Salt Pans
The Salt Pans are two man-made salt pans on the coastline at East Weare, below Grove Point. Although the origins of the pans remain uncertain, it is believed they saw use from Saxon times. Both pans, along with much of East Weare, have been designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) for the area's natural environment and wildlife.
History
The two salt pans are man-made, having been dug out of the Kimmeridge clay many centuries ago. While their exact origins remain uncertain, it is believed the pans were in frequent use during Saxon and Norman times. The salt industry on Portland was based around two sites; the two pans at East Weare and at the tidal lagoon known as the Mere, which was located at the north of the island, near Portland Castle. The pans at East Weare would flood at high spring tides and once the seawater evaporated, the encrusted salt was then collected.
Despite their age and lack of use for centuries, both pans remain intact. In the northernmost pan, the casing of an old naval mine has remained there for the last few decades. The coastline in the vicinity of the two pans was once known as Red Bricks.
References
The following is an A-Z list of references for this page.
1) Chesil Beach - Geological Field Guide - Dr. Ian West - website page
2) Exploring Portland - Salt Pans, a Dead Whale and - a Mine! - Geoff Kirby - website page
3) Heritage Gateway - East Weare salt pool, Portland - MDO19643 - website page
4) Portland: An Illustrated History - Stuart Morris - Dovecote Press - 1985 - ISBN: 978-0946159345 - page 20 - book
5) Wikipedia Commons - Photograph of goat information sign at East Weare - website page
History
The two salt pans are man-made, having been dug out of the Kimmeridge clay many centuries ago. While their exact origins remain uncertain, it is believed the pans were in frequent use during Saxon and Norman times. The salt industry on Portland was based around two sites; the two pans at East Weare and at the tidal lagoon known as the Mere, which was located at the north of the island, near Portland Castle. The pans at East Weare would flood at high spring tides and once the seawater evaporated, the encrusted salt was then collected.
Despite their age and lack of use for centuries, both pans remain intact. In the northernmost pan, the casing of an old naval mine has remained there for the last few decades. The coastline in the vicinity of the two pans was once known as Red Bricks.
References
The following is an A-Z list of references for this page.
1) Chesil Beach - Geological Field Guide - Dr. Ian West - website page
2) Exploring Portland - Salt Pans, a Dead Whale and - a Mine! - Geoff Kirby - website page
3) Heritage Gateway - East Weare salt pool, Portland - MDO19643 - website page
4) Portland: An Illustrated History - Stuart Morris - Dovecote Press - 1985 - ISBN: 978-0946159345 - page 20 - book
5) Wikipedia Commons - Photograph of goat information sign at East Weare - website page
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