The East Resorts
The Suffolk Coast, famed for it beaches, the genteel resorts of Southwold and Aldeburgh, fishing, leisure and the more traditional seaside attractions of Felixstowe and Lowestoft.
But behind the beauty are issues of poor infrastructure, relative local poverty, increasing second home purchases, failing industry, unemployment and erosion.
Partly based on my love of the local coastal landscape and inspired by the seaside images of Martin Parr, this is my story of the Suffolk Coast, taken in the first summer of no Covid restrictions and one of the driest, hottest and sunniest on record.
Cobbold's Point, Felixstowe.
The point where Old Felixstowe meets the newer, Victorian Spa resort.
Storm Clouds approaching Landguard Point, Felixstowe.
The piers of the old Harwich Foot Ferry contrasted against the backdrop of Europe's largest container port.
The End of the Line.
A spit appearing from the ebbing tide, Shingle Street.
Ice Cream Sunday.
Just past the pier, one of the many hot, sunny days of the summer.
Keeping Up.
More tickets to be collected, to be exchanged for prizes!.
All Beef N No Bull.
Traditional seaside fare on the front at Felixstowe.
At the Bar & Grill.
Teenage boys enjoying the sun and delights of a day out at Felixstowe.
Family Magic at the Vintage Arcade.
Family picnic time on the seafront at Felixstowe.
Striding Out Along the Boardwalk.
Places to be on a hot, summer's day at Felixstowe.
2p's and Hot Pies.
Life in the amusement arcades on the Felixstowe seafront.
Facing The Meare.
A model holiday village, designed by Glencairn Ogilvie, inspired by J.M. Barrie, the original houses at Thorpeness all face inland, rather than out to sea.
Still Swimming.
One of the traditional Fisherman's Huts on Aldeburgh beach, selling the daily catch.
Sizing Up The Beach.
In the shadow of a Nuclear Power Station, the traditional fishing boats and their winding houses still populate the beach, Sizewell.
The Thin Blue Line.
Aerial view of the narrow spit of land dividing the River Alde from the North Sea, Aldeburgh.
Going For Gold.
The queue for the famous Aldeburgh Fish & Chips, a tourist guide staple.
Seafront Games.
The rarely seen Pétanque courts, the bastion of the glitterati of Aldeburgh.
The Lookout Angels.
A gathering of local socialites at the South Lookout Tower, Aldeburgh.
Moot Point.
The iconic Moot Hall, an architectural reminder of the ancient town, Aldeburgh.
Contemplation.
A portrait on the promenade, Aldeburgh.
The Last Line of Defence.
The Martello Tower, Slaughden Quay, Aldeburgh, several of these populate the East Anglian coast, once used as defences from marauders coming across the sea.
Family Game Time.
A family enjoying the summer sun at Southwold.
The Losing Battle.
The last remaining houses of Easton Bavents, just north of Southwold. Once the site of a 2 mile headland which has been, and continues to be, eroded away.
Soaking Up The Rays.
Enjoying the late summer sun at Southwold.
Harbourdashery.
At the south end of the town on the Blyth Estuary, lies the harbour, now more of a tourist area, a few fishing boats still trade.
Patriotic Blues.
Taken soon after the death of Queen Elizabeth II, beach huts at Southwold are prime real estate and popular places for those that can to relax.
Sunset at the Pier.
The iconic Southwold Pier, a main tourist attraction, bathed in the glow of sunset.
Parking Reserved.
The only street of council housing in Southwold, and in the height of summer, street parking is at a premium.
Anchors Away.
Local demographic data shows that 57% of inhabitable residences in Southwold are now either second or holiday homes, halving the population of the town in off-peak periods.
The Fallen.
Trees that once stood on the cliff, now have succumbed to the incoming tides, Covehithe.
In Amongst The Trees.
Although Southwold is actively being protected from the effects of erosion, it marches on apace here, where once was a pine forest at Covehithe.
The New Industry.
Once the centre of the herring trade, then a brief period of porcelain fame, industry has largely taken over from the fishing fleet at Lowestoft.
Daddy Day Care.
Leaving the station to see what Lowestoft has in store for today.
Scores To Settle.
One of the many ancient scores leading from the harbour to the old town centre, where the cargo from docking ships would have been transported to trade.
Pretty in Pink.
Despite the appearance of the sun, Lowestoft's South Promenade remains fairly quiet on a summer Saturday afternoon.
A Warm Welcome.
At the end of a branch line, the once majestic railway station at Lowestoft has seen better and more popular days.
Coffee Time.
Despite a large number of empty shops, the coffee shop chains continue to be popular, Lowestoft Town Centre.
Weekend Workout.
Heading out on the promenade, exercising for free..
The Saturday Sessions.
Enjoying a beer on a sunny Saturday afternoon, Lowestoft town centre.
The Last Outpost.
The fallen sea defences of Lowestoft's North Beach, just before Suffolk becomes Norfolk.
The Way Ahead.
The enticing sands of Lowestoft South Beach, also known as Kirkley Cliff.
Suffolk in 1300.
Shows the important ports of Dunwich and Lowestoft, Felixstowe then as a small village, and the headland at Easton Ness.
Suffolk in 2023.
Shows the moving of Felixstowe to become a port, the disappearance of Easton Ness and most of the town of Dunwich, alongside the shingle bar which effectively ended Aldeburgh as a port.
These images form my major project as part of my degree course in Photography.
My intention was to show a warts and all documentary of the four main Suffolk Coastal towns and the nearby environs, showing the beauty of the coast, the reality of some of the issues associated and the tourists that visit. It is also to demonstrate my own skills as a Landscape, Aerial and Social Documentary Photographer. This also turned out to be a historic summer, the first with no Covid restrictions, one of the warmest, driest and sunniest on record, and of course the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
The images of people were taken in public places, apart from the amusement arcade, and at present there is no requirement for legal permissions for these. They are solely intended as documentary images, to add to the story of the Suffolk Seaside resorts in the summer of 2022.
