Show on map

Little remains of Black Nab itself which will be completely lost to the sea at some point.

The site below the cliffs is now heavily eroded and covered but its location can be seen on the first edition OS maps.

The most promenant remains are those of a harbour / breakwater below the actual quarry site, the quarry is thought to have been in use between 1649 and 1791.

The highlight is a 1766 datestone which has somehow survived nearly 250 years on the beach.

In the cliff at this location are the ‘Smugglers Holes’ its not really clear whether these actually relate to smuggling, the alum works or possibly jet mining (although my local expert on that tells me they are in the wrong strata)

Show on map

The remains of the alum house can be found at the edge of the beach and are being rapidly lost to erosion, what can be seen now is just the back wall of the structure.



Some remains still exist under the beach itself which were excavated by the Scarborough Archaeological and Historical Society. A circular stone cistern also remains just in front of the wall but I don’t have a photo as some holiday makers were using it as a seat at the time.

Show on map

Saltwick Nab was a site of alum quarrying between 1650 and 1791, the red colouring indicates shale has been burned which is part of the alum making process.

An alum house existed in later years, although its though that initially the alum liquor was  taken to South Shields for processing. The remains of a stone ramp exist on the shore, which may have been used to get carts on and off the Nab.

The flat area inland of the Nab has some remains of buildings and wooden pits, although the whole area has been so heavily eroded since it was worked its now difficult to interpret, it is however much more apparent on the first edition OS maps.