English Coastal Path
Seaham to Easington Colliery and return
Co Durham
Distance 14km Climb 275m
Wednesday 12 June 2019
I have walked along here a few times now, you can follow this link to another walk I did along here. The weather was so different that day, have a look just to compare it. This is part of the walk that was voted number 93 on ITV's Britain's Favourite Walks.
There had been a severe weather warning about possible floods due to heavy rain and winds that were expected. We always had the option of returning to the transport at any time if things became too bad. As it happened four hardy souls, Ali, Les, Steve stepped out with me today, this was our first ramble and we would be looking at this becoming a regular thing.
Leaving the transport at the Nose's Point carpark we headed south along the English Coast Path (ECP). Last time I was here I could see a number of ships out at sea at anchor. Today we would be lucky to see as far as the cliffs edge. The path runs along the cliff tops to Nose's Point, where there are a number of information boards.
We followed the path right heading slightly inland around a little cove. Looking down we could see the waves crashing against the cliffs at the far end of Blast Beach. Dropping a little to cross a narrow metal bridge the path rises again into the National Trust area. Passing between empty gate posts the path leads beside a fence above the area of Blast Beach.
Reaching the path that leads down through Frenchman's Cove onto Blast Beach we decided to go and have a look. Large stones pave the way down, and a little way down we were in the relative shelter of the leeward side of the Cove.
One of the information boards at Nose's Point explains that due to the industrial damage made to the Beach in the past it was used as a set on the film of Aliens 3. In places you can see why.
Returning to the ECP we continued southwards. Within a few 100 meters the path is running by the Sunderland - Middlesbrough railway line. On reaching a bridge over the railway we ignoring the path that turns right over the bridge, and continued along a rough path straight ahead, still walking by the eastern side of the railway line. A little way along this path there was a little bit of shelter from the rain when we passed under some trees. Then the area opens up again.
Looking below to our left we could see Hawthorn Hive.
Re-tracing our steps a little we used the style and crossing point to take us over the railway line. Following the path west through an open meadow for a few meters then turning left, south onto the track that leads down to Hawthorn Dene.
On entering the Dene we pass between solid stone walls and into the shelter of the trees.
Before dropping down to a narrow bridge over Hawthorn Burn.
A gentle climb up from the bridge and we had a short break in an old hollowed out shelter. Imagine what this had been used for?
After our short break we continued upwards to the next path junction where we turned left to walk under the bridge just to have a look down onto Hawthorn Hive.
After a few photos we returned to the path junction and continued left, very quickly we were back into the open. A sharp left turn and we continued on the level for a few meters.
The path drops a little, back under another arch on the bridge, taking us back under the railway line.
A short climb and we were again following the eastern side of the
fence that runs by the railway line. After a few hundred meters we come to a style on our left. I cant resist crossing the railway line to have a look up Beacon Hill. Crossing over the railway line we had a walk up Beacon Hill.
Up the other side there is a short climb. The path reaches a fence where we stopped to have a look at the long horned cattle, like those cattle you see on the old westerns. Normally the views from here are good. On clear days you can see north to Sunderland and south to Hartlepool, not today though.
After looking at the long horned cattle and young bulls we headed back down hill towards the ECP and crossed the railway line.
Back on the ECP, we turned left onto a grass path that took us around the cliff tops by a large field to the south of Shippersea Bay. As the path follows the coast it turns south between high hedges which gave a little shelter, then it was back into the open.
From the grass track Les had spotted a large tower across the fields to our right. To be honest I had not noticed this before on my previous walks along here. I was probably too busy looking out to sea. To day there was nothing to see out to sea. We decided to take a look on our return journey. The path soon joins a tarmac track that came
from our right, we continued left. We were now in an area called Fox Holes.
After lunch we headed back.
At the junction with the grass path, instead of returning the way we came we continued along the tarmac path, west. We were going to take a look at the tower. The tarmac path turns under another railway bridge into another part of Easington Colliery. Instead of turning under this bridge we continued along the path that runs on the eastward side of the railway line.
After approx. 800m the footpath led us over a railway bridge and we were just below the tower. As we approached we could see it was the lift cage used to transport miners up and down the deep mine shafts. Although it is appears to be a memorial to the mining in the area, on returning home I have not been able to find out any information about the feature.
We walked along a path west that was taking us in a direction we did not want to go. Turning round we returned to the bridge over the railway and found a footpath that took us in the direction we wanted to go. This led us to the path we had previously been on which ran on the eastern side of the railway line.
Passing the style and footpath up Beacon Hill we continued northwards on the ECP. It was then turn left under the arch. The rain had eased a little.
Through the arch the path levels a little.
Before taking a right turn, back into Hawthorn Dene. On the way down the bank we pass the remains of an old building which is now just ivy covered broken brick walls.
We followed the path left, down some steep steps. and continued passed the small hollowed out shelter we had stopped earlier, Down onto the narrow footbridge that took us over Hawthorn Burn.
Leaving the Dene and entering the open meadow instead of turning right to cross the railway line at the style as we did on our way out. We turned left and continued up a rise following the ECP. Passing close to the entrance to the quarry. This path took us up to the bridge we had ignored on our route out. Turning right we crossed the bridge.
Then turned left following the path on the eastward side of the railway line. We were now on the same route as our outward journey.
After passing Frenchman's Cove I walked to the cliff edge to take one last
look onto Blast Beach.
We then continued along the ECP back to the transport. Looking down towards where the Seaham Pier and lighthouse was I could hardly see them through the mist.
Although the weather had not been perfect it had been a good day and I had enjoyed it. I hope Ali, Les and Steve had enjoyed it. We had covered 14km with 275m climb, in what could be described at the least, as very wet conditions.
I am already looking forward to our next ramble.
More to follow
Boz North
Details correct at time of walking.
Details correct at time of walking.
If you have enjoyed reading my walk or found it useful you may also like to read other walks I have done on The English Coastal Path or other areas. Please check out the links on the right hand side.
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