In 1800, William Blake left London for Felpham, a sleepy Sussex village, seeking a fresh start at forty-three. He and his wife Catherine traveled sixty miles south, bringing sixteen boxes of belongings including his unsold prints and printing press. The move marked a pivotal shift for the visionary poet and artist, who had never before seen the sea.

Blake's new home, Rose Cottage, was rented from the local pub owner for twenty pounds annually. The invitation came from poet William Hayley, who wanted Blake to illustrate his work. Felpham, with its thatched cottages and sandy lanes, offered a stark contrast to Blake's London life. The sea, just at the end of his lane, became a constant presence, inspiring his work and imagination.

This seaside sojourn proved transformative for Blake. He wrote of the cottage as a 'mundane shell' and the sea as a source of endless inspiration. The move coincided with a shift in England's relationship with the sea, from fear to fascination. For Blake, Felpham became a place where 'Heaven opens here on all sides her Golden Gates,' fueling his creative output and shaping his artistic vision.