Saunton beach in North Devon was once converted into an extraordinary open-air hospital setting for a memorable photoshoot.
The striking image, showcasing hundreds of wrought iron Victorian beds dotted across the shoreline, was taken in 1987 by celebrated photographer Storm Thorgerson for Pink Floyd's 'A Momentary Lapse of Reason' album artwork.
A remarkable 800 NHS beds were brought to the location by 30 employed workers. Remarkably, the team had to arrange the spectacle twice after rainfall disrupted their initial attempt, necessitating a repeat performance a fortnight afterwards.
The dreamlike photograph was based on a drawing from Pink Floyd guitarist and vocalist David Gilmour, which he requested Storm to realise.
The beds, referencing lyrics in the track 'Yet Another Movie' that speak of "a vision of empty beds", weren't the sole connections to the album's songs.
A microlight aircraft visible flying overhead references the beloved track "Learning to Fly", while a collection of dogs positioned beside the water nods to the song "Dogs". A lone figure occupies one bed at the heart of the composition, a housemaid clutches linens at the edge, and a microlight aircraft appears in the heavens above.
Initially, the intention was to photograph the scene in America, but Storm was unable to locate the particular beds he wished to feature there.
Consequently, the choice was taken to arrange the distinctive photoshoot on Saunton beach in Devon alternatively.
Photographer Storm remarked: "This was English rain which is more like a grey event.
"I had to cancel the shoot there and then, undo all the beds - all of them - carry them back up the cliff and put them back in the lorries.
"We came back to do it two weeks later and it was fine."
One of the key figures behind that album's iconic artwork was Devon's own Drew Ellis, the Ashburton-based founder of the Like Minds business festival.
In a 2019 interview with DevonLive, Drew recalled: "Nowadays, that type of thing would be done in photoshop but back then, if you wanted something, you had to make it happen so we took all those beds into the beach for the photograph."
Devon's most celebrated beach
Saunton beach has long been a favourite with film crews.
Over the years, this stunning stretch of coastline has served as the backdrop for numerous high-profile films, television productions and music videos.
Did you think that Californian beach scene was actually shot across the Atlantic?
Think again - it was in fact recreated right here on Devon's doorstep.
Pink Floyd 'The Wall' (1982)
Saunton beach clearly left a lasting impression on this iconic British band.
The Second World War flashback sequences were captured here.
Edge of Tomorrow (2014)
Helicopters equipped with extraordinarily expensive cameras hovered above Saunton for hours filming scenes for this sci-fi thriller fronted by Tom Cruise. Despite widespread local speculation that the Hollywood superstar might have been on location, he was sadly nowhere to be seen. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society (2017)
The box office success, starring Downton Abbey's Lily James and Matthew Goode, made use of multiple North Devon locations.
Footage included Nazis marching through Bideford's streets and a Second World War fighter aircraft touching down on Saunton beach.
Robbie Williams 'Angels' music video (1997)
Those mesmerising, sweeping shots of Robbie with his arms raised?
Yes, they were filmed at Saunton.
The video for what is perhaps his biggest hit represented Robbie's initial partnership with director Vaughan Arnell.
Olly Murs 'Hand on Heart' music video (2013)
Former X Factor star Olly Murs shot a video at Saunton, which shows a notable similarity to Robbie's 'Angels'.
Sweeping, dramatic helicopter footage from above and plenty of "holding hands up to the sky" feature prominently.
