastal Road Trip, Berwick upon Tweed, Bridge, Royal Border Bridge, Railway
The Royal Border Bridge spanning the River Tweed.  The railway viaduct was opened by Queen Victoria in 1850.
Coastal Road Trip, Berwick upon Tweed, Parking Disc, Northumberland
I remember these parking discs as a kid, and didn’t realise they were still in use.
Coastal Road Trip, Berwick upon Tweed, Berwick Lighthouse
The simple but neat lighthouse at the end of the Berwick-upon-Tweed breakwater.

 

Lindisfarne

Coastal Road Trip, Lindisfarne, The Holy Island, Causeway, Danger Sign, Julian, Jarno
Crossing over the causeway to Lindisfarne (AKA The Holy Island).
Coastal Road Trip, Lindisfarne, The Holy Island, Causeway, Warning, Tide Tables
We better be quick, in fifteen minutes the tide is coming in, and we won’t be able to get back to the mainland until the evening.
Coastal Road Trip, Lindisfarne, The Holy Island, Causeway, Road, Hut, Sea
In case you get stranded as the tide returns, there’s a handy refuge hut to escape the rising tides.  Your car might get a bit wet though.

 

Tour of Britain Cycle Race (coming into Bamburgh)

Coastal Road Trip, Tour of Britain Cycle Race, Bamburgh, Sign, Delays Expected
As we drove along the country lanes towards Bamburgh we suddenly found ourselves on the Tour of Britain Cyle Race route.  A complete surprise.  Perfect timing.
Coastal Road Trip, Tour of Britain Cycle Race, Bamburgh, Police, Race marshals
So we parked up on the verge, a few minutes later the police and race marshals arrived…
Coastal Road Trip, Tour of Britain Cycle Race, Bamburgh, Flying TV, Helicopter, Eye in the sky, Camera, TV Station
…quickly followed by the ‘Eye in the Sky”…
Coastal Road Trip, Tour of Britain Cycle Race, Bamburgh, Leaders
… then the race leaders came charging through….
Coastal Road Trip, Tour of Britain Cycle Race, Bamburgh, Main group
…followed by the main group.  Ten minutes later we were back on the road again after this nice little interlude.

 

Bamburgh Castle

Coastal Road Trip, Bamburgh Castle
Stunning views over the freshly plowed fields to the huge Bamburgh Castle.
Coastal Road Trip, Bamburgh Castle
And even more impressive close up.

 

The Farne Islands

Coastal Road Trip, The Farne Islands, Inner Farne Lighthouse, National Trust
Just passed Bamburgh Castle, the view over to The Farne Islands and Inner Farne Lighthouse.  The islands are famous for their seals and wide variety of seabirds.

 

Beadnell Beach

Coastal Road Trip, Beadnell Beach, Kite Surfing
Kite Surfing on Beadnell Beach.

 

Embleton & Newton Links

Coastal Road Trip, Embleton & Newton Links, National Trust, Beach, Sand Writing, Dunstanburgh Castle, Jarno
Jarno doing some more beach graffiti at the National Trust managed Embleton & Newton Links.  In the distance you can also spot Dunstanburgh Castle.
Coastal Road Trip, Embleton & Newton Links, National Trust, Beach, Sand Writing
Washed away…

 

Craster

Coastal Road Trip, Craster Harbour, Flower, Purple
A little bit of colour as rain clouds rolled in over Craster Harbour.
Coastal Road Trip, Craster, Dunstanburgh Castle, Sheep, Field
Dunstanburgh Castle that we had seen earlier from Embleton & Newton Links.  Now viewed from the south, walking across the fields from Craster.  A bit hazy due to the rain…

 

Alnwick Castle

Coastal Road Trip, Alnwick Castle, English Heritage, Jarno
The seat of the Duke of Northumberland, at our final castle of the day, Alnwick Castle, just outside the picturesque market town of Alnwick.

 

Amble Beach

Coastal Road Trip, Amble Beach, Coquet Island Lighthouse
The tiny Coquet Island and its lighthouse viewed from Amble Beach.

 

Low Hauxley

Coastal Road Trip, Low Hauxley, Beach, Black Rocks
Low Hauxley Beach.  Just a bit further along the beach a two-hundred meter long ancient forest has been uncovered by the sea cutting through the sand dunes.

 

Blyth

Coastal Road Trip, Blyth, Art, Wind Turbine, Industry
An interestingly arty and industrial coastline as the light faded passing through Blyth.

 

St Mary’s Lighthouse

Coastal Road Trip, St Mary's Lighthouse
St Mary’s Lighthouse across another causeway, at Whitley Bay.

 

Tynemouth

Coastal Road Trip, Tynemouth, Riley's Fish Shack, Night time
Ending the day with delicious fish tacos on the beach at Riley’s Fish Shack.  We then headed inland to Newcastle for the night.

 

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