A Spontaneous Afternoon Exploring Easington’s Historical Sites

This afternoon, I found myself with a couple of unexpected hours free, so I decided to grab my drone and camera and head out without any concrete plans. Unfortunately, my instincts weren’t quite firing on all cylinders today, and the overcast weather didn’t help. Still, I managed to capture some intriguing locations in Easington, and while not everything went perfectly, there are still some great shots to work through. Here’s a rundown of where I went:

Seaton Holme, Easington

Seaton Holme is one of the oldest surviving domestic buildings in England, dating back to 1249. Originally a medieval manor house, Seaton Holme has gone through many transformations over the centuries. It was once home to the Rectors of Easington Parish and, in more recent years, has been used as an orphanage and a home for the elderly. After falling into disrepair, the building was beautifully restored in the 1990s and is now used for community events and local government offices. I captured some great drone photos and aerial video of this Grade I-listed building, which showcases its historic stone structure and the surrounding gardens.

Thorpe Pumping Station (or Thorpe Waterworks), Easington

Next, I headed to the Thorpe Pumping Station, or as it’s also sometimes known, Thorpe Waterworks. The history of this site remains somewhat of a mystery, but it’s believed to have been built during the early 20th century, most likely as part of the infrastructure to support the region’s extensive coal mining operations. Like many other pumping stations in the North East, it was possibly used to pump water out of the local coal mines, preventing flooding and allowing mining operations to continue. While the site was gated and closed, limiting my access, I did manage to capture some drone footage and photos from above. These should highlight the industrial charm of the building, even though its precise history is unclear. I'll keep digging for more concrete details on this one.

Easington Beach Pillbox

Finally, I made my way to the Easington Beach Pillbox, a remnant of World War II coastal defences. This pillbox, a small, concrete structure designed to accommodate machine guns, was built in 1940 as part of Britain’s preparations to defend against a potential German invasion. Located on the cliffside, it now stands precariously close to the edge due to coastal erosion, with parts of the structure already collapsed into the sea. These pillboxes were part of a wider network of defensive measures constructed along Britain’s coastline. I captured some drone photos, aerial video, and camera shotsof the pillbox, showcasing its dramatic setting against the backdrop of the sea and cliffs.

A Productive but Challenging Day

Although today wasn’t as fruitful as I’d hoped, it still provided some interesting historical insights and allowed me to experiment with different shots despite the grey weather. Seaton Holme offered a glimpse into medieval England, while Thorpe Pumping Station remains a bit of a mystery, adding to its intrigue. The Easington Beach Pillbox stands as a silent reminder of Britain’s WWII history. While it wasn’t the most rewarding day for my instincts, I still captured some useful footage and will spend the next few days editing these shots. With the weather set to turn, it looks like I’ll have some extra time to work on my growing backlog of footage.