England Coast Path - Ryhope to Seaham
This walk is part of the trek England Coast Path - North East Section Durham, Hartlepool and Sunderland.
This section starts along the cliff tops at Ryhope and then drops down to Ryhope Dene eventually arriving at Seaham Hall Beach. The section then continues along Seaham Promenade to the National Trust managed land at Noses Point. This walk gives a good contrast between the rugged cliff tops and traditional seaside town.
Technical sheet No. 17582575
Calculated time: 1h55[?] 
Distance : 6.59 km
Vertical gain : 22 m
Vertical drop : 34 m
Highest point : 34 m
Lowest point : 9 m 
Difficulty : Easy
Back to starting point : No
Walking
Location : Tyne and Wear
Starting point : N 54.868628° / W 1.356795° 
Ending point : N 54.826637° / W 1.323518° 
Today's forecast :
Description
(D) From The Green, follow the B1287 towards Seaham. At the end of the houses on the left, turn down the side road and walk through the tunnel under the A1018 (St. Nazaire Way) and railway line, you are now on the England Coast Path/Durham Heritage Coast Path at Halliwell Banks.
(1) Take the right-hand path and follow this to the cliff tops, it will then take a sharp right-hand turn.
Follow the path along the cliff tops until you reach the mouth of Ryhope Dene. The path will take a sharp right here, follow the path to the B1287.
(2) Turn left onto the B1287 for a short time and then take the path to the left, there is a sign for Ryhope Dene here, go down the steps.
The path follows the contours of the field back to the cliff tops, then bears right again along the cliffs.
Continue walking along the cliff tops until you reach Seaham Hall Beach Car Park. Turn right and walk up to the car park, following the footpath to the road.
(4) Then turn left and walk down to the promenade. Alternatively, when you reach the car park, walk down the steps to the beach, at the bottom turn right and walk along the beach for a short distance to the promenade.
Walk along the promenade passing the Glass Beach to Seaham Beach.
(5) Before you reach the end of the promenade, you will need to take the steps back up to the road. Turn left onto the main road footpath (North Road). Continue along here passing the memorial plaque.
(6) Turn left after the buildings on the left (Black Truffle Coffee Shop). Follow the footpath around the car park. Stop here to admire 'Tommy' a sculpture of a soldier.
The footpath will turn right to rejoin the road, then turn left onto North Terrace. After the former Londonderry Offices, cross straight the roundabout.
Continue along the A182, passing the Byron Place shopping center and Asda on your right. There will be a good view of the harbor down to your left.
(7) Continue along the A182, there are factory units on your right until you reach the sign for Noses Point. Bear left into the Noses Point Car Park. (A)
Waypoints :
D : km 0 - alt. 34 m - The Green, Ryhope
1 : km 0.15 - alt. 28 m - Tunnel Under Railway
2 : km 1.91 - alt. 32 m - Steps on B1287
3 : km 3.29 - alt. 18 m - Seaham Hall Beach Car Park
4 : km 3.5 - alt. 13 m - B1287 North Road
5 : km 4.52 - alt. 10 m - Steps from Promenade to the Road
6 : km 4.86 - alt. 22 m - Black Truffle Coffee Shop
7 : km 6.48 - alt. 24 m - Noses Point Junction
A : km 6.59 - alt. 27 m - Noses Point Car Park
Useful Information
- Transport: both The Green (Ryhope) and Noses Point (Dawdon) are linked via the Go North East Drifter 60 service (Dawdon to Sunderland) which runs several times an hour. There is no public parking at Ryhope so leave the car at Noses Point and take the bus to the start of the walk. There is also a train station in Seaham connecting Sunderland and Hartlepool.
- Accessibility: The first part of this walk is not accessible, it includes grass footpaths and steps. It is possible to follow the B1287 from Ryhope, however there are some steep inclines as you reach Seaham Hall. There is no access to the beach for wheelchair users. However there is good access from the Vane Tempest Car Park through the town to finish point.
- Refreshments: There are no cafes or toilet facilities between Ryhope and Seaham Hall car park. There are toilets (not always open) at Seaham Hall car park as well as a picnic area, but there are many cafes in Seaham itself and a large Asda in Byron place too.
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
During the walk or to do/see around
Sea views along the cliffs at Ryhope
Searching for sea glass on Seaham beach.
Tommy, WWI Soldier sculpture at Seaham
Lickety Split Ice Cream Parlour, Seaham
Seaham Harbour and Pier
Red Acre Point and Seaham Life Boat Centre
Noses Point and Chemical Beach (Dawdon)
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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.
