Tags
architecture, beach huts, coast, lighthouse, pier, Punch and Judy, Sailor's Reading Room, seaside, Southwold, Suffolk
Maybe this wasn’t a good day for a frolic in the sea!
I have had a heavy head cold since last Wednesday and on Sunday Richard thought a trip to the sea was in order. We had mist first thing in the morning and on the way to church with my mother the sun was trying to break through. We thought it would be fine when we got out of church but sadly it wasn’t. The mist had risen slightly but cloud had descended and the rest of the day was very gloomy indeed. The temperature was about 7 degrees centigrade but when we got to the coast the strong on-shore breeze made us feel very cold and our ears started to ache.
During the winter months, owners of these beach huts get them lifted up from down by the beach to here, in the car-park, where there is less chance they will get battered by storms. Those that can’t afford to move their huts have to hope that we don’t have too many high tides and gale force winds. You may wonder why the owners would want to pay to have what looks like a shed moved to the car-park. You may be surprised to hear that last year one of these huts went on the market for £100,000 and it was thought that it might have sold for more than that. For this price you get a painted hut with no electricity or running water but in a ‘prime location’. You also get a 30 year lease from the council but you have to pay non-domestic annual rates and other charges. Last year the rates were £720.
The seagulls appreciate the calm waters here. Seaside resorts are a little sad in the winter-time I think. I like the sadness.
There is only one road in and out of Southwold which is almost an island, bordered by the North Sea to the east, the River Blyth and Southwold harbour to the south-west and Buss Creek to the north.
A few views of the sea. I expect you wish you had been with us!
The pier was built right at the end of the 19th century and was approximately 810 feet long with a T junction at the end to make a landing stage for ‘Belle’, the steamer bringing holiday makers to the town. The T junction was swept away in a great storm in 1934 and was only replaced in 2001. The pier was further damaged in 1955 and 1979 and had to be closed to the public in 1998. Restoration started in 1999 and it is now an award-winning pier with a pavillion, restaurant, bar and amusements. When we were in Southwold on Sunday we could hear a saxophonist playing from the pier. We didn’t venture onto it because of the wind-chill.
The whitewashed tower of the lighthouse can be seen from afar but is very difficult to find when you walk round the town with its narrow winding streets. It is 101 feet tall and commenced operation in 1890. It was originally illuminated by paraffin but was converted to electricity in 1938.
Southwold does in fact own six 18 pound cannons which were given to the town by the Royal Armouries as protection for the town and to shipping from pirate raids in the 18th century. We didn’t get as far as Gun Hill on Sunday.
There are many second homes and holiday cottages in the town which most of the year stand empty. Local people can’t afford to live in these tiny cottages.
A couple of grander houses.
I am often reminded of ‘Mary Poppins’ by P L Travers looking at the platform above the shelter and think that Admiral Boom would find it ideal for firing his cannon from. ‘The Ghost and Mrs Muir’ comes to mind when I look at one of those grander houses I showed above.
I joined Richard and Elinor in the shelter for a while and just in front of us on the grass slope that descended to the beach was this large patch of Heliotrope. It really shouldn’t be there and shows how invasive it is. Since seeing the Heliotrope last Sunday that I included in my post ‘Weekend’ I have seen this plant everywhere. It does have a wonderful scent though and in spite of my cold I could smell the vanilla perfume very well.
This was built in 1864 in memory of Captain Charles Rayley RN a naval officer who served at the time of the Battle of Trafalgar and who died in 1863. Its purpose was as a refuge for fishermen and mariners when not out at sea and it was hoped it would keep them out of the pubs and would encourage them in Christian ideals. The Reading Room still provides daily papers and a place to read them and continues to be a social base for local fishermen, lifeboatmen and coastguards. It is now a Registered Charity and contains a museum with exhibits showing the town’s seafaring past.
In 1659 there was a devastating fire in the town and most of the buildings were lost and many people were made homeless and destitute. In the rebuilding of the town, it was decided to incorporate a number of greens as fire breaks. This is East Green.
Some of you may remember a film made for TV in 1987 by Michael Palin called ‘East of Ipswich’ which was based on his own memories of seaside holidays in the 50’s. It was filmed in Southwold.
Best wishes to you all!
Jill Weatherholt said:
I love visiting the ocean in the winter months, but I do prefer a little sunshine. 🙂 Great photos, Clare. Thanks for sharing your trip. I love the lighthouse photo!
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clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you, Jill. I must say that a bit of sunshine would have made the day a little nicer!
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Aquileana said:
Great post dear Clare… The buildings at the end are beautiful… And I love the pics taken at Southwold beach… Particularly the one with the lighthouse…
Thanks for sharing!~ ⭐ Sending you all my best wishes!. Aquileana 😀
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clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you so much Aquileana! I am glad you liked the post. Best wishes to you too and I hope you have a good week, Clare 😀
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Aquileana said:
Merci my friend… Likewise! ⭐ Aquileana 😀
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Gallivanta said:
What a lovely introduction to Southwold. Never mind the grey skies. Hope the sea air cleared your head. 🙂
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clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you it did help though I got very cold! I see from the comment you made on Cynthia’s blog that your father is very ill. I am so sorry. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
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Gallivanta said:
Thank you Clare for your thoughts and prayers. His condition is serious but we are all amazed at his resilience. He has survived the critical first 24 hours but it remains to be seen how he copes during the next few days. He has good care.
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clarepooley33 said:
Such an anxious time for you and I am glad he has fought so hard and that he is well looked after.
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colorpencil2014 said:
Thank you for sharing…I always love outings to the sea in any weather. But living in Cincinnati nowadays..not much sea around;0) I am very happy here but I do miss the salty air so your post was a treat!
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clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you, Johanna. I am fortunate to live so close to the sea – though even those who live right in the centre of Britain aren’t much more than 150 or so miles from the sea!
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quietsolopursuits said:
I hope that you’re feeling better soon!
I loved this introduction to Southwold, and hope that you are able to revisit it in a future post. Not that I didn’t enjoy this one, but the sea has so many moods depending on the weather, and I like to experience them all.
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clarepooley33 said:
I understand exactly what you mean! I will definitely be posting about Southwold quite soon as we go fairly regularly. Thank-you very much for your nice comment, Jerry.
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tootlepedal said:
One of my favourite holiday resorts from my distant youth. It was still lovely when we visited a few years ago.
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clarepooley33 said:
I don’t think it has changed much in decades. One of our favourite places too.
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New Hampshire Garden Solutions said:
I do wish I had been with you. I haven’t been to our tiny slice of seashore in so long I can’t even remember when the last time was. It’s a two hour drive so that keeps me away.
Southwold looks like it would be fun to explore, especially the lighthouse and reading room. Fishing from that pier would be fun too!
I hope it helped your cold. I’m glad you could smell the heliotrope in spite of it.
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clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you. I think the sea air was helpful. It is a very interesting town and I will go back soon to take more photos for another post. I can remember the long journeys to the sea when I was a girl and lived just south-east of London. I think the trip could be done a little quicker now but in those days roads were narrower and cars much smaller. We are very lucky to live so close to the sea.
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Julie said:
I hope your cold is better Clare. The photo I put on my blog last week, was taken in the bus shelter you have shown today, we were sheltering in there from the wind too. We love Southwold and the gentle nature of the town, the walks across to Walberswick and along to Dunwich Heath. Lovely!
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clarepooley33 said:
I’ve just had another look – so it is! Thank-you, my cold is getting better slowly – it’s a rotter!
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lundygirl said:
Great photos – I enjoy mary poppins and see what you mean about the admiral and the house!
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clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you Rachel. How are you?
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Kate Happenence said:
I often prefer the beach in winter, when there’s fewer people around and there’s no threat of someone trying to persuade you to go in the sea.
Lovely post again.
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clarepooley33 said:
Thank-you Kate. Your reply made me laugh.
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Charlotte Hoather said:
We used to go to Lytham St Anne’s a lot in winter to visit my great Aunt these pictures reminded me of that and Blackpool. The Punch and Judy is a great photo I had them at a party once and we were all scared 😁
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clarepooley33 said:
Punch and Judy and clowns – really scary! Thank-you, Charlotte!
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