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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
206 reviews
    • Excellent
      120
    • Very Good
      77
    • Average
      7
    • Poor
      1
    • Terrible
      1

    Recent Reviews:

    • Michael N
      Cheadle Hulme, United Kingdom
      Nice to see the changes over time
      4 of 5 stars
      Tuesday, 7th September 2021
      Motored up the coastline from Crimdon Dene to Seaham visiting various beaches that used to be unusable due to all the coal waste deposited in the area. Over the last 20+ years since the last mine... Read full review
    • Dr_Waugh
      Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
      Trip Type:
      Family
      Beautiful part of the world
      5 of 5 stars
      Thursday, 20th January 2022
      A lovely visit here taking in two of the beaches. Blast beach to the south of Seaham harbour and Seaham north beach or Seaham Hall beach to the north. Both interesting and stunning in their own... Read full review
    • 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
    Write a review
    © TripAdvisor 2022

    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

    View Map

    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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