Visitors

Things To See and Do

This area provides you with information about things to see and do on the Durham Heritage Coast. More information on events on the coast is available from the events section. Click on the downloads section for leaflets and wildlife guides.

Walking

The Durham Coastal Footpath is an 11 mile walking route from Seaham in the north to Crimdon in the south. It leads through stunning clifftop scenery and links into coastal settlements with their own unique stories to tell. The area through which the Durham Coastal Footpath travels is one that has been affected by constant change, both natural and manmade. It has always been a special place for nature lovers. The geology of the area is Magnesian Limestone with boulder clay above it which supports grassland with wonderful plants and other wildlife.

Coastal Footpath V1.pdf (22 pages, 2816kb)

We can also post you a copy of this booklet - telephone 0191 383 3351 or e-mail the team heritagecoast@durham.gov.uk.

In addition, there are circular walks around coastal villages - please contact us if you would like a copy of any of the following leaflets:

• Seaham
• Thornley
• Crimdon
• Hawthorn
• Castle Eden
• Haswell to Hart
• Easington Village
• Easington Colliery
• Murton and South Hetton
• Wheatley Hill and Deaf Hill
• Dawdon and Dalton-le-Dale
• High Hesleden and Nesbitt Dene
• Hutton Henry and Hurworth Burn Reservoir

For public transport information call Traveline on 0871 2002233

Cycling

There is an extensive cycle route through the Heritage Coast that not only forms part of the national cycle route but also the North Sea Cycle route. The Easington Cycleways guide is available in the downloads section . See also North Sea Cycle route website.

The area is bounded by the North Sea on one side into which a number of remarkable and picturesque denes make their way. The traffic free linear route which forms its inland perimeter is a clear north/south corridor route linking Ryhope at its northern end with the village of Hart to the south. These are routes 1 & 14 of the National Cycle Route and key connections between Teeside and Wearside while northward it continues into Tyneside.

Nature

See the 'Environment' section for more information.
There are several good viewing points of interest for bird watchers, particularly during the autumn migration. These include Dawdon Blast Beach, Castle Eden Denemouth, Blackhall Rocks and Crimdon Dene. Two of the most significant species of bird are the little tern and the purple sandpiper INCA website link.

Little terns breed in Britain in internationally important numbers (see environment area). The colony at Crimdon is nationally important. Little terns breed late May to August nesting in the sand. They are especially vulnerable to disturbance at this time. In winter the birds migrate to West Africa.

Image Credit Stewart Sexton

The purple sandpiper is a rare wading bird that gathers along the coast in winter feeding on the rocky shores and roosting on the harbour wall at Seaham. In summer they migrate back to the arctic to breed and raise their young. Other shore birds are eider, fulmars, kittiwakes and oystercatchers.