Another Place - Crosby

Sunset and Iron Men

Crosby beach, to the north of Liverpool, is the setting for Antony Gormley's 'Another Place', a collection of 100 cast-iron life-size figures scattered over the sand. These iron men stand impassively looking out to sea and make this a very special place to be.

If you have never been there you might not be able to appreciate the scale of the installation and the effect it has on people. The figures are well spaced apart but seem to be everywhere.

Another Place, Crosby beach

Take my word for it - it is simply magical and sad, haunting and impressive in equal measure, at least to me.

Barnacles and seabirds

I have visited Another Place a number of times now but am still in awe of these wonderful figures in their differing stages of wear. Barnacles have made them a home and birds perch on their heads and shoulders, leaving their inevitable mark.  

People leave bunches of flowers and mementos too. 

Some figures stand proud of the sand on their foundations, some appear to have sunk to their middles, but they all stare out to sea with expressionless faces making me, at least, feel their longing and acceptance.

Antony Gormley made these iron men with casts of his own body, and there they stand, naked and vulnerable and very moving.

Iron man looking out to sea

They are placed along the shore at differing distances from the sea and some are completely covered when the tide is in, so visit at low tide, if you want be able to see them all.

Red cranes of Seaforth docks

To the south of Crosby beach you will see Seaforth Docks and their tall red cranes dominate the scene, making the iron materials work well in this industrial landscape.

Crosby beach

On this visit we didn't arrive until the sun was about to set, it was a winter's afternoon and had been overcast all day.  As we clambered down the sand dunes the setting sun broke through the clouds and beams of golden light picked out pools of sea water along the beach.  It was a beautiful sight.

Crosby beach

Photographers and their dogs next to one of the iron men