×

SEARCH

News & Views

Heritage by the Sea: Iconic Listed Struc...

31 July 2026

Heritage by the Sea: Iconic Listed Structures for Summer Adventures

A woman with dark hair is smiling and wearing a black-and-white patterned blouse with a necklace. She is in front of a plain background.

By Joanne Townsend Administration Assistant

Wooden steps lead down a grassy cliffside to a rocky beach and clear blue sea under a bright sky.

Share

Swap the classic beach towel for your walking boots and take a summer adventure to explore some of the UK’s incredible listed coastal structures.

Our coastline is far more than just sand and sea; it is an open-air museum dotted with many protected architectural gems to visit and explore, so why not plan a summer day trip and discover some of the stories and history behind our amazing coastline.

Here we explore a handful of the listed structures on Britain’s coastline. There is so many to choose from, it was hard to pick just a few.

The Crow Stone – Leigh-on-Sea, Southend

At 8 metres tall, the Crow Stone obelisk on Chalkwell beach in Leigh-on-Sea, Southend is one of the area’s most distinctive historic landmarks. Erected between 1836 and 1837 it replaced a previous stone from 1755 and was formed from a single piece of granite.

The Crow Stone marked the eastern boundary of the City of London’s control over the River Thames. It symbolised the city’s authority over the river until the responsibility passed to the Crown in 1857. It forms a pair with the London Stone on the Isle of Grain in Kent.

It was granted Grade II listed status in 2021 to ensure its preservation and has today become a memorial to the point in the river where the boundaries of London’s reach extended.

You can find out more about the Crow Stone here: The Crow Stone (London Boundary Stone), Non Civil Parish – 1472163 | Historic England

Tintagel Castle - Cornwall

Perched dramatically on the cliffs of the North Cornwall coast, Tintagel Castle is an iconic historic site to visit.

Originally built in the 13^th century by Richard, Earl of Cornwall, it later fell into disrepair. The Castle’s atmospheric ruins stand partly on the mainland and partly on the island, and in medieval times the two halves were connected by a bridge.

The castle occupies a site that has been associated with settlement since the Roman period. It is best known for its legendary connection to King Arthur, with medieval writer Geoffrey of Monmouth naming the castle as Arthur’s place of conception, a story that has captivated visitors for centuries.

This Grade I listed castle attracts visitors from around the world and offers spectacular coastal views.

The site is today managed by English Heritage and you can find out more about visiting Tintagel Castle here: Visit Tintagel Castle | English Heritage

Bleak House – Broadstairs, Kent

Bleak House (previously known as Fort House) is a striking Grade II listed property that sits on a clifftop overlooking the North Foreland and Viking Bay in Broadstairs, Kent. It was built around 1801 and was the home of the local fort captain during the Napoleonic wars. The house was substantially extended to double its size in 1901.

Bleak House is closely associated with Charles Dickens who is believed to have stayed there in the 1850’s and 1860’s whilst writing parts of ‘David Copperfield’ and ‘Bleak House’, which was the novel that later inspired the property’s name change in his honour.

Today, Bleak House remains a much-loved feature of the Kent coastline. It is privately owned and is used for weddings and events. Visitors can admire its impressive exterior from the coastal path, or there is a small museum you can visit to find out more of its history, and there is also a lovely tearoom to enjoy.

You can find out more about Bleak House here: Broadstairs Smuggling Museum | Tours of Dickens Bleak House in Broadstairs

A brick building with white trim, crenellated roof, and a sign reading “Bleak House” near the entrance.

Wooden signpost points to Durlston, Peveril Point, and Swanage by the coast with sea and houses in the background.

Wellington Tower - Peveril Point, Swanage

Wellington Tower is a distinctive Victorian landmark offering impressive views overlooking Swanage Bay.

Originally built in 1854 in London, Wellington clock tower once stood at the Southern end of the old London Bridge. In 1867 the Metropolitan Police condemned the tower as an obstruction in traffic, when it was then demolished.

Local Swanage businessman George Burt decided to ship the Portland stone from London to his hometown, he then reconstructed the tower where it re-opened in 1868 without the clock.

Constructed as a decorative folly and viewing tower, it commemorates the Duke of Wellington. This 40-foot Grade II listed tower features an elegant gothic revival design and is an iconic feature of Swanage’s seafront.

You can find out more about Wellington Tower here: The Clock Tower, Swanage, Dorset

Brighton Royal Pavillion - Brighton

Located in the heart of Brighton, this extraordinary former royal palace is known for its striking architecture, lavish interiors and fascinating royal history. With its domes, minarets and oriental inspired decoration, it remains one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks.

The story of the pavilion began in 1787 when George, Prince of Wales- later King George IV commissioned architect Henry Holland to transform an existing farmhouse into a fashionable seaside retreat. Brighton had become a popular destination for wealthy visitors and the prince quickly fell in love with the town.

Between 1815 and 1823 the building was redesigned by architect John Nash with its distinctive onion domes, minarets and exotic Indo-Saracenic architecture, and the result is a remarkable blend of Eastern influences and Regency extravagance unlike any other royal residence in Britain.

During the First World War, the Pavillon served as a military hospital for over 4000 wounded Indian soldiers from the British Army.

The Royal Pavillion is a Grade I listed building and today is one of Brighton’s most popular attractions. Visitors can explore its magnificent State Rooms and admire the restored Regency interiors or even take a stroll in the stunning Pavillion gardens. Guided tours and special behind the scenes experiences are also available throughout the year. You can find out more about visiting Brighton Royal Pavillion here: Royal Pavilion & Garden – Brighton & Hove Museums

A grand palace with domes and minarets is reflected in a calm pool under a blue sky with scattered clouds.

Large stone ruins of a castle sit on a grassy hill under a blue sky with a few clouds overhead.

New Slains Castle - Scotland

New Slains Castle is a dramatic cliff-top ruin near Cruden Bay, Aberdeenshire. This Category B listed building was originally built around 1597 by Francis Hay, 9^th Earl of Erroll after King James VI ordered the destruction of the original Slains Castle. Over the centuries, it underwent several expansions including the addition of wings and a gallery corridor in 1664 and a major Scots Baronial-style remodel in 1836-1837 by architect John Smith.

Ownership remained within the Hay family for over three centuries until it was sold in 1916. The roof was removed in 1925 which then led to its current ruinous state.

Bram Stoker, author of Dracula visited Cruden Bay and the castle between 1892 and 1910 and whilst New Slains Castle did not directly inspire the plot for Dracula, it likely provided a visual influence. The castle is also mentioned in 2 of Stoker’s other novels.

Today, visitors can explore the ruins including the towers, however caution needs to be taken. Equally, the exterior views are impressive and breathtaking, where you can enjoy the North Sea views safely.

You can find out more here: Slains Castle Feature Page on Undiscovered Scotland

Blackpool Tower – Blackpool

Blackpool Tower is one of Britains most famous landmarks and has been a symbol of the seaside town of Blackpool since it opened in 1894 and has become a recognisable and well-loved landmark on Lancashire’s coastline.

Inspired by The Eiffel Tower in Paris it was designed by architects James Maxwell and Charles Tuke and stands at 158 metres tall.

Also commonly known as the Tower Buildings, it is an entertainment complex that comprises of the tower, the Tower Circus, the Tower Ballroom and roof gardens.

This iconic building welcomes millions of visitors each year and is full of fun and history.

Find out more about visiting Blackpool Tower here: Blackpool’s Best Tourist Attraction | The Blackpool Tower

A tall tower overlooks a sandy beach with scattered people and buildings under a blue sky with light clouds.

Tall white and red lighthouse stands beside a white house under a clear blue sky on a sunny day.

Portland Bill Lighthouse- Dorset

Portland Bill Lighthouse- Dorset

Portland Bill lighthouse is one of England’s most famous lighthouses. This Grade II listed lighthouse stands on the southern tip of the Isle of Portland in Dorset.

The current lighthouse was built by Trinity House and first shone its light on 11^th January 1906. It replaced two earlier lighthouses that had guided ships since 1716. Portland’s Coast has been notorious for the number of shipwrecked vessels over the centuries as the coastline features shallow reefs and the Shambles sandbank.

This striking white tower with its red band is 41 metres tall and continues to help vessels navigate safely through the English Channel.

Originally operated by lighthouse keepers the lighthouse was automated in 1996 and today it remains active.

Portland Bill Lighthouse is a very popular tourist attraction where visitors can climb the 155 steps in the tower to enjoy the amazing coastal views, or they have a very informative visitor centre where you can learn all about the history of the lighthouse.

Find out for about visiting Portland Bill Lighthouse here: Portland Bill Lighthouse – Portland, Dorset

Owning a listed home

Alongside all of these beautiful Coastal Gems, there are hundreds of thousands of listed properties across the UK; many of which are residential homes.

Owning a listed home is a privilege and a responsibility. Ensuring a listed home is properly protected is vitally important and that is where Abode can help. Here at Abode, we are listed property insurance specialists. If you would like some free advice you can speak to one of our expert advisors by contacting us on 01622 476 433.