Sea Defence at Sutton on Sea.

Miles of sand and sea greet the visitor as he/she climbs over the Pullover and walks or bikes along the Promenade.

The wooden breakers, once a characteristic of this part of the coast are no longer present. In 1992 rocks were in brought in by sea from Norway and placed in front of the bank. Although quite clearly seen for a number of years, now they are virtually covered with sand.

For many years the barriers between the sea and the land consisted of sand and soil held together with natural vegetation such as marram grass. This is well suited to the salty environment with its curled leaves that cut down fresh water loss. Land was reclaimed from the marsh, drained but this was only possible with the sea being kept at bay. There is evidence to suggest that the early settlers reclaimed land some way further east but eventually the North Sea clawed it back.

The Lion Pillar This pillar is all that remains of the original sea defences and promenade (built in the 1880's at a cost of 350) which was destroyed in the East Coast Floods of January 31st. 1953   In the early 1900's a concrete promenade was built and wooden breakers stretched out into the sea at intervals of 500 yards.

In 1953 major floods showed that this defence system was inadequate and more substantial structure was built. This was 'wave' facing the sea. It was an eight foot high concrete concave wall standing on steps. Interlinked steel plates were driven into the sand and soil between the concrete steps and the sea to prevent water undermining the sea defence. This extended from north of Sutton on Sea through to Sandilands, along the side of the Golf course and nearly to Huttoft Bank where slabs were placed at a right angle to the ground.