Seaham Guide
Sea glass, cliff walks and a proud harbour
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Seaham is a seaside town in County Durham, in the United Kingdom, and it sits on a rugged, unspoilt stretch of the Durham coast. It lies about 10 km south of Sunderland and 21 km east of Durham, so it works as an easy escape from either. Expect pebble-crunching beaches and fresh sea air.
Head down to the harbour strip and you find a clifftop promenade with Terrace Green, the marina and the beaches just below. Cafés, bistros and a sweet shop line the front, which gives the town a slightly continental feel. At the marina, sea-view cafés sell ice cream while yachts bob in the water.
Art gives the seafront its signature. A life-size First World War soldier called Tommy, made by local artist Ray Lonsdale, stands on the front. A statue of the 6th Marquess watches from the forecourt of the former Londonderry Offices, and Victorian lights trace the sea front in the evening.
The beaches are the real draw. The north beach has sea-washed sand, rock pools and a long sea wall, while Seaham Beach is popular for sea glass, the leftovers of Victorian and Edwardian bottleworks. Blast Beach, close to the reclaimed colliery site, even served as the opening scene of Alien 3 in 1992.
If you want to be active, the options are generous. The Connecting the Coast path from Nose's Point is an accessible cliff walk of about 1 h 10 min one way. Cyclists can follow the North Sea Cycle Route for 35 km to Hurworth Burn Reservoir, and paddlers can book SUP sessions with Adventure Access for up to 2 h on calm marina water.
Rainy hours are easy to fill too. Seaham Hall runs the Serenity Spa with a salt sauna, a heated pool and outdoor hot tubs, and the 100-year-old Sunderland Empire nearby hosts touring shows such as War Horse and Wicked. Bargain hunters can head to Dalton Park for up to 70% off designer brands, with a wildlife park just across the road.
From Byron's wedding to a coal harbour: Seaham's past
Seaham grew from a small village near St Mary's Church into a busy coal port, and its harbour, old pits and grand estate buildings still tell that story today. The parish church, St Mary the Virgin, has a nave that some experts believe may date from the 7th century, which makes it one of the oldest churches in the county. It stands near the Seaham Hall estate, where Lord Byron married Annebella Milbank on 2 January 1815. The Town Council offers a short free video about Byron's links with the town if you want some background before you walk up. Everything changed in 1821, when the Milbanke estate was sold to the 3rd Marquess of Londonderry. He built the harbour in 1828, and it was officially opened in 1905 with a series of interconnecting locks rather than the usual two walls. A 58-ft lighthouse once stood on Red Acre Point, erected in 1835. The Londonderry Institute on Tempest Road, built between 1853 and 1855, still shows the Marquess's original vision, and the former Londonderry Offices on the sea front once ran his businesses. Industry followed the harbour. The Londonderry Bottleworks, built in 1853, was the largest glass bottle works in Britain and operated until 1921, which explains the sea glass on today's beaches. Dawdon Colliery stood at Nose's Point from 1907 to 1991, and all three local pits closed by 1992. Seaham Colliery lost over 160 lives in an explosion in 1880, and the lifeboat George Elmy foundered on 17 November 1962, which is why the coast road carries its name. Film fans can pick up the trail further afield. Blackhall Rocks beach, down the coast, hosted the final scene of Get Carter in 1971, and the 2000 film Billy Elliot highlighted the town's mining history. Start at the sea front, walk to the Londonderry buildings first, and finish at Nose's Point for the best view back over the harbour.
Fish and chips by the harbour, scones in the hall
Eating in Seaham is relaxed and sea-facing, with fish and chips at the harbour, cafés along Terrace Green and a proper afternoon tea at Seaham Hall for a treat. Start with the classic. Bells Fish Shop near the harbour serves locally and sustainably sourced fillets cooked in beef dripping. Order a takeaway and eat it outside, because watching the yachts bob in the harbour is half the pleasure. It is a simple plan, and a good way to settle in after the first walk along the front. Next, explore the strip itself. Cafés, bistros, a sweet shop and more fish and chips line Terrace Green, and the marina adds sea-view cafés and ice cream. Together with the bars and restaurants along the front, they give the waterfront a continental atmosphere that is at its best when you simply wander and pick whatever looks inviting. For something more special, head to Seaham Hall. Breakfast there comes with eggs Benedict and croissants, while the afternoon tea arrives on elegant cake stands with loose-leaf tea, mighty scones with lashings of cream and a glass of fizz. Pair it with a spa visit, or book it after a morning on the clifftops so you arrive with a proper appetite.
Reaching Seaham by road, rail and bus along the coast
Seaham sits on the Durham coast about 10 km south of Sunderland and 21 km east of Durham, which makes it simple to reach by road and straightforward by public transport. By car, the A19 is the main road to Seaham, and signs direct traffic from it towards the town. That makes the drive easy from either side. Once you arrive, pay-and-display parking is available at the Nose's Point car park, a good starting point for the cliff walks. Another car park sits at the north end of the town on the B1287, beside Seaham Hall Beach. If you prefer the train, Seaham railway station lies about 3 km from the Nose's Point car park, so plan for a short bus, taxi or walk to reach the cliffs. Bus routes also serve the Durham coast, but timetables change, so check the Durham County Council listings for current services before you set out. A good approach is to travel into Sunderland or Durham first, then make the short hop to the coast. Doing so lets you combine Seaham with a theatre night at the Sunderland Empire, and it keeps the final stretch of the journey short and easy once you are on the move.
Walking, cycling and buses around Seaham's clifftops
Seaham is best explored on foot, with the harbour promenade, Terrace Green, the marina and the beaches all close together and easy to link into one relaxed loop. For a longer stroll, take the cliff walk from Nose's Point, which is especially lovely at sunset. The Connecting the Coast path is an all-access route of about 1 h 10 min one way, with a firm surface and gradients no steeper than about six degrees. Beyond it, the unsurfaced King Charles III England Coast Path continues, but it can become muddy in wet weather, so keep it for drier days. Two wheels work well here. The National Cycle Network Route 1 passes through Seaham, and the North Sea Cycle Route runs 35 km between the town and Hurworth Burn Reservoir on smooth, traffic-free surfaces with views of the coast and the countryside. For longer hops, rely on local buses. Routes serve the Durham coast, so check the Durham County Council listings for current services and plan around them. Taxis are an easy backup if the weather turns, and viewpoints such as Seaham Hall, St Mary the Virgin, Nose's Point and the port reward the short climb with wide views over the water.
Pounds, cards and signal: money matters in Seaham
Money in Seaham works as it does elsewhere in England: you pay in pounds sterling, and most cafés, shops and attractions are used to card payments. Carry a little cash for small purchases anyway, such as ice cream at the marina or a takeaway by the harbour, and use a cash machine in town when you need to top up. Many of the best things here cost nothing at all. Walking the promenade, hunting for sea glass and strolling the cliff paths are free, and so is the short video about Byron from the Town Council. Treats are where the budget goes. Spa days at Seaham Hall, SUP sessions with Adventure Access and a round at Sharpley Golf Course are paid activities, so book them ahead and compare options before you commit. For shopping, Dalton Park offers up to 70% off on designer brands such as Calvin Klein, Adidas, Dune London and Tommy Hilfiger, which is a good place to spend a rainy afternoon. For connectivity, check your mobile roaming plan before you leave home and download maps for the cliff paths in advance. Cafés and hotels along the front are the easiest places to find wifi, and the Seaham Town Council website lists local amenities and events if you need up-to-date details.
Practical tips and answers before you visit Seaham
A few small decisions make a trip to Seaham smoother, mainly about footwear, tides and what to do if the weather turns grey. What should I wear for the cliff walks? Sturdy shoes are the safest choice. The Connecting the Coast path is firm, but the unsurfaced King Charles III England Coast Path can become muddy in wet weather. When is the best time to look for sea glass? Check the tide tables first, because they affect the width of the beach at Seaham Hall Beach and what the sea leaves behind. Beaches with remnants of the old bottleworks reward a slow, careful search. Is the coast walk suitable for all abilities? Yes, the Connecting the Coast path from Nose's Point is a firm, all-access route with gradients no steeper than about six degrees, and it takes around 1 h 10 min one way. What can I do if it rains? Plan an indoor day with the Serenity Spa at Seaham Hall, a show at the Sunderland Empire, or a shopping trip to Dalton Park. Where can I find local news and events? The Seaham Town Council website provides information about local amenities and events, so look there before you travel.
FAQ
What is covered in the Seaham guide?
Discover Seaham in County Durham: sea glass beaches, a Victorian harbour, cliff walks and spa days. Plan your coast trip with our local-style guide. It includes 1 recommendations across 1 gallery.
Next →How many places are in the Seaham guide?
The Seaham guide lists 1 places: 1 gallery.
Next →Where is Seaham?
Seaham is in County Durham, United Kingdom (54.8372, -1.3356).
Next →How do you get to Seaham?
Seaham sits on the Durham coast about 10 km south of Sunderland and 21 km east of Durham, which makes it simple to reach by road and straightforward by public transport. By car, the A19 is the main road to Seaham, and signs direct traffic from it towards the town. That makes the drive easy from either side. Once yo…
Next →What should you eat in Seaham?
Eating in Seaham is relaxed and sea-facing, with fish and chips at the harbour, cafés along Terrace Green and a proper afternoon tea at Seaham Hall for a treat. Start with the classic. Bells Fish Shop near the harbour serves locally and sustainably sourced fillets cooked in beef dripping. Order a takeaway and eat i…
Next →Is there camping in Seaham?
No camping listings in this pack yet — we do not invent venues. Entries will appear once verified.
Next →Can you rent a bike in Seaham?
No bike rental listings in this pack yet. Verified shops will be added when available.
Next →What are recommended gallery in Seaham?
Highlighted gallery in the Seaham guide: Outer harbour beach, Seaham.
Next →Highlighted places
- Outer harbour beach, Seaham — Seaham harbour on the Durham Heritage Coast.
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Outer harbour beach, Seaham
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