Oi kids, leave sandcastle construction to the experts

To realise his architectural ambitions, Will Gore battles tides and tantrums on the Norfolk coast

Will’s monumental castle complex takes shape (Will Gore)

The primaeval human instinct to create shelter takes many forms. In 21st-century Britain, it can be seen in the intrinsic belief of many men that they could – despite having no training – turn their hand to a bit of architecture.

When viewing possible homes to buy, men will tap on walls to find out which are load-bearing and which could potentially be removed so that the kitchen can be knocked through into the living room. When the time comes to undertake the actual work, a man will sketch out a broad plan on a piece of paper to explain to the builder – or indeed an actual architect – just what he wants. The builder might look perplexed, but the sketcher will be confident that his design makes perfect sense.

The same man may indeed resent the builder a little; sure that, if he only had the time, he could probably do a decent chunk of the construction work himself too. A quick brick-laying course is surely all it would take to hone the innate skills.