Long-lost sea-wall

This postcard from 1905 shows the eastern end of the sea-wall looking down from the West Pier. The wall is still there but has been buried for at least 70 years by the build-up of the shingle beach. This build-up followed the programme of sea-defence improvement in the late 19th century, particularly the construction of large concrete groynes.

On the sea-front near the right of the picture can be seen the sadly-missed late-Georgian Bedford Hotel; destroyed by fire in 1964 and replaced by a monstrous tower block.