Seaham to South Hetton - Durham Round Trail

Start: Tommy World War One Solider Statue, opposite 22 North Terrace, Seaham SR7 7EU.

(S) With Tommy behind you, turn left and walk past the Byron Place on your right and the outer harbour on your left, walk south to the traffic lights. Cross the road and turn right towards the Asda supermarket. At the next traffic lights, turn left into Foundry Road and then right into Ropery Walk by the school. Continue walking southwest down Ropery Walk.

(1) As you approach the bridge, take the footpath to your right which slopes up away from the road and under the railway bridge. As you emerge from the second bridge, continue into Cottages Road still walking in a southwest direction. This is known as Swine Lodge Bank.

(2) When you reach the corner where Cottages Road becomes King Edward Road, stay on the same direction and continue on the footpath. This will enter a cutting and go underneath Queen Alexandra Road. As you continue you will pass the golf club on your left. Continue up Stony Cut Bank.

(3) At the end of Ash Crescent there is a footpath to the right and a basketball court, ignore this and continue walking southeast on the same path along Stony Cut. The next section is called Hesleden Bank.

(4) When the path begins to level out you will see a junction of the paths with another crossing it from the road. Keep left and follow the path to the A182. Continue walking southwest crossing both roundabouts, take care as there are slip roads to the A19 with a lot of traffic. After the second roundabout, turn right. To your left you will see a cycle path sign for South Hetton, take this path. To your right you should see Dalton Park retail park. You can divert here for refreshments returning to the cycle path to continue the walk.

(5) When you reach a wider track crossing the path, continue ahead until you reach the Jade Business Park, turn left to the roundabout and then right past the buildings. Turn right at the end of the buildings and take the footpath for 150m. The path then turns left (southwest) again

Check the current situation as the Jade Business Park is being expanded and there may be diversions or deviations in the cycle path. Alternatively, at the second roundabout, continue straight ahead along the road.

(6) After 300m you will reach a track junction continue straight across still on the southwest direction following the paved cycle path..

(7) After 400m the track will start to bend around to the right, continue on the paved cycle path which will emerge onto Front Street by the Grey Horse Shop.

Transport: There is a public car park right next to the Tommy statue and along further along the sea front in Seaham. To return to Seaham, either take the X1 towards Newcastle changing in Houghton-le-Spring onto the 71 to Seaham. Alternatively take the X1 towards Middlesbrough, changing at Peterlee onto the X6 or 60 to Seaham. A further option is to park in Peterlee and take a single bus to Seaham and then a single bus back to Peterlee at the end of the walk.

Alternatively, you could consider following the alternative route back to Seaham for an extended walk.

Facilities: There are plenty of cafes along the seafront at Seaham opposite the Tommy Statue. The Fox and Tree, Dalton-le-Dale serves food and there are many cafes, restuarants and public toilets in Dalton Park. Public toilets are located on Front Street in South Hetton, turn right at the Grey House Shop.

Accessibiity: This walk is accessible as it is along paved footpaths and cycle paths for the entire duration.

• Tommy World War One Soldier Statue - Ray Lonsdale sculpture to commemorate the centenary of the First World War
• Dalton Park - Shopping and leisure complex with plenty of restaurants and cafes.