Landermere Wharf Area (EHER 14895)

This is a port area with a number of associated features and consists of a dock area for lying at anchor, a wharf for embarkation and disembarkation, and a loading and unloading area. This is an important complex, the area needs full research and recording. The area is under threat from erosion and lack of adequate management.

This is a port area with a number of associated features and consists of a dock area for lying at anchor, a wharf for embarkation and disembarkation, and a loading and unloading area. It is marked on the OS 1st edition map <1> as the site of a maltings and local knowledge has it as an area for storage in warehouses. The area includes a dock and jetty, a wharf and the position of an old sluice gate. The dock is revetted down each side from the sluice to the wharf. The jetty encloses the dock on the north side and is made out of the saltmarsh that has been cut to form the dock. It has been piled and riveted to form a surface for access and unloading. Situated at the west end of the dock is the old sluice-gate with its revetments still intact. Situating the sluice hare is of note for it would enable the dock's bottom to be kept clear of silt due to the flow of water. There is still quite a torrent coming through the cistern. Next to the dock and jetty is a possible dry dock riveted around the cut and possible sluice/lock gate structure. This would be the best interpretation given the presence of a reputed saw pit, now either eroded or partly filled in. The wharf is constructed out of wood, earth and stone. Rammed chalk lies behind wooden riveting with cobbles and shingle rammed into the surface. There is probably a rubble fill or brushwood interlacing as at the medieval wharf in York. The wharf may also be stabilised on the estuarine clay by the use of piling as for the jetty. The wharf is experiencing erosion of its surface and landward bank making it less stable. A local resident wants to stabilise it by ramming piles into the wharf and dumping behind. Buildings associated with the wharf include the old public house, The Kings Head, which lost its license around 1950 (detailed in EHER 14895). The pub is shown on the OS 1st ed. map <1> along with a malthouse and a lime kiln. There are the remains of foundation walls of two buildings, probably warehouses, and a warehouse with a plaque on the wall to the Doctor to Queen Victoria, 1816-1890, having lived here (terraced cottages rather than warehouse detailed in EHER 34416). The house dates from the late 18th to early 19th century. At the west end of the quay is a trawler converted into a house and next to this is a series of revetments and a line of hard (wharf) together with what might be a cod box or a small dinghy (unable to get close for a good assessment). <2> Slides <3> Site Assessment: This is an important complex, the area needs full research and recording. The area is under threat from erosion and lack of adequate management. If any conservation work is carried out there should be an evaluation. The area needs monitoring. <2>