4 1 3 5 as a as today seen be can reef The east. the to water deeper cliffs and coastline. and cliffs

direction, separating a shallow lagoon to the west from from west the to lagoon shallow a separating direction, continue to wear away the land further altering the dramatic dramatic the altering further land the away wear to continue

A reef formed a barrier running roughly in a north-south north-south a in roughly running barrier a formed reef A for shaping the landscape you see today. Rivers and seas seas and Rivers today. see you landscape the shaping for

The action of the ice and meltwater were largely responsible responsible largely were meltwater and ice the of action The

times, causing the Zechstein Sea to periodically dry up. dry periodically to Sea Zechstein the causing times,

North Sea. The ice finally melted about 15,000 years ago. ago. years 15,000 about melted finally ice The Sea. North

following 50 million years the sea level rose and fell several several fell and rose level sea the years million 50 following

sheets up to 1km thick covered County Durham and the the and Durham County covered thick 1km to up sheets

shallow inland sea, known as the Zechstein Sea. Over the the Over Sea. Zechstein the as known sea, inland shallow

colder periods (‘ice ages’) and warmer periods. At times, ice ice times, At periods. warmer and ages’) (‘ice periods colder

water from the surrounding ocean flooded it to create a a create to it flooded ocean surrounding the from water

Over the last 2.5 million years the climate alternated between between alternated climate the years million 2.5 last the Over

295 million years ago, at the start of the Permian Period, Period, Permian the of start the at ago, years million 295

A large part of the desert lay beneath sea level and around around and level sea beneath lay desert the of part large A 2 the area for building stone. building for area the

‘missing’ rocks have been quarried elsewhere and brought into into brought and elsewhere quarried been have rocks ‘missing’

5 quarried today for building sand. building for today quarried

been removed by the work of rivers and seas. Some of these these of Some seas. and rivers of work the by removed been

dunes. The remains of these dunes, the ‘Yellow Sands’, are are Sands’, ‘Yellow the dunes, these of remains The dunes.

geology of the area during that time as any rocks formed have have formed rocks any as time that during area the of geology

drier. This area became a barren desert covered by sand sand by covered desert barren a became area This drier.

reached where it is today. We do not have any record of the the of record any have not do We today. is it where reached

north of the equator and the climate became hotter and and hotter became climate the and equator the of north

This area continued to drift north for 250 million years until it it until years million 250 for north drift to continued area This

About 300 million years ago the land moved slowly further further slowly moved land the ago years million 300 About

1 4 above them to collapse. to them above

south, but in this area they have dissolved, causing the rocks rocks the causing dissolved, have they area this in but south,

million years ago! years million

Thick salt deposits still exist deep beneath the surface further further surface the beneath deep exist still deposits salt Thick

creatures living here over 200 over here living creatures

Salt minerals known as evaporites built up on the sea floor. floor. sea the on up built evaporites as known minerals Salt

fossilised shells – the remains of remains the – shells fossilised

caused the sea water to evaporate, making it much saltier. much it making evaporate, to water sea the caused rock where you can see these these see can you where rock

harbour, look for this bed of bed this for look harbour, During periods of falling sea level, the hot arid climate climate arid hot the level, sea falling of periods During

In the same exposed cliff at the the at cliff exposed same the In

the Carboniferous Period Carboniferous the

seams – a tropical swamp in in swamp tropical a – seams cone-shaped bryozoans. cone-shaped

The roots of Durham’s coal coal Durham’s of roots The sea creatures such as such creatures sea

reef and a close-up showing close-up a and reef

1 4 seen in places. in seen

The Magnesian Limestone Magnesian The

mining has gone, it can still be be still can it gone, has mining

Although most evidence of coal coal of evidence most Although

Magnesian Limestone Plateau in the 19th and 20th centuries. centuries. 20th and 19th the in Plateau Limestone Magnesian

to form coal seams. The coal was mined deep beneath the the beneath deep mined was coal The seams. coal form to

entually the peat hardened hardened peat the entually Ev mud. and sand of layers under

fossilised algae algae fossilised

plants built up as a layer of peat, which was then buried buried then was which peat, of layer a as up built plants Not a concretion, but a a but concretion, a Not

lying tropical swamps covered the land. Dead trees and other other and trees Dead land. the covered swamps tropical lying Calcinema permiana Calcinema Below: Below:

was part of a large continent that lay across the equator. Low Low equator. the across lay that continent large a of part was

Zechstein Sea Zechstein the size of medium potatoes medium of size the

310 million years ago, in the Carboniferous Period, this area area this Period, Carboniferous the in ago, years million 310

the ones shown here are about are here shown ones the

Lagoon

These vary enormously in scale – scale in enormously vary These

seeing a particular geological feature. geological particular a seeing

Reef

Canonball concretions Canonball Below left: left: Below The numbers in circles show which walk is best for for best is walk which show circles in numbers The

Introducing the geology of East Durham East of geology the Introducing a bit like fossilised coral fossilised like bit a

So named because they look they because named So

‘Coralline’ concretions ‘Coralline’

Left: Left:

many processes that shaped the landscape you see today. see you landscape the shaped that processes many

In places fossilised shells can still be seen in the rock. the in seen be still can shells fossilised places In

Just some of the unusual rock textures to look out for: out look to textures rock unusual the of some Just Together the walks offer a fascinating overview of the the of overview fascinating a offer walks the Together

sea floor. It is this limy mud that eventually became limestone. limestone. became eventually that mud limy this is It floor. sea

the structure of the limestones over a long period of time. of period long a over limestones the of structure the natural habitats and the lives of local people. people. local of lives the and habitats natural of shell and skeletal remains built up as lime-rich mud on the the on mud lime-rich as up built remains skeletal and shell of

complex chemical reactions and erosion that have changed changed have that erosion and reactions chemical complex and find out how the geology has influenced the area’s area’s the influenced has geology the how out find and variety of animals lived on and within the reef. Tiny fragments fragments Tiny reef. the within and on lived animals of variety

rocks at Seaham harbour. Some of these are the result of of result the are these of Some harbour. Seaham at rocks to explore East Durham, South Tyneside and Sunderland Sunderland and Tyneside South Durham, East explore to this walk) and Tunstall Hills near Sunderland. A large large A Sunderland. near Hills Tunstall and walk) this 3

You can see a variety of shapes and patterns in the exposed exposed the in patterns and shapes of variety a see can You This walk is one of five self-guided trails that help you you help that trails self-guided five of one is walk This number of hills in the area, including Beacon Hill (visited on on (visited Hill Beacon including area, the in hills of number

A walk on the Magnesian Limestone plateau Limestone Magnesian the on walk A Curious concretions Curious

The Limestone Landscapes Partnership is working with many different After your walk, try and find time to visit people to conserve the landscape, wildlife and rich heritage of the A Magnesian Limestone Geotrail. Walk 4 Seaham itself. As well as enjoying a coffee and Magnesian Limestone and to enable communities to learn about, enjoy a cake at one of the local cafes be sure to seek and celebrate their local area. out some unusual rocks down at the harbour. This walk is one of five we have produced which introduce the unique geology of the Magnesian Limestone Plateau. 1 Marsden cliffs and Souter Park in town or down at the harbour next to the north 2 Sunderland City Geotrail and Mowbray Park sensory trail Cliffs, caves and pier. Worth seeing here are exposures of Magnesian Limestone beds with many types of concretions, The 3 Tunstall Hills Waterside information centre and cafe, a fine row of 4 Nose’s Point, Seaham limekilns and the restored lifeboat house. 5 Coxhoe curious rocks South Shields NEWCASTLE- P Concretionary UPON-TYNE limestone North pier 1 A 4-mile walk from Nose’s Point along part North Terrace of the England Coast Path in County Durham P Concretionary SUNDERLAND A1(M A1231 limestone The Waterside ) 2 Washington Area of Magnesian A690 3 Limestone Plateau Chester- A19 Lifeboat Limekilns le-Street Seaham house Marina Houghton- 4 P le-Spring

A1 82 P DURHAM A182 Peterlee

A690 (M) A181 A1

A167 5 Byron Place HARTLEPOOL Shopping Dock Centre to Nose’s Point & start of walk Bishop Auckland Sedgefield A

19

Bedded down Newton Aycliffe Limestones of different origin, chemical make up and age are A 68 Billingham found in many places on our planet. The Magnesian Limestone here in Durham contains shapes and textures that are unique in Please report any issues with paths on this route on 03000 265342 Europe and perhaps in the world. or email [email protected]. For more information on the Durham Heritage Coast call 03000 The lime-rich mud from which the rock was formed built up in 268131 or email [email protected]. Much of the land layers on an ancient sea floor. Geologists call these layers ‘beds’. along this route is owned by the National Trust, a charity working to You can see some of these beds in the horizontal layers in the preserve and protect the Durham coast and other special places – cliff. Some of the beds have been affected by chemical changes forever, for everyone. To find out more visit forming ‘concretions’ www.nationaltrust.org.uk/durhamcoast This project has been coordinated by Groundwork NE & Cumbria; (see over flap). Changing Places, Changing Lives – one green step at a time. Find out more at www.groundwork.org.uk/northeast or follow us on Facebook and Twitter. We would like to thank Durham County Council, Durham Wildlife Trust, East Durham Heritage Group and the National Trust for their support.

Design and production © Marcus Byron. Additional geological information and advice David Lawrence and Elizabeth Pickett. Illustrations © Elizabeth Pickett. Making a positive difference to the unique All maps © Crown copyright 2014. All rights reserved. Licence number 100042893. environment of the Magnesian Limestone area

4 1 3 5 as a as today seen be can reef The east. the to water deeper cliffs and coastline. and cliffs

direction, separating a shallow lagoon to the west from from west the to lagoon shallow a separating direction, continue to wear away the land further altering the dramatic dramatic the altering further land the away wear to continue

A reef formed a barrier running roughly in a north-south north-south a in roughly running barrier a formed reef A for shaping the landscape you see today. Rivers and seas seas and Rivers today. see you landscape the shaping for

The action of the ice and meltwater were largely responsible responsible largely were meltwater and ice the of action The

times, causing the Zechstein Sea to periodically dry up. dry periodically to Sea Zechstein the causing times,

North Sea. The ice finally melted about 15,000 years ago. ago. years 15,000 about melted finally ice The Sea. North

following 50 million years the sea level rose and fell several several fell and rose level sea the years million 50 following

sheets up to 1km thick covered County Durham and the the and Durham County covered thick 1km to up sheets

shallow inland sea, known as the Zechstein Sea. Over the the Over Sea. Zechstein the as known sea, inland shallow

colder periods (‘ice ages’) and warmer periods. At times, ice ice times, At periods. warmer and ages’) (‘ice periods colder

water from the surrounding ocean flooded it to create a a create to it flooded ocean surrounding the from water

Over the last 2.5 million years the climate alternated between between alternated climate the years million 2.5 last the Over

295 million years ago, at the start of the Permian Period, Period, Permian the of start the at ago, years million 295

A large part of the desert lay beneath sea level and around around and level sea beneath lay desert the of part large A 2 the area for building stone. building for area the

‘missing’ rocks have been quarried elsewhere and brought into into brought and elsewhere quarried been have rocks ‘missing’

5 quarried today for building sand. building for today quarried

been removed by the work of rivers and seas. Some of these these of Some seas. and rivers of work the by removed been

dunes. The remains of these dunes, the ‘Yellow Sands’, are are Sands’, ‘Yellow the dunes, these of remains The dunes.

geology of the area during that time as any rocks formed have have formed rocks any as time that during area the of geology

drier. This area became a barren desert covered by sand sand by covered desert barren a became area This drier.

reached where it is today. We do not have any record of the the of record any have not do We today. is it where reached

north of the equator and the climate became hotter and and hotter became climate the and equator the of north

This area continued to drift north for 250 million years until it it until years million 250 for north drift to continued area This

About 300 million years ago the land moved slowly further further slowly moved land the ago years million 300 About

1 4 above them to collapse. to them above

south, but in this area they have dissolved, causing the rocks rocks the causing dissolved, have they area this in but south,

million years ago! years million

Thick salt deposits still exist deep beneath the surface further further surface the beneath deep exist still deposits salt Thick

creatures living here over 200 over here living creatures

Salt minerals known as evaporites built up on the sea floor. floor. sea the on up built evaporites as known minerals Salt

fossilised shells – the remains of remains the – shells fossilised

caused the sea water to evaporate, making it much saltier. much it making evaporate, to water sea the caused rock where you can see these these see can you where rock

harbour, look for this bed of bed this for look harbour, During periods of falling sea level, the hot arid climate climate arid hot the level, sea falling of periods During

In the same exposed cliff at the the at cliff exposed same the In

the Carboniferous Period Carboniferous the

seams – a tropical swamp in in swamp tropical a – seams cone-shaped bryozoans. cone-shaped

The roots of Durham’s coal coal Durham’s of roots The sea creatures such as such creatures sea

reef and a close-up showing close-up a and reef

1 4 seen in places. in seen

The Magnesian Limestone Magnesian The

mining has gone, it can still be be still can it gone, has mining

Although most evidence of coal coal of evidence most Although

Magnesian Limestone Plateau in the 19th and 20th centuries. centuries. 20th and 19th the in Plateau Limestone Magnesian

to form coal seams. The coal was mined deep beneath the the beneath deep mined was coal The seams. coal form to

under layers of sand and mud. Ev mud. and sand of layers under entually the peat hardened hardened peat the entually

fossilised algae algae fossilised

plants built up as a layer of peat, which was then buried buried then was which peat, of layer a as up built plants Not a concretion, but a a but concretion, a Not

lying tropical swamps covered the land. Dead trees and other other and trees Dead land. the covered swamps tropical lying Calcinema permiana Calcinema Below: Below:

was part of a large continent that lay across the equator. Low Low equator. the across lay that continent large a of part was

Zechstein Sea Zechstein the size of medium potatoes medium of size the

310 million years ago, in the Carboniferous Period, this area area this Period, Carboniferous the in ago, years million 310

the ones shown here are about are here shown ones the

Lagoon

These vary enormously in scale – scale in enormously vary These

seeing a particular geological feature. geological particular a seeing

Reef

Canonball concretions Canonball Below left: left: Below The numbers in circles show which walk is best for for best is walk which show circles in numbers The

Introducing the geology of East Durham East of geology the Introducing a bit like fossilised coral fossilised like bit a

So named because they look they because named So

‘Coralline’ concretions ‘Coralline’

Left: Left:

many processes that shaped the landscape you see today. see you landscape the shaped that processes many

In places fossilised shells can still be seen in the rock. the in seen be still can shells fossilised places In

Just some of the unusual rock textures to look out for: out look to textures rock unusual the of some Just Together the walks offer a fascinating overview of the the of overview fascinating a offer walks the Together

sea floor. It is this limy mud that eventually became limestone. limestone. became eventually that mud limy this is It floor. sea

the structure of the limestones over a long period of time. of period long a over limestones the of structure the natural habitats and the lives of local people. people. local of lives the and habitats natural of shell and skeletal remains built up as lime-rich mud on the the on mud lime-rich as up built remains skeletal and shell of

complex chemical reactions and erosion that have changed changed have that erosion and reactions chemical complex and find out how the geology has influenced the area’s area’s the influenced has geology the how out find and variety of animals lived on and within the reef. Tiny fragments fragments Tiny reef. the within and on lived animals of variety

rocks at Seaham harbour. Some of these are the result of of result the are these of Some harbour. Seaham at rocks to explore East Durham, South Tyneside and Sunderland Sunderland and Tyneside South Durham, East explore to this walk) and Tunstall Hills near Sunderland. A large large A Sunderland. near Hills Tunstall and walk) this 3

You can see a variety of shapes and patterns in the exposed exposed the in patterns and shapes of variety a see can You This walk is one of five self-guided trails that help you you help that trails self-guided five of one is walk This number of hills in the area, including Beacon Hill (visited on on (visited Hill Beacon including area, the in hills of number

A walk on the Magnesian Limestone plateau Limestone Magnesian the on walk A Curious concretions Curious

The Limestone Landscapes Partnership is working with many different After your walk, try and find time to visit people to conserve the landscape, wildlife and rich heritage of the A Magnesian Limestone Geotrail. Walk 4 Seaham itself. As well as enjoying a coffee and Magnesian Limestone and to enable communities to learn about, enjoy a cake at one of the local cafes be sure to seek and celebrate their local area. out some unusual rocks down at the harbour. This walk is one of five we have produced which introduce the unique geology of the Magnesian Limestone Plateau. 1 Marsden cliffs and Souter Park in town or down at the harbour next to the north 2 Sunderland City Geotrail and Mowbray Park sensory trail Cliffs, caves and pier. Worth seeing here are exposures of Magnesian Limestone beds with many types of concretions, The 3 Tunstall Hills Waterside information centre and cafe, a fine row of 4 Nose’s Point, Seaham limekilns and the restored lifeboat house. 5 Coxhoe curious rocks South Shields NEWCASTLE- P Concretionary UPON-TYNE limestone North pier 1 A 4-mile walk from Nose’s Point along part North Terrace of the England Coast Path in County Durham P Concretionary SUNDERLAND A1(M A1231 limestone The Waterside ) 2 Washington Area of Magnesian A690 3 Limestone Plateau Chester- A19 Lifeboat Limekilns le-Street Seaham house Marina Houghton- 4 P le-Spring

A1 82 P DURHAM A182 Peterlee

A690 (M) A181 A1

A167 5 Byron Place HARTLEPOOL Shopping Dock Centre to Nose’s Point & start of walk Bishop Auckland Sedgefield A

19

Bedded down Newton Aycliffe Limestones of different origin, chemical make up and age are A 68 Billingham found in many places on our planet. The Magnesian Limestone here in Durham contains shapes and textures that are unique in Please report any issues with paths on this route on 03000 265342 Europe and perhaps in the world. or email [email protected]. For more information on the Durham Heritage Coast call 03000 The lime-rich mud from which the rock was formed built up in 268131 or email [email protected]. Much of the land layers on an ancient sea floor. Geologists call these layers ‘beds’. along this route is owned by the National Trust, a charity working to You can see some of these beds in the horizontal layers in the preserve and protect the Durham coast and other special places – cliff. Some of the beds have been affected by chemical changes forever, for everyone. To find out more visit forming ‘concretions’ www.nationaltrust.org.uk/durhamcoast This project has been coordinated by Groundwork NE & Cumbria; (see over flap). Changing Places, Changing Lives – one green step at a time. Find out more at www.groundwork.org.uk/northeast or follow us on Facebook and Twitter. We would like to thank Durham County Council, Durham Wildlife Trust, East Durham Heritage Group and the National Trust for their support.

Design and production © Marcus Byron. Additional geological information and advice David Lawrence and Elizabeth Pickett. Illustrations © Elizabeth Pickett. Making a positive difference to the unique All maps © Crown copyright 2014. All rights reserved. Licence number 100042893. environment of the Magnesian Limestone area Walk information Directions Exploring the England Coast Path from Nose’s 1 Take the path leading away from the far end of the car the viaduct. Keep left uphill. park. Join main coast path, keep right then soon after turn left Point near Seaham 4 miles/6km 5 Turn left at path junction, heading back towards and then and follow path down to cross bridge over drain. Keep left on back under viaduct. Follow path right and through wicket gate. The coastal pathis fairly even and level. The path onto Blast coastal path, through metal wicket gate (National Trust sign). Beach and the inland section are steep and rough in places. Bear left to follow grassy path near to cliff edge. 6 After another metal wicket gate, look for stile on right over There are steep steps down to Hawthorn Hive and a stream 2 You come to a small pond. At the far side there is an railway. Take care as you cross the railway to a flight of to cross. If the tide is high or there has been heavy rain, optional detour down a stone-stepped path to Blast Beach. concrete steps. Climb the steps, cross a stile and up onto an * . consider the alternative route at in point 3 Please take Back on route, keep left to continue along grassy clifftop path. open field. care near the cliff edge and when crossing the railway. 7 As path levels out look for stile in fence. Over stile turn Children should be accompanied at all times. 3 As the path turns inland you rejoin main surfaced path. Turn left to walk through short wooded section next to railway. Out right through wicket gate onto fell. Walk half right across to Keep dogs under close control; preferably on a lead. Please of trees look for stile over railway on right (to avoid the trig point. From trig aim half left towards fence which you pick up after your dog – there are waste bins at Nose’s Point. * beach section, look and listen for trains before crossing follow down to the bottom of the field and a wooden wicket You may encounter livestock on the route. railway , then follow instructions on map below). On gate. Through gate follow the path as it bears right. P Nose’s Point GR NZ436 478 the opposite side of the path to the stile are steps down to 8 You come back to the path junction you were at earlier. Hawthorn Hive. Take care as the steps are very steep and Route 202 Seaham – Peterlee. Nearest stop to walk start: Turn left down steps. Cross bridge and up steps on other side. can be slippery. Dawdon Business Park www.simplygo.com Pass through metal squeeze stile out to meadow. Follow path up to interpretation panel. Through the hedge turn sharp Several cafes in Seaham and the marina 4 On beach turn right. Cross stream where it is safe to do so – it is sometimes narrower nearer the sea. Turn right and right following path towards railway. The path turns left and The Waterside at the marina and Byron Place Shopping follow stream back inland towards the viaduct, soon picking up follows railway to a bridge. Turn right to cross bridge. Over Centre (1 mile) a path. The path turns left uphill then right, to go under bridge turn left and follow path back to start.

a Spoils of industry Seaham 1 mile f A view from a hill Dawdon Nose’s Point was a hive of industry for over a century, with a Chemical 0 1km Here at Beacon Hill you are on top of the great reef (see bottleworks factory established in 1855, an ironworks in introduction). On a clear day you can enjoy fine views in all 1862, a chemical works built in 1865 and finally a colliery, N directions. To the south are the Cleveland Hills, made up of which ceased production in 1991. The huge blast furnaces of Beach Jurassic rocks that are younger than the Magnesian Limestone. the ironworks gave the beach its name. Look for Roseberry Topping, a distinctive cone-shaped hill. The spoil that came out of the colliery was tipped over the cliffs onto the beach. Waves gradually washed away most of Industrial the waste, leaving the terrace you see in the image below. estate P Action from the sea continues to erode and change this Nose’s Point strange coastal landscape. 1

*Route avoiding climb down to Hawthorn Hive The view south from Beacon Hill Blast Beach After crossing railway bear left and through squeeze stile into woods. Go down g steps to bridge and up steps Hawthorn Dene on other side. Turn right This deep gorge, typical of many on the Durham Coast, formed when the ice melted about 15,000 years ago. The a and pick up instructions at 5 above. land surface gradually began to rise when the great weight of the ice was removed from it. At the same time large volumes 2 Colliery spoil on Blast Beach of water were released and powerful rivers cut down into the b rising land to form deep gullies. b Keeping a look out h Lime lovers In 1940 a network of defences was hastily built all over the The special soils on the Magnesian Limestone support a British Isles to help the fight against an anticipated German community of plants which in turn attracts a wide variety of invasion. The most common of these defences were called wildlife. Durham Wildlife Trust manages the Nature Reserve ‘pillboxes’. Named after their squat shape, these concrete here at Hawthorn Dene. The grass is cut just once, late in the forts were sited at road junctions, canals and other strategic Hawthorn i summer, which gives the plants a chance to release their points, including coastal locations such as here. Over Quarry 3 seeds and so keep the cycle going (in some areas over 40 28,000 pillboxes were built across Britain, of which fewer different lime-loving plants have been recorded within a than 6,000 survive. There is another example on the beach square metre). at Hawthorn Hive. h * 4 Hawthorn Hive c Limestone at work Hawthorn Dene 5 This is one of a few 18th century pot kilns found across the g c Magnesian Limestone. Crushed limestone was burnt in kilns Burn 8 d to produce quicklime, which was mixed with water to make thorn ‘slaked’ lime. This was used in agriculture to neutralise acid soils and in the building industry to make lime Haw mortar, which was the main bonding agent before the harder, faster setting Beacon Portland cement was introduced Hill in the late 19th century. At the f north dock in Seaham is a row 6 Shippersea Bay e of well-preserved limekilns Dyer’s Greenweed thrives Small copper butterfly here in the meadow and Photo ©www.northeastwildlife.co.uk where you can find out more 7 about this once vital industry. is an important food plant for moths Photo © Eric Dale

e Left high and dry i Hawthorn Quarry Limestone is used in the production of iron as a flux (which Below you at point 6 is an important local geological feature helps the metal ore melt and flow). Hawthorn Quarry was known as the Easington Raised Beach. This is an area of gravel on The limekiln at Hawthorn Hive before restoration developed as the iron works at Dawdon expanded in the the side of the cliff about 30 metres above the present beach. It is 19th and 20th centuries. The quarry, currently inactive, is d there because after the last ice age, when the huge weight of the Caves in the cliffs now partially designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest ice sheet was removed, the land rose relative to sea level. Dating You can see caves of varying sizes in the Magnesian and is considered to be of national importance for its of shells from the gravel suggest the raised beach is between Limestone cliffs above you. They were probably formed when exposures of Magnesian Limestone. 200,000 and 240,000 years old. the sea level was higher than it is today. Wave action created these caves in broken and weaker areas of the limestone. Take care near the cliff edge, which drops steeply and can be slippery, especially after wet weather. Limestone cave in Hawthorn Dene You are here!

Exposed sections of raised beach Magnesian Limestone cliffs

Colliery waste Hawthorn Quarry in the 1950s Reproduced by permission of Durham County Record Office Walk information Directions Exploring the England Coast Path from Nose’s 1 Take the path leading away from the far end of the car the viaduct. Keep left uphill. park. Join main coast path, keep right then soon after turn left Point near Seaham 4 miles/6km 5 Turn left at path junction, heading back towards and then and follow path down to cross bridge over drain. Keep left on back under viaduct. Follow path right and through wicket gate. The coastal pathis fairly even and level. The path onto Blast coastal path, through metal wicket gate (National Trust sign). Beach and the inland section are steep and rough in places. Bear left to follow grassy path near to cliff edge. 6 After another metal wicket gate, look for stile on right over There are steep steps down to Hawthorn Hive and a stream 2 You come to a small pond. At the far side there is an railway. Take care as you cross the railway to a flight of to cross. If the tide is high or there has been heavy rain, optional detour down a stone-stepped path to Blast Beach. concrete steps. Climb the steps, cross a stile and up onto an * . consider the alternative route at in point 3 Please take Back on route, keep left to continue along grassy clifftop path. open field. care near the cliff edge and when crossing the railway. 7 As path levels out look for stile in fence. Over stile turn Children should be accompanied at all times. 3 As the path turns inland you rejoin main surfaced path. Turn left to walk through short wooded section next to railway. Out right through wicket gate onto fell. Walk half right across to Keep dogs under close control; preferably on a lead. Please of trees look for stile over railway on right (to avoid the trig point. From trig aim half left towards fence which you pick up after your dog – there are waste bins at Nose’s Point. * beach section, look and listen for trains before crossing follow down to the bottom of the field and a wooden wicket You may encounter livestock on the route. railway , then follow instructions on map below). On gate. Through gate follow the path as it bears right. P Nose’s Point GR NZ436 478 the opposite side of the path to the stile are steps down to 8 You come back to the path junction you were at earlier. Hawthorn Hive. Take care as the steps are very steep and Route 202 Seaham – Peterlee. Nearest stop to walk start: Turn left down steps. Cross bridge and up steps on other side. can be slippery. Dawdon Business Park www.simplygo.com Pass through metal squeeze stile out to meadow. Follow path up to interpretation panel. Through the hedge turn sharp Several cafes in Seaham and the marina 4 On beach turn right. Cross stream where it is safe to do so – it is sometimes narrower nearer the sea. Turn right and right following path towards railway. The path turns left and The Waterside at the marina and Byron Place Shopping follow stream back inland towards the viaduct, soon picking up follows railway to a bridge. Turn right to cross bridge. Over Centre (1 mile) a path. The path turns left uphill then right, to go under bridge turn left and follow path back to start.

a Spoils of industry Seaham 1 mile f A view from a hill Dawdon Nose’s Point was a hive of industry for over a century, with a Chemical 0 1km Here at Beacon Hill you are on top of the great reef (see bottleworks factory established in 1855, an ironworks in introduction). On a clear day you can enjoy fine views in all 1862, a chemical works built in 1865 and finally a colliery, N directions. To the south are the Cleveland Hills, made up of which ceased production in 1991. The huge blast furnaces of Beach Jurassic rocks that are younger than the Magnesian Limestone. the ironworks gave the beach its name. Look for Roseberry Topping, a distinctive cone-shaped hill. The spoil that came out of the colliery was tipped over the cliffs onto the beach. Waves gradually washed away most of Industrial the waste, leaving the terrace you see in the image below. estate P Action from the sea continues to erode and change this Nose’s Point strange coastal landscape. 1

*Route avoiding climb down to Hawthorn Hive The view south from Beacon Hill Blast Beach After crossing railway bear left and through squeeze stile into woods. Go down g steps to bridge and up steps Hawthorn Dene on other side. Turn right This deep gorge, typical of many on the Durham Coast, formed when the ice melted about 15,000 years ago. The a and pick up instructions at 5 above. land surface gradually began to rise when the great weight of the ice was removed from it. At the same time large volumes 2 Colliery spoil on Blast Beach of water were released and powerful rivers cut down into the b rising land to form deep gullies. b Keeping a look out h Lime lovers In 1940 a network of defences was hastily built all over the The special soils on the Magnesian Limestone support a British Isles to help the fight against an anticipated German community of plants which in turn attracts a wide variety of invasion. The most common of these defences were called wildlife. Durham Wildlife Trust manages the Nature Reserve ‘pillboxes’. Named after their squat shape, these concrete here at Hawthorn Dene. The grass is cut just once, late in the forts were sited at road junctions, canals and other strategic Hawthorn i summer, which gives the plants a chance to release their points, including coastal locations such as here. Over Quarry 3 seeds and so keep the cycle going (in some areas over 40 28,000 pillboxes were built across Britain, of which fewer different lime-loving plants have been recorded within a than 6,000 survive. There is another example on the beach square metre). at Hawthorn Hive. h * 4 Hawthorn Hive c Limestone at work Hawthorn Dene 5 This is one of a few 18th century pot kilns found across the g c Magnesian Limestone. Crushed limestone was burnt in kilns Burn 8 d to produce quicklime, which was mixed with water to make thorn ‘slaked’ lime. This was used in agriculture to neutralise acid soils and in the building industry to make lime Haw mortar, which was the main bonding agent before the harder, faster setting Beacon Portland cement was introduced Hill in the late 19th century. At the f north dock in Seaham is a row 6 Shippersea Bay e of well-preserved limekilns Dyer’s Greenweed thrives Small copper butterfly here in the meadow and Photo ©www.northeastwildlife.co.uk where you can find out more 7 about this once vital industry. is an important food plant for moths Photo © Eric Dale

e Left high and dry i Hawthorn Quarry Limestone is used in the production of iron as a flux (which Below you at point 6 is an important local geological feature helps the metal ore melt and flow). Hawthorn Quarry was known as the Easington Raised Beach. This is an area of gravel on The limekiln at Hawthorn Hive before restoration developed as the iron works at Dawdon expanded in the the side of the cliff about 30 metres above the present beach. It is 19th and 20th centuries. The quarry, currently inactive, is d there because after the last ice age, when the huge weight of the Caves in the cliffs now partially designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest ice sheet was removed, the land rose relative to sea level. Dating You can see caves of varying sizes in the Magnesian and is considered to be of national importance for its of shells from the gravel suggest the raised beach is between Limestone cliffs above you. They were probably formed when exposures of Magnesian Limestone. 200,000 and 240,000 years old. the sea level was higher than it is today. Wave action created these caves in broken and weaker areas of the limestone. Take care near the cliff edge, which drops steeply and can be slippery, especially after wet weather. Limestone cave in Hawthorn Dene You are here!

Exposed sections of raised beach Magnesian Limestone cliffs

Colliery waste Hawthorn Quarry in the 1950s Reproduced by permission of Durham County Record Office