Introduction

Early October brought me to Porthwen Brickworks on Anglesey — a place I’d never visited before. The weather wasn’t what many would call ideal for photography: flat, grey, and overcast skies with just a hint of texture. But sometimes, those conditions offer the most unexpected opportunities.

This trip wasn’t originally about photography. My wife and I were on holiday, determined to visit places we’d never explored before. My plan was simply to get the drone up for a few aerial shots and to scout the area. But the moment I arrived, my focus shifted completely.

Wide Panorama Drone view of Porthwen Brickworks with turquoise sea

First Impressions

Walking through the derelict site felt like stepping into a movie scene — something straight out of Indiana Jones. The quiet stillness added to the sense of mystery, as if I was uncovering a long-forgotten ruin hidden deep in the landscape.

The sea surrounding the brickworks is a striking azure-green, crystal clear and almost out of place against the weathered remains of the industrial buildings. The contrast between nature’s beauty and the decaying man-made structures gives the area a surreal charm.

Graffiti-covered, weathered brick and plaster wall at Porthwen Brickworks, Anglesey, with ivy growing through cracks and rusted metal detail — A Change in Perspective

I’d set out expecting to shoot sweeping coastal scenes and perhaps a few drone landscapes. Instead, I found myself drawn to the graffiti, rusting machinery, and textures of the crumbling walls.

It became less about traditional landscape photography and more about architecture, abstraction, and story. Each corner revealed new details — industrial remnants, colours, and marks left by time. It was like being a child in a sweet shop, discovering something fascinating at every turn.

This isn’t my usual genre. I’m most at home with seascapes, woodlands, and fine-art long exposures — but something about Porthwen’s atmosphere completely shifted my creative mindset.

Capturing the Details

I kept my setup simple: the Nikon D850 paired with the Nikon 16–35mm f/4 VR. That lens, with its vibration reduction, was ideal for the low light of the day and light enough to carry comfortably while exploring.

Everything was shot handheld, with bracketing to capture as much tonal range as possible. The more I composed each frame, the more I realised how well the environment suited black and white photography — strong textures, deep contrast, and intricate details everywhere I looked.

Reflection

The visit to Porthwen Brickworks turned out to be one of the most creatively refreshing experiences I’ve had in a long time. It pulled me out of my usual landscape mindset and challenged me to see differently — to embrace imperfection, decay, and texture as beauty.

Even the drone shots captured a different kind of story, one that felt layered and cinematic. Porthwen cast a quiet spell over me that day — one that’s stayed with me and will likely shape how I approach certain projects in the future.

Final Images

Here are a selection of images from the day — a blend of handheld captures and aerial perspectives that showcase the haunting beauty of this forgotten industrial site on the Anglesey coast.

A moody black and white study of a stone archway at Porthwen Brickworks, Anglesey, capturing texture, depth and the quiet atmosphere of this forgotten industrial relic.

The towering chimney of Porthwen Brickworks stands over ivy-covered ruins on a grey Anglesey day, a powerful glimpse into Wales’s industrial past reclaimed by nature.

An overgrown archway framed by lush ferns and ivy inside Porthwen Brickworks, Anglesey — where the soft textures of nature now blend with crumbling stone and rusting metal.

A sweeping aerial view of Porthwen Brickworks on the coast of Anglesey. The rugged cliffs, red-brick ruins and turquoise waters reveal the haunting beauty of this forgotten industrial harbour.

Weathered brickwork and graffiti on the crumbling walls of Porthwen Brickworks, Anglesey — textures of decay and resilience etched into the remains of a once-thriving industrial site.

An ivy-covered kiln door framed by aged brickwork at Porthwen Brickworks, Anglesey. A striking black-and-white study of contrast and detail where nature entwines with history.

Looking down from the coastal path towards Porthwen Brickworks, Anglesey. The brick ruins meet the calm sea beneath moody skies — a timeless union of industrial heritage and Welsh coastline.

Rusted boiler tanks and corroded machinery at Porthwen Brickworks, Anglesey — once part of a thriving industrial site, now a striking reminder of time and decay on the Welsh coast.

A high aerial perspective of Porthwen Brickworks, Anglesey, reveals the full layout of this abandoned coastal site — circular kilns, crumbling chimneys and rust-red ruins framed by the green and brown tones of the Welsh hillside.

About the Author

Mike Earl is a landscape photographer based in the United Kingdom, specialising in coastal, woodland, and black and white fine-art imagery. His work explores the emotion and atmosphere of the British landscape — from the moody coastlines of Wales to the mist-filled forests of the Midlands.

Discover more of Mike’s photography on his website, or follow his latest adventures on YouTube and Instagram.

Exploring Porthwen Brickworks: A Forgotten Gem on Anglesey’s Coast

Introduction

First Impressions

A Change in Perspective

Capturing the Details

Reflection

Final Images

About the Author

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