England Coast Path - Seaton Sluice to St Mary's Lighthouse

This section of the England Coast Path is deliberately short so that a visit to Seaton Delaval Hall can be included as well as a visit to St Mary's Lighthouse (tides permitting). The route passes the villages of Seaton Sluice, Hartley and Old Hartley along cliff tops.

This walk is part of a multi-day hike: England Coast Path - North East Section South Bents to Amble

Technical sheet

17608429
A Seaton Valley walk posted on 02/12/21 by sarahhcfe. Last update : 14/08/22
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.09 km
  • ◔
    Calculated time: 0h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: No
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 7 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 18 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 18 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 0 m
  • ⚐
    District: Seaton Valley 
  • ⚑
    Start: N 55.086486° / W 1.480087°
  • ⚑
    End: N 55.070903° / W 1.450285°

  • Today’s forecast: … Loading…

Description

(S) From the southern end of Fountain Head car park, follow the new path which continues along the dunes for a short time before joining the main footpath along Links road (A193).
Continue along the roadside footpath.

(1) After crossing the bridge turn left into Collywell Bay Road opposite St Paul's Church.
Turn left opposite the Waterford Arms and walk towards the Kings Arms pub. The footbridge to your left will take you across to Rocky Island where you will find the Watch House Museum. After visiting the island, return to the Kings Arms.

Take the footpath to the right of the pub, turn right and walk along West Terrace.
At the end of West Terrace, take the footpath along Collywell Bay Road, the footpath on the left-hand side of the road is narrow so you may want to cross the road where the footpath is wider.
When you reach the bench on the left-hand side of the road, cross back across and go through the gap in the wall.'' Note there is a dangerous cliff sign here, keep to the main footpath and if you deem the path too dangerous, return to the main road footpath.

(2) Further down Collywell Bay Road you will see a gate to your left, go through the gate onto the good footpath, this will join the narrow one across the cliff tops at Crag Point.''
Follow this new footpath around the headland (you will have a good view of St Mary's Lighthouse from here), carry on past Old Hartkey caravan park to a small car park.

(3) Cross the car park and continue following the path on the opposite side.

(4) Follow this footpath, keeping the left-hand side all the way to St Mary's Lighthouse, you may have to stop at the causeway if the tide is in, turn right to the car park or to continue onto the next stage of the walk.

Waypoints

  1. S : km 0 - alt. 11 m - Seaton Sluice Car Park
  2. 1 : km 0.46 - alt. 11 m - St Paul's Church
  3. 2 : km 1.33 - alt. 13 m - Crag Point
  4. 3 : km 1.85 - alt. 8 m - Caravan Park
  5. 4 : km 2.93 - alt. 2 m - St Mary's Lighthouse Causeway
  6. E : km 3.09 - alt. 0 m - St Mary's Lighthouse

Useful Information

  • Transport: Park at either St Mary's Car Park or Seaton Sluice Car Park, the Arriva 308/Go North East 309 Newcastle to Blyth services run between the two car parks.
  • Facilities: There are toilets at both St Mary's Car Park and at Seaton Sluice Car Park. There are a number of pubs selling food along the way and Castaways Tea Shop in Collywell Bay Road.
  • Accessibility: The majority of the footpaths are either paved or hard soil/gravel, however the route can be made wholly accessible by following the footpath beside the road and taking the road to the car park at St Mary's.

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

  • Seaton Delaval Hall - Either call here before heading to the car park at Seaton Sluice or park at Seaton Sluice and walk up the A190 (approximately 1 mile) to the hall. Return to the car park afterwards.
  • Seaton Sluice Beach
  • Seaton Sluice Harbour
  • Rocky Island/Watch House Museum
  • Tower House Gallery, Collywell Bay Road.
  • St Mary's Lighthouse

Other walks in the area

For more walks, use our search engine.

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

Loading…