Geology

Heritage Coast status marks the Durham coastline as being one of the finest coastlines in England.

With dramatic views along the coastline and out across the North Sea, it has unique qualities which come from its underlying geology, its natural vegetation and the influences of the sea. It is a wonderfully varied coastline of shallow bays and headlands with yellow limestone cliffs up to 30 metres high with occasional caves and stacks; the coastal slopes being home to a fabulous array of wild flowers. The subheadings below tell you a little more about the environment of the Durham Coast; including magnesian limestone grasslands, coastal gills, sand dunes, rocky shores and kelp beds.

Limestone landscapes

To find out more about the geodiversity of the coast please go to http://www.limestonelandscapes.info/Pages/geodiversity.aspx