Crosby Beach and Another Place

Crosby Beach lies on the Sefton coast north of Liverpool in England, and is home to Another Place, an installation by the sculptor Antony Gormley. One hundred cast-iron figures, each cast from the artist's own body, stand along roughly three kilometres of sand and are spaced up to a kilometre out to sea, all facing the horizon. The tide shapes the experience. At high water, the farthest figures are submerged and the nearest stand in the surf; at low tide, visitors can walk out among them across the sand and mud. Barnacles, seaweed and rust have changed the statues over time, giving them a weathered, almost human quality. Beyond them, container ships pass in and out of the Port of Liverpool, and the Burbo Bank wind farm turbines turn on the horizon. The beach also offers views towards the Welsh coast and, on clear days, Snowdonia. A promenade and the Marine Lake nearby provide paths for walks, and the Crosby coastal park has benches and cafes. Entry is free and the site is open at all times. Check the tide tables, since the incoming tide moves quickly across the flat sand and can cut off the figures farthest out; visitors should not walk far from the shore when the tide is turning, and the soft mud near the lower beach can be hazardous. Photography is at its best at low tide near sunset, when the figures are silhouetted against the sky. A visit usually takes one to two hours. The beach can be windy and exposed, so warm, waterproof clothing is advisable even in summer. Trains on the Merseyrail Northern Line run to Blundellsands and Crosby, about a ten-minute walk away, or to Waterloo for a longer coastal stroll. Dogs are common on the beach, and on sunny weekends the promenade is busy.