Great North Forest Walk Whitburn to Cleadon

This stretch of the walk does not pass through any forests, however it takes in a beautiful stretch of the North East coast, an historic lighthouse, old lime kilns, nature reserve, water tower and windmill, overlapping with Bede's Way and the England Coast Path.

This walk is part of a multi-day hike: Great North Forest Path

Technical sheet

22519668
A South Tyneside walk posted on 30/05/22 by sarahhcfe. Last update : 27/06/22
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.61 km
  • ◔
    Calculated time: 2h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: No
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 81 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 44 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 81 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 3 m
  • ⚐
    District: South Tyneside 
  • ⚑
    Start: N 54.944284° / W 1.3654°
  • ⚑
    End: N 54.96367° / W 1.407334°

  • Today’s forecast: … Loading…

Description

(S) From the car park, take the path heading in a northeast direction along the cliff tops. This will pass behind the houses and school. Follow this path around the coastline to Souter Lighthouse, following any signs for the England Coast Path (ECP).

(1) At Souter Lighthouse, take either the path around the cliff tops or the more direct one to the old car park now sealed off. The path here will bend to the left and meet the Coast Road.

(2) Cross the Coast Road and take the path leading up to the old Lime Kilns. Continue along this path (north) until you come to a path junction at the Caravan Park.

(3) Turn left (west) and follow the path along the edge of the caravan park until you reach Lizard Lane.

(4) Cross Lizard Lane and take the left (southwest) path which skirts the bottom edge of Marsden Old Quarry Local Nature Reserve which will be on your right. Whitburn Golf Club will be on your left.

Alternative route avoiding the golf course: If you do not wish to walk across the golf course, take the right path which skirts the top of Marsden Old Quarry Local Nature Reserve and exit the reserve at the White Horse Inn. Walk along Quarry Lane and then turn left into The Lonnen, then turn left into Hillside passing the nursery. At the end of Hillside continue following the path south until you reach (6).

(5) When you reach the houses there are several paths, turn right over the stile and carefully cross the golf course following the markers and staying off the green. Go through the gate and continue until you reach the access road.

(6) Turn right onto the access road, this will bend to the left and then to your right. Continue along this path (west) until you reach Sunniside Lane, then turn right (north) continuing to walk along the road.

(7) When you reach the gateway for the Cleadon Water Tower, take the path to your left (west). You will have fields on your left and houses on your right. This is part of the Bede's Way/Way of Learning. When you reach Sunderland Road, the walk ends here at The New Ship Inn (E).

Waypoints

  1. S : km 0 - alt. 9 m - Whitburn Bents Car Park.
  2. 1 : km 3.51 - alt. 16 m - Souter Lighthouse
  3. 2 : km 4.03 - alt. 27 m - Coast Road (A183)
  4. 3 : km 4.73 - alt. 38 m - Caravan Park
  5. 4 : km 5 - alt. 56 m - Lizard Lane
  6. 5 : km 5.98 - alt. 69 m - Path Junction
  7. 6 : km 6.65 - alt. 80 m - Access Road
  8. 7 : km 6.98 - alt. 68 m - Entrance to Cleadon Water Tower
  9. E : km 7.61 - alt. 46 m - New Ship Inn

Useful Information

Transport: Park at Whitburn Bents Car Park. To catch a bus back to the beginning, walk north along Sunderland Road to Harton Nook, the E6 bus stop is near Nook Cafe/Subway. Alternatively if you wish to make a circular walk, follow Bede's Way Section 4 Walk.

Facilities: There are cafes in Whitburn and at Souter Lighthouse. You can also get refreshements at The New Ship Inn at the end of the walk or Nook Cafe/Subway in Harton Nook before you catch the bus. Just down the coast from Whitburn is Seaburn with public toilets and the Stack full of eateries.

Accessibility: This walk is not fully accessible as it includes stiles and uneven dirt paths.

Accommodation: The Seaburn Inn (brand new) and the The Grand Hotel Sunderland (Marriott) are both located on the seafront at Seaburn just a short walk from the end of the walk. The Marsden Grotto pub also has rooms.

Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

During the walk or to do/see around

Other walks in the area

For more walks, use our search engine.

The GPS track and description are the property of the author.

Loading…