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Historic paintings and photographs can serve as a vital record of coastal change in North Devon. Rather than relying solely on scientific tools, centuries of artistic work — from 18th-century panoramas to 20th-century photography — can help to reveal the evolving landscapes, industries, and communities of the region. Artists such as Vernon C. Boyle, Samuel Phillips Jackson, Alfred Leyman, and Joseph Kennedy documented everyday life, maritime activity, and natural features with remarkable accuracy. As photography took over from painting, artists like James Ravilious continued this legacy, providing a continuous visual narrative. Their work captures changes in shoreline geography, biodiversity, and human use, offering visual evidence of how towns like Barnstaple, Bideford, Appledore, and Clovelly were shaped by and responded to both natural and industrial forces.
These artworks form a layered visual archive that complements scientific data. They help us track erosion, shifting harbours, lost habitats, and disappearing trades. From shipbuilding in Appledore to fishing scenes in Bideford, these images offer critical insight into environmental and social change. View the StoryMap to learn more and to see some examples of artwork of the North Devon coast.