Wagonway walk at Seaton Delaval Hall
This gentle trail starts from Seaton Delaval Hall and takes in much of the wider estate, incorporating local points of interest and historical facts about the Delaval family. Part of the route follows a centuries-old wagonway that was used to carry the coal from the local mines to Seaton Sluice, where it would be loaded onto waiting ships for export. Stop by the old harbour to get an idea of this industrial history, and look out for other landmarks, including the remains of Starlight Castle (a folly built on a wager) and the Mausoleum.
Total steps: 8
Total steps: 8
Start point
Seaton Delaval Hall main gates, grid ref: NZ321766
Step 1
Leave Seaton Delaval Hall by the main gates, turn left on the footpath and follow the estate wall around the bend as far as the gates to the grounds of the Church of Our Lady and its secluded graveyard. Retrace your steps back to the main road and turn left to walk up the Avenue towards Seaton Delaval.
Step 2
Turn left at the first junction (signposted 'Public Bridleway Holywell Dene') into Harbord Terrace. Go to the end of the lane, round the metal gate, and straight ahead between fields then through a kissing gate beside a metal gate and onwards. To the left you can see the obelisk (which is on private farmland and is not accessible). The fields are named after the Dairy House Farm and Pit, which used to be located in the hummocky area with several gorse bushes just before the next metal gate with a wooden bypass to its left.
Step 3
Wiggle through the bypass and turn left along the wide grassy footpath, a wagonway that was in use by 1778.
Step 4
Climb over the stile at the iron gate and continue straight on until you come to some steep steps descending to the left. Go down the steps, over a stile, and down another flight of steps to the bottom of Holywell Dene.
Step 5
Turn right and cross the Seaton Burn using the wooden bridge, then turn immediately left on the path, keeping the burn on your left-hand side. On the left are the remains of Starlight Castle. After a short distance further, on the left-hand side of the burn, are two 18th-century cottages and the site of Seaton Lodge.
Step 6
Continue around the burn and pass under the road bridge, pause and then contemplate the scene in front of you.
Step 7
Retrace your steps. Do not go under the road bridge, but instead turn right and down the short flight of steps to cross over the metal footbridge. Then turn left to pass under the road bridge and bear right to reach the street of bungalows (Seaburn Grove). Bear right in front of the bungalows.
Step 8
At the roundabout, turn left and stay on the footpath all the way back to the Hall. You will then reach your original starting point at the main gates of the hall.
End point
Seaton Delaval Hall main gates, grid ref: NZ321766
Trail map
More near here
Holywell Dene and Old Hartley walk
An easy self-guided walk taking in the points of interest around Holywell Dene and Old Hartley, including the history of the local area and Seaton Delaval Hall.
Holywell and Sluice walk at Seaton Delaval Hall
Explore Seaton Delaval Hall's estate on a circular walk in Northumberland, and discover a Norman church, a ruined castle, a nature reserve and Sluice Harbour.
Get in touch
The Avenue, Seaton Sluice, Northumberland, NE26 4QR
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