Hawthorn Dene

Start: Park at the North end of Hawthorn village. Grid ref. NZ 42376 45942. where there is parking on the curb, beside some picnic benches.

(S/E) From the parking walk in an Easterly direction along the road to a red brick bungalow on the right, just before a fork in the road.

(1) Take the right hand fork, which is a track. Pass through a gap beside the metal gate and follow the track which curves in a Southerly direction. Do not take the minor path on the right where the track crosses a stream but continue to an obvious information panel for Hawthorn Dene.

(2) At the sign turn right off the track and onto a footpath. This path is easy to follow and there are occasional wooden marker posts along the way. The path undulates and there are wooden steps and in some places chicken wire covered wooden 'board walks'. The path drops to join the stream and then climbs again to join a path.

(3) Turn right and follow the path with woodland on the right and the field (Old Plantation) on the left. It passes through woodland and emerges onto the nature reserve (Hawthorn Meadows). This meadow is managed as a site of special scientific interest. Walk to the obvious junction of paths in the middle of the meadow.

(4) Turn right and follow the path back gently downhill and into woodland, passing through a gate. The path descends to cross a bridge over the stream beside some impressive limestone crags with the train viaduct ahead and above. The path then climbs again to join the Durham Heritage Coastal Path, take the left hand fork and climb some stone steps to pass under the railway viaduct. You will then descend a little a view point at the top of the old lime kilns from where there are good views to the sea and also back up the dene.

(5) From the top of the lime kilns follow the path down to pass beside the base of the kilns. (One is still intact but the others have collapsed). The path descends to the coast, there are usually stepping stones across the stream to give you access to the beach. Take some time to explore the beach and the old WW2 pill box then walk along the beach to the bottom of some wooden steps leading back up the bank.

(6) Take the path and wooden steps uphill, these will lead you to the railway where there is a wooden gate and red/green lights to tell you if it is safe to cross or not (see photo).

(7) Read the info sign and cross if the light is green. On the other side of the track turn immediately right and follow the path parallel to the railway line fence. On the left is some woodland, this was the site of Hawthorn Towers. At an obvious gate turn left and follow the path to emerge at a junction with the path leading up from the meadow. Pass between two marker posts and follow the path through the woods.

In spring this section is known for the abundance of snowdrops. Walk past the remains of an old quarry on the right and up to a field with an electric fence (take care it is usually switched on). Over the fields to the right you will see the tower at Kinley Hill. The path leads back to waypoint (1) and the the parking (S/E)

Start: Park at the North end of Hawthorn village. Grid ref. NZ 42376 45942. where there is parking on the curb, beside some picnic benches.

Note : There is a lot to see on this short walk and it is child friendly, particularly if you want to spend some time on the beach.

Terrain & Alternatives: The section from (2) to (3) is very muddy in the winter and early spring, particularly if there has been a lot of rain. The wooden steps and boards can be slippery so take care if doing it in these conditions.

An alternative is to keep following the farm track at point (2) as it turns easterly. This will bring you to point (3).

Similarly, the last section beside the electric fence can be muddy too. An alternative to this is as follows. After passing beside the old quarries and as the path curves the right and rises towards the field and electric fence, there is a junction in the path. Turn left and walk to the farm track between (2) and (3). Then turn right and follow the track back past (2)

The beach is a great place to dig in the sand and stones and make channels or dams for the stream water. You can also find sea glass on the shingle beach. The WW2 pill box is worth looking at but it is often used as a camp for the local youth so take care with discarded beer cans.

Spring is the best time to see the snowdrops but this can be muddy. Fortunately the best displays lie between the meadow and the field with the electric fence so you can access this without the mud by following the alternative directions given above.

The magnesian limestone meadows are a species rich home for rare flora including orchids. To the north of the meadows is the site of Hawthorn Towers which was the home of the Pemberton family. The house was discarded and later demolished in 1969; all that remains is the old private railway platform.