Saltom pit lies on a tiny strip of level ground in-between the foot of the cliff and the sea:  between a rock and a hard place.  Why was it built there?

Saltom was planned as the first under-sea coal mine in England.  Miners dug the shaft by hand from 1729-31.  The aim was to get as close to sea level as possible.  The mouth of the shaft is just 6m above sea level.  A huge sea-wall was built to protect the workings from the advancing sea.

Nothing can protect the workings from the advancing cliffs.  The whole coastline is on the move towards the sea.  Landslips have already buried two thirds of the buildings that once made up Saltom pit-head.  Eventually all of it will go.

Please explore the wonderful treasures at Saltom Bay, but take care to avoid unstable ground.