Sizewell

Sizewell is an area within Suffolk that sits inside an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), protected by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. The designation exists to conserve and enhance the natural beauty of the land.

Oddly, for the beach lover I am and with a fondness for the odd and overlooked places, I had never managed to visit Sizewell in the 47 years I have lived on the east coast of England. It is known for its nuclear power stations: Sizewell A, now being decommissioned; Sizewell B; and the ongoing construction of Sizewell C. The site is slowly spreading, taking over more land, a reality that must be a contentious issue for those who live nearby.

It’s hard not to feel a sense of sadness for the environment. The land has no choice in what we decide to do with it. Some fight for its survival, but ultimately it is often those with more power and more money who prevail.

In winter, it is a beautiful landscape. Old fishing boats gather on the shoreline as you walk towards the sea. Some are slowly falling apart, worn by the salt air and neglect. It feels like a fitting resting place for them, forever facing the sea, holding memories of days spent battling brutal conditions in search of a catch. It must have been a hard life.

Regulars gather at the café for a hot drink before setting off along the coast. The smell of bacon rolls fills the air as you pass by; your stomach responds, and you promise yourself one on the way back. There are miles of tracks here that snake through heathland, across farmland, or simply along the shingle beach towards the next town.

Seagulls fly above you while the gentle sound of the ocean hitting the shingle beach soothes your senses. The odd dog barks in the distance, calling its owner to throw the ball once more. The coast has always given me a sense of space, a place to breathe and to gather your thoughts. To reflect. It’s a place that heals, even if it is just for the moment.

As you look north along the beach, the power stations immediately demand your attention. Sizewell A stands as a dominant presence as it looms over the landscape. Its brutalist architecture is striking against such a natural backdrop. The cold grey concrete and hard lines of the design are surrounded by barbed wire fences. The “keep out” signs interrupt the coastline’s natural sense of freedom. Instead, it’s hard and threatening.

It is a stunning building, cold and unforgiving as it stands over you. Brutalism in its finest form. The sheer scale of it is something I wasn’t expecting; it dominates the land. Despite everything, I can’t help but admire it. Moving past its imposing presence, through dunes and low green grass, you reach the newer power station sizewell B and the ongoing development on Sizewell C. Different in form and less overpowering.

Sizewell B presents another kind of presence. Lines, shapes, and colours from the building demand your attention as your eyes slowly travel over the structures. The shifting clouds and bright blue sky match the buildings; it’s almost meant to be. Much softer in design than the first and beautiful in its own way.

This visit made me think about how we define beauty. It may be subjective, but the more we slow down and look at the everyday, the more we begin to notice. That act of looking can be deeply enriching. We all see very differently, and of course this is just my singular take on the area in that very moment.

This project explores the land and searches for beauty within a place shaped by conflict, contradiction, and a quiet sadness. It’s a reflection on me for the most part. Something familiar resonates in these spaces. It is, after all, why I spend so much time exploring and enjoying such spaces.

Thanks for looking :)

Suzi