Escape To "Another Place" And See Crosby’s Iron Men, Liverpool, UK

What is Another Place?

A work of modern art, Another Place consists of 100 identical cast-iron statues of a male form, leading to the site commonly being referred to as the Iron Men. Created by British sculptor Antony Gormley, the naked figures were modelled after his own body.

According to the artist, his work is “an attempt to materialise the place at the other side of appearance where we all live”. Whether you find deep meanings when viewing the statues, or simply see them as kooky attractions that add something different to the beach, they certainly are quite bizarre.

All facing out towards the Irish Sea, the rather eerie statues are spread across three kilometres (1.9 miles) of wide beach, stretching from Waterloo to Blundellsands.

Whilst all of the statues are the same height, the ebb and flow of the tide may mean that some are partially, or fully, submerged at times. It does present quite a strange sight when you look out over the sea and spot motionless figures poking out of the waves.

The same, yet different

After appearing in various destinations around Europe, on display since the late 1990s, the identical statues have now been given a permanent home in Crosby. In the same location for ten years, the statues might have started out identical, but the years, the ocean, and the weather have made subtle changes, meaning that each statue is slightly different. Indeed, they may appear subtly different if you visit more than once.

Some statues have been eroded in places, with flaky flecks on parts of the bodies. Others have, unfortunately, been vandalised. Barnacles may cling to the statues, and seaweed might be draped around the forms. It’s also not unusual to find that previous visitors have decked out some of the statues in clothing and accessories, sometimes adding a rather comical element.

Best time to visit Another Place

Whilst you can visit Another Place at any time of the year, the warmer months between May and September are generally the best if you want to also sunbathe and relax on the sands. Do note, however, that the beach is not suitable for swimming. The gloomy winter months, on the other hand, can make the area even more atmospheric. Wrap up warm and take a walk along the coast, the wind through your hair and against your face as you make out the still and ghost-like figures in the distance.

Some statues are fully revealed, standing proudly on the golden sands, their arms rigid by their sides, whilst others are surrounded by water. Indeed, during high tide most of the statues will be invisible, covered by the salty sea waters. Try to visit at low tide if you want to see the most exposed statues, or between low and high tide if you would prefer to see a mixture of fully revealed and partially submerged statues. You can check the tide times on Sefton Council’s website.