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Welcome to the Itinerary Planner. Use this tool to build your own journey or choose from an exciting range of specially selected tours.

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    This is Durham Blog

You are here > Home > Explore Durham > Durham Coast

Durham Coast

Tel: +44 03000 268 131

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Walking on the Durham Heritage Coast
  • Walking on the Durham Heritage Coast
  • Durham Heritage Coast
  • Durham Heritage Coast
  • The Durham Coast copyright Charlie Hedley
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About

Explore the colourful and dramatic landscape of Durham’s Heritage Coast with its beaches, rugged cliffs and imposing headlands. A truly stunning location, the Heritage Coast is recognised internationally for its rare plants and wildlife.

Follow the coastal path that runs along much of the coast leading you through a colourful mosaic of grasslands, wildflowers, flora and fauna, through areas of natural, historical and geological interest. Enjoy spectacular views along the coastline and out across the sea as the North Sea air blows away the cobwebs.

The limestone grasslands of the cliff tops are one of the UK's most protected habitats and home to unique and varied wildlife.

Inland from the coast are hidden denes containing remnants of ancient yew and ash woodland. The largest is the picturesque Castle Eden Dene, a National Nature Reserve with 550 acres of natural woodland and 12 miles of footpaths. A peaceful and tranquil place, it is home to over 450 species of plants and wild flowers, many of which are typical of ancient woodlands that date back to pre-medieval times.

Seaham is a lively harbour town on Durham’s Heritage Coast and is home to one of the oldest churches in the country and the iconic Seaham Hall Hotel, home to the award winning Serenity Spa.

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating:

4.5 of 5 stars
208 reviews
    • Excellent
      121
    • Very Good
      78
    • Average
      7
    • Poor
      1
    • Terrible
      1

    Recent Reviews:

    • davidwilliambarnes
      Blackpool, United Kingdom
      Trip Type:
      Couples
      Wild
      4 of 5 stars
      Tuesday, 22nd February 2022
      Went for a drive and a walk between Seaham and Sunderland. It was during the recent storms of Eunice and Franklyn so you could imagine how wild it was - a bracing but invigorating walk. The coastline... Read full review
    • PeterReigate
      Otley, United Kingdom
      Trip Type:
      Couples
      Wild and windswept
      4 of 5 stars
      Tuesday, 20th September 2022
      This is a beautiful part of our coastline. Wild, windy and exhillarating. The coast road runs a little inland so it is necessary to park in one of the several car parks and walk down on to the beack... Read full review
    • AJJP1
      Appleby-in-Westmorland, United Kingdom
      Trip Type:
      Solo travel
      Get Carter final scenes
      5 of 5 stars
      Tuesday, 10th January 2023
      I had a wonderful walk on Blackhall Beach this afternoon . A huge, clean beach. Hardly anyone about . Easy free parking, nice paths down onto the beach . No litter . Signs of the coal heritage of... Read full review
    Write a review
    © TripAdvisor 2023

    Opening Times

    * 2006 Opening - 03 Jan 2006 - 23 Dec 2006
    Monday: 09:00:00 - 17:00:00
    Tuesday: 09:00:00 - 17:00:00
    Wednesday: 09:00:00 - 17:00:00
    Thursday: 09:00:00 - 17:00:00
    Friday: 09:00:00 - 17:00:00
    Saturday: 09:00:00 - 17:00:00
    Sunday: 09:00:00 - 17:00:00
    BankHoliday: 09:00:00 - 17:00:00

    Map & Directions

    Map Link

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    Highlights...

    Deer in forest Castle Eden Dene National Nature Reserve, PeterleeCastle Eden Dene is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and is home to an extraordinary variety of birds, more than 450 species of plants, and some of our favourite mammals, such as roe deer and fox.

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