The Sea Wall at Annestown

The pebble bank on the seashore at Annestown is retained by a low sea wall that curves from one end of the bay to the other. (You can see it on the right of the picture above). It stops incursions by the sea in rough weather, and also prevents the movement of the pebbles inland. The car park is mostly tucked behind the sea wall but where an opening allows access to the beach, recent winter storms and wave-borne beach stones have pounded and ripped-up the tarmac.

A footpath follows the landward side of the wall from east to west. The wall is high enough to fulfill its function and low enough to allow walkers to enjoy the view at all times. The construction of this sea defence is interesting, seemingly made up from individual blocks of small pebbles in a cement matrix, and the blocks then cemented together to form the wall. It looks as though the wall is using local materials in an attempt to blend better with the surroundings. However, the rough surface is colonised extensively by black, yellow, and white lichens whose distribution varies, presumably according to the degree of exposure to prevailing sun and wind and rain, making the wall stand out as a feature rather than merge with the landscape – although there is a certain resonance with the dark cliffs and headlands beyond.