Hawthorn Village, between Easington and Seaham, County Durham

Hawthorn Dene

Ancient woodland

Place photograph

7.8

Wildland

1–2 hours

Time

Free

Cost

Peaceful

Feel

WoodlandValleyCoastalWalkersWildlife loversPhotographersDogs

Why it's Wildland

7.8

A steep-sided coastal dene where ancient woodland, limestone meadow and the remains of a once-grand house meet. The private railway platform that served Hawthorn Towers can still be seen.

Hawthorn Dene earns its place through contrast: mature yews and spring woodland flowers in a steep limestone ravine, species-rich meadow on the site of a demolished country house, and a dene that runs down towards the sea. It has more to reward a walk than its simple ‘woods’ label suggests.

Peaceful · Secluded · Ancient-feeling · Wild

Find your way

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Hawthorn Village, between Easington and Seaham, County Durham

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The experience

Start at the lay-bys, follow the access track through the gate and turn right onto the nature trail. Take time to notice the mature yews on the northern slopes, the limestone meadow and the traces of Hawthorn Towers. The reserve’s steep terrain and trail details are not fully specified, so check conditions before setting out.

Things to do

Walk into the dene

From the lay-bys, follow the track through the gate for about 350 metres, then turn right onto the nature trail into the wood.

Look for mature yews

The northern slopes have large numbers of mature native yew, alongside lime-loving woodland species including elm and ash.

Notice the spring woodland flowers

The woodland floor can be carpeted with snowdrops, wild garlic and wood anemone. The Wildlife Trust also notes the uncommon bird’s-nest orchid and herb-Paris.

Explore the limestone meadow

Find the species-rich magnesian limestone meadow on the site of Hawthorn Towers, once owned by the Pemberton family.

Find the old railway platform

Look for the remains of the private railway platform that served Hawthorn Towers.

Watch and listen for woodland wildlife

The reserve supports woodland birds including jay, treecreeper and great spotted woodpecker; roe deer are regularly seen.

Make a day of it

Quick escape · No visit duration published; check before visiting.

Quick escape: follow the dene nature trail

01
Park in the lay-bys at the end of the surfaced road, beside the modern bungalow.
02
Follow the track through the gate for about 350 metres.
03
Turn right onto the nature trail into the wood.
04
Look for mature yews on the northern slopes and, in spring, woodland flowers.
05
Allow time to notice the meadow and the remains of the railway platform; return by the same access route unless current trail information indicates otherwise.

Half day · Half day; no specific route duration is published.

Make a half day of it: woodland, meadow and coast

01
Explore the reserve using the Wildlife Trust’s described access and nature-trail entrance.
02
Look for the mature yews and seasonal flowers in the woodland, then visit the limestone meadow on the site of Hawthorn Towers.
03
Seek out the remains of the private railway platform.
04
If conditions and access allow, continue towards the coast; a visitor account describes the dene running down to the sea and connects it with the Durham Heritage Coastal Path.
05
Check current route, access and coastal conditions before extending the walk.

Verified history

Hawthorn Towers stood within the dene on the site of the present limestone meadow. The house was once owned by the Pemberton family, fell into disrepair and was demolished in 1969. The remains of its private railway platform can still be seen. The available source does not provide further dates or details about the family or railway.

Hidden details

The house’s railway connection — The remains of a private railway platform that served Hawthorn Towers survive in the dene—a small, tangible trace of the former house and estate.

Uncommon woodland plants — The Wildlife Trust identifies bird’s-nest orchid and herb-Paris among the uncommon species found here. Their precise locations and seasonal timing are not specified, so look without disturbing plants.

When to go

April · May · June · July · No time-of-day recommendation is published; check conditions before visiting.

Durham Wildlife Trust recommends April to July. Spring brings snowdrops, wild garlic and wood anemone, while the species-rich limestone meadow and other wildflowers add interest later in the season.

The reserve is a steep-sided ravine; no specific weather guidance or path-condition information is supplied. Check local conditions before setting out.

Worth pairing with

Durham Heritage Coastal Path

A visitor account describes reaching the coast from the dene and walking part of the Durham Heritage Coastal Path. Confirm the current route and access before planning this extension.

Noses Point, Seaham

A visitor account describes walking to Hawthorn Dene from Noses Point and joining part of the Durham Heritage Coastal Path. Treat this as an unverified route suggestion and check current directions and conditions.

What to look for

01
Mature native yews on the northern slopes
02
spring snowdrops, wild garlic and wood anemone
03
bird’s-nest orchid and herb-Paris
04
the limestone meadow on the site of Hawthorn Towers
05
and the remains of its private railway platform.

The story

Hawthorn Towers and its Pemberton family owners; remains of the house’s private railway platform.

Best time to go

April–July, the Wildlife Trust’s recommended visiting period; spring brings woodland flowers and early summer brings meadow wildflowers.

April to July is the Wildlife Trust’s recommended period. In spring, look for snowdrops, wild garlic and wood anemone; later, look for wildflowers in the meadow.

How long to spend

1–2 hours

Perfect for

Walkers · Wildlife lovers · Photographers · Dogs

Before you go

Google Maps

Google rating

4.7 · 29 reviews

Practical information

Opening & access

Durham Wildlife Trust says the reserve is open at all times. From the B1432 junction south of Cold Hesleden, follow the surfaced road east to its end and park in lay-bys beside the modern bungalow. Follow the track through the gate for about 350 metres, then turn right onto the nature trail. Dogs must be kept on a lead.

Parking

Lay-bys at the end of the surfaced road, beside a modern bungalow; follow the track through the gate for about 350 metres to the nature trail. Check locally before travelling.

Check before visiting

Toilets

Check before visiting

Food & drink

Check before visiting

Dogs

Dogs on a lead.

Accessibility

The approach includes a track and a nature trail in a steep-sided ravine. Surface, gradients and accessibility details are not specified; check before visiting.

Check before visiting

Cost

Free

Water

The dene stretches down to the sea; no swimming or water-activity permission is established.