While staying at Brighton Constable made a number of excursions along the coast, to places such as nearby Hove. Hove was less populated than Brighton, without the bustle of tourists, and gave Constable  the opportunity to concentrate on the beach, sea and sky. In this painting, and Hove Beachc.1824  , Constable handled his paint expressively and used the figures on the beach, the buildings and boats to provide a contrast to the natural elements. There are numerous pentimenti, which indicate that Constable altered the position of the boats on the skyline.