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Durham Coast
County Durham's coastline has evolved from its industrial past to become a haven for wildlife
Nose's Point Car Park, East Cliff Road, Seaham, County Durham, SR7 7PS
Opening times for 13 July 2025
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Pay and display parking at Nose's Point car park (Seaham, SR7 7PS). Free parking at Easington Colliery car park (SR8 3QW), Fox Holes Dene (SR8 3RJ) and near Horden at Lime Kiln Gill car park (SR8 4HN). None are National Trust
- Dogs allowed
Please keep dogs on leads around livestock and be aware of cliff edges
Accessible paths from Easington Colliery, Fox Holes Dene and Lime Kiln Gill car parks. Diverse, uneven, steep terrain elsewhere.
- Accessible route and/or map
Wheelchair accessible paths available from Easington Colliery, Fox Holes Dene and Lime Kiln Gill car parks
- Steps/uneven terrain
Cliff top paths have uneven surfaces and steep gradients in places. Beaches are accessed via steep steps
Nose's Point car park - what3words: ///overdone.supple.mysteries
- By road
From the A19 follow signs for Horden, Easingham or Seaham
- By train
Seaham 2 miles
- By bus
Numerous bus routes service the Durham Coast area. See Durham County Council website for details:
- Cycling
The National Cycle Network Route 1 passes through Seaham. See Sustrans website for more details:
Nose's Point Car Park, East Cliff Road, Seaham, County Durham, SR7 7PS
Planning your visit
Article
Visiting the Durham Coast with your dog
Find out all you need to know about exploring the Durham Coast with your canine companion, along with guidance to help ensure everyone enjoys their visit. Durham Coast is a three pawprint rated place.
Highlights
Coast
Rocky headlands, sheltered bays, wildflower-rich grasslands and wooded valleys between Seaham and Horden, linked by the England Coast Path.
Beaches
Detour from clifftop paths to explore rockpools, skim stones and paddle in the waves. On the calmest days, look out for porpoises and dolphins swimming by.
Woodlands
Steep-sided wooded valleys, known as gills or denes and characteristic of the coastline, are great for exploring and wildlife spotting.
Wildflowers
An outcrop of magnesian limestone means the Durham Coast is home to rare plants, such as the bloody cranesbill, dyer’s greenweed and devil’s-bit scabious.
Things to see and do
Article
Things to do on the Durham Coast
Spot the rare Durham brown argus butterfly, stroll the England Coast Path, and explore beaches and wooded denes along a once-polluted stretch of coastline, now beautifully restored.
Upcoming events
Event
Guided walk: Summer in Hawthorn Dene
A ramble around Hawthorn Dene enjoying the sights and sounds of summer.
About Durham Coast
Durham Coast is a wonderful place for walkers and for those who want to enjoy the scenery from the cliff top paths.
The magnesian limestone that underlies this area has given rise to a spectacular landscape of cream-coloured cliffs intersected by steep-sided wooded valleys, or gills.
In summer the coastal grasslands are awash with rare and colourful wild flowers, which provide habitat to some very special wildlife such as the iconic Durham Brown Argus butterfly.
Our work
Article
Creating Tina’s Haven nature reserve
Discover the story behind Tina’s Haven, a new coastal nature reserve with community at its heart in Horden, East Durham.
Project
Project
Restoring wildflower meadows on the Durham Coast
Learn how we've been working on a project to reintroduce wildflower meadows on the Durham Coast to restore and conserve the landscape for the area's unique wildlife.
Support us
Volunteer with us
Search for live volunteering opportunities, or register your interest with Durham Coast.