Fraud Blocker Skip to main content

Whelks Collection

Whelks, a type of edible shellfish found in British waters, have long been a part of coastal communities and their livelihoods

Background imageWhelks Collection: Dog Whelks (Mussels)

Dog Whelks (Mussels)
JLM-12222 Dog Whelks - and Mussels Nucella lapillus John Mason Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only and may not be reproduced in any way

Background imageWhelks Collection: Shops on the seafront in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, England. 3rd August 1954

Shops on the seafront in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, England. 3rd August 1954

Background imageWhelks Collection: Edible shellfish in British waters (colour litho)

Edible shellfish in British waters (colour litho)
3630235 Edible shellfish in British waters (colour litho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Edible shellfish in British waters)

Background imageWhelks Collection: British Fisheries, No 7, trotting for Whelks (engraving)

British Fisheries, No 7, trotting for Whelks (engraving)
2771965 British Fisheries, No 7, trotting for Whelks (engraving) by Andrews, George Henry (1816-98) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: British Fisheries, No 7, trotting for Whelks)

Background imageWhelks Collection: The May-Day Labour Demonstration in Hyde Park (engraving)

The May-Day Labour Demonstration in Hyde Park (engraving)
1614884 The May-Day Labour Demonstration in Hyde Park (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The May-Day Labour Demonstration in Hyde Park)

Background imageWhelks Collection: Children picking whelks in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear. 28th April 1954

Children picking whelks in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear. 28th April 1954

Background imageWhelks Collection: People picking whelks in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear. 28th April 1954

People picking whelks in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear. 28th April 1954

Background imageWhelks Collection: Fisherman unloads buckies whelks at Port William, Galloway

Fisherman unloads buckies whelks at Port William, Galloway, Scotland

Background imageWhelks Collection: Picture No. 12009535

Picture No. 12009535
Common Whelk - empty shell on sand - Germany Date:

Background imageWhelks Collection: Picture No. 12009534

Picture No. 12009534
Common Whelk - empty shell on sand - Germany Date:

Background imageWhelks Collection: Two Common Northern Whelk shells (Buccinum undatum), close up

Two Common Northern Whelk shells (Buccinum undatum), close up

Background imageWhelks Collection: Georges Bar Shell Fish Fresh Daily A queue of people wait to be served but a woman

Georges Bar Shell Fish Fresh Daily A queue of people wait to be served but a woman who has just received her order doesn t seem too impressed with the taste. 1950s

Background imageWhelks Collection: Picture No. 10863399

Picture No. 10863399
Dog whelk eating an isopod. (Nassiarius pauperatus) Date:

Background imageWhelks Collection: Common Whelk (Buccinum undatum) adult, on kelp stipe in sea loch, Loch Carron, Ross and Cromarty

Common Whelk (Buccinum undatum) adult, on kelp stipe in sea loch, Loch Carron, Ross and Cromarty, Highlands, Scotland, June

Background imageWhelks Collection: Common Whelk (Buccinum undatum) eggcases, clump washed up on beach, Gower Peninsula

Common Whelk (Buccinum undatum) eggcases, clump washed up on beach, Gower Peninsula, West Glamorgan, South Wales, March

Background imageWhelks Collection: Two whelks, close-up

Two whelks, close-up

Background imageWhelks Collection: Northia pristis, overhead and underside view of North sLlong Whelk shell, thick high spired

Northia pristis, overhead and underside view of North sLlong Whelk shell, thick high spired, vertical ribs on whorls smooth chocolate brown colour

Background imageWhelks Collection: Siphonalia trochulus, overhead and underside view of hooped whelk shell, thick tall spiral

Siphonalia trochulus, overhead and underside view of hooped whelk shell, thick tall spiral, whorls with thin ribs, lights brown striped

Background imageWhelks Collection: Marine Snail

Marine Snail

Background imageWhelks Collection: Dog whelk shells C019 / 1345

Dog whelk shells C019 / 1345
Dog whelk shells. Shells of dog whelks (Nucella lapillus). These marine gastropod molluscs are found around the coasts of Europe and the northern West Atlantic coast of North America

Background imageWhelks Collection: Fishing boat entering harbour, with whelks unloaded from fishing boat onto lorry, Saundersfoot

Fishing boat entering harbour, with whelks unloaded from fishing boat onto lorry, Saundersfoot, Pembrokeshire, Wales, August

Background imageWhelks Collection: Fishing boat in harbour, with whelks being unloaded onto lorry, Saundersfoot, Pembrokeshire

Fishing boat in harbour, with whelks being unloaded onto lorry, Saundersfoot, Pembrokeshire, Wales, August

Background imageWhelks Collection: Whelk - egg case on the beach - Belgium

Whelk - egg case on the beach - Belgium
ME-2506 Whelk - egg case on the beach Belgium Buccinum undatum Johan De Meester contact details: prints@ardea.com tel: +44 (0) 20 8318 1401

Background imageWhelks Collection: Common Whelk (Buccinum undatum) empty shell, on sandy beach, Titchwell, Norfolk, England, february

Common Whelk (Buccinum undatum) empty shell, on sandy beach, Titchwell, Norfolk, England, february

Background imageWhelks Collection: Shell Common whelk (Buccinus undatum) washing up on a sandy shore Penrhyn Bay N Wales

Shell Common whelk (Buccinus undatum) washing up on a sandy shore Penrhyn Bay N Wales

Background imageWhelks Collection: Common Whelk Shell - with worm tubes on shell

Common Whelk Shell - with worm tubes on shell
ROG-6412 Common WHELK Shell - with worm tubes on shell Buccinum undatum Bob Gibbons Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only and may not be reproduced in any way

Background imageWhelks Collection: Trapping Whelks on the Shores of the Caspian Sea by W. Heath

Trapping Whelks on the Shores of the Caspian Sea by W. Heath
The first illustration by William Heath Robinson (1872-1944) to appear in The Sketch on March 21st 1906. Part of a humorous series called, The Gentle Art of Catching Things

Background imageWhelks Collection: Common limpets, dogwhelk and acorn barnacles on a rock at low tide coast near Elgol, Isle of Skye

Common limpets, dogwhelk and acorn barnacles on a rock at low tide coast near Elgol, Isle of Skye, Western Highlands
SAS-423 Common limpets, dogwhelk and acorn barnacles on a rock at low tide coast near Elgol, Isle of Skye, Western Highlands, Scotland

Background imageWhelks Collection: Whelk

Whelk
PM-1585 WHELK Buccinum Pat Morris Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only and may not be reproduced in any way. contact details: prints@ardea.com tel: + 44 (0) 20 8318 1401

Background imageWhelks Collection: Whelk, Nassarius sp. at night, Lighthouse, Malapascua Island, Northern Cebu

Whelk, Nassarius sp. at night, Lighthouse, Malapascua Island, Northern Cebu, Philippines (Visayan Sea)
Andre Seale / SpecialistStock

Background imageWhelks Collection: Marine Snail Shells - mainly Turbinate monodant snails and Dogwhelks (Nucella lapillus)

Marine Snail Shells - mainly Turbinate monodant snails and Dogwhelks (Nucella lapillus), collected from Noth Sea
USH-3941 Marine Snail Shells - mainly Turbinate monodant snails and Dogwhelks (Nucella lapillus) collected from North Sea, England and the Atlantic coast

Background imageWhelks Collection: Dogwhelks on a rock at low tide beach of Bedruthan Steps, Cornwall, England, UK

Dogwhelks on a rock at low tide beach of Bedruthan Steps, Cornwall, England, UK
SAS-185 Dogwhelks - on a rock at low tide beach of Bedruthan Steps, Cornwall, England, UK Nucella lapillus Steffen & Alexandra Sailer Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only

Background imageWhelks Collection: Dogwhelk colourful dogwhelk on a rock at low tide beach of Bedruthan Steps, Cornwall, England, UK

Dogwhelk colourful dogwhelk on a rock at low tide beach of Bedruthan Steps, Cornwall, England, UK
SAS-184 Dogwhelk - colourful dogwhelk on a rock at low tide beach of Bedruthan Steps, Cornwall, England, UK Nucella lapillus Steffen & Alexandra Sailer Please note that prints are for personal

Background imageWhelks Collection: Dogwhelks colourful individuals on a rock at low tide beach of Bedruthan Steps, Cornwall, England

Dogwhelks colourful individuals on a rock at low tide beach of Bedruthan Steps, Cornwall, England, UK
SAS-183 Dogwhelks - colourful individuals on a rock at low tide beach of Bedruthan Steps, Cornwall, England, UK Nucella lapillus Steffen & Alexandra Sailer Please note that prints are for personal

Background imageWhelks Collection: Common whelk on the beach North sea, Belgium

Common whelk on the beach North sea, Belgium
ME-1261 Common whelk on the beach North sea, Belgium Buccinum undatum Johan De Meester Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only and may not be reproduced in any way

Background imageWhelks Collection: Shells and Bivalves

Shells and Bivalves
A variety of different sea shells, including varieties of clam, mussel, whelk and cockle


All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

Whelks, a type of edible shellfish found in British waters, have long been a part of coastal communities and their livelihoods. Dating back to the 19th century, whelk fishing has played a significant role in sustaining local economies. In August 1954, shops on the seafront in Southend-on-Sea, Essex displayed an array of freshly caught dog whelks alongside other seafood delicacies. The vibrant scene captured the essence of seaside life during that era. A captivating lithograph from 1878 showcases the intricate details of a whelk shell. Its swirling patterns and unique shape make it an intriguing subject for artists and collectors alike. The British Fisheries industry recognized the value of these mollusks as well. Engravings depict fishermen trotting for whelks, highlighting their importance as a valuable catch. Whelking was not limited to professional fishermen; even children participated in this age-old tradition. In Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, young ones were seen eagerly picking these treasures along the shoreline on April 28th, 1954. Their enthusiasm mirrored that of adults who also joined in this communal activity. Port William in Galloway witnessed bustling scenes as fishermen unloaded buckets filled with fresh catches of buckies whelks. This labor-intensive process exemplified the hard work put into bringing these delectable treats to market. Beyond economic significance, whelking held cultural importance too. An engraving depicting May Day celebrations at Hyde Park showcased how people came together to celebrate their shared heritage while enjoying delicious food like freshly picked whelks. From historic lithographs capturing their beauty to photographs showcasing everyday moments involving them - whether it be children collecting or fishermen unloading -whelps continue to hold fascination for those living near Britain's coastlines.