Hawthorn Village, between Easington and Seaham, County Durham

Hawthorn Dene

Ancient woodland

Place photograph

7.7

Wildland

1–2 hours

Time

Free

Cost

Peaceful

Feel

WoodlandCoastalValleyWalkersWildlife loversPhotographersDogs

Why it's Wildland

7.7

A steep-sided coastal ravine where ancient woodland, limestone meadow and the remains of a private railway platform sit within one reserve.

Hawthorn Dene earns its place for the way it brings together a steep limestone ravine, ancient woodland, species-rich meadow and a route that reaches the coast. Look out for mature yews on the northern slopes and spring flowers on the woodland floor; this is more than a routine woodland stroll.

Peaceful · Secluded · Ancient-feeling

Find your way

Open map

Hawthorn Village, between Easington and Seaham, County Durham

Opening map…

Explore around here Get directions

Know this place a little better?

Add photos Add video Add a waypoint Improve information Report a change

The experience

Allow about an hour for a short woodland-and-meadow walk, or longer if following a route towards the coast. The supplied route account describes a 4km circuit, mainly on forest track, with 100m ascent; it also warns of steep steps without a handrail and a water hazard. Check local conditions and route details before setting out.

Things to do

Walk the dene nature trail

Enter via the track and turn right onto the nature trail into the wood, following the reserve access directions.

Check before visiting

Look for spring woodland flowers

Durham Wildlife Trust lists snowdrops, wild garlic and wood anemone on the woodland floor, as well as uncommon bird’s-nest orchid and herb-Paris.

Find the estate’s railway-platform remains

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

Follow the dene towards the sea

The reserve extends down to the sea. Confirm the route, conditions and safe access locally before attempting a coastal extension.

Make a day of it

Quick escape · About 1 hour

Quick Dene Walk

01
Park in the lay-bys at the end of the surfaced road as described by Durham Wildlife Trust.
02
Follow the track through the gate for about 350m, then turn right onto the nature trail into the wood.
03
Explore the woodland and meadow, looking for mature yews and spring flowers; be prepared for steep sections.

Half day · Allow longer than the short route; exact duration not stated

Woodland, Meadow and Estate Remains

01
Follow the dene trail through the woodland and seek out the species-rich limestone meadow.
02
Look for the remains of the private railway platform associated with Hawthorn Towers.
03
If extending the walk towards the coast, check the route and conditions first; the dene reaches the sea.

Verified history

Hawthorn Towers was once owned by the Pemberton family, later fell into disrepair and was demolished in 1969. The remains of its private railway platform can still be seen in the dene. Hawthorn Dene also contains a disused limestone quarry; a supplied walk account says Hawthorn Quarry closed in 1993.

Hidden details

The old private railway platform — Remains of the platform that served Hawthorn Towers are still present within the reserve.

Uncommon woodland flowers — The Wildlife Trust notes bird’s-nest orchid and herb-Paris among the less common species recorded at the reserve.

When to go

April · May · June · July · Not specified in the supplied sources.

Durham Wildlife Trust recommends April to July. Spring flowers are a particular draw, with uncommon species also recorded.

Expect uneven woodland paths and potentially muddy ground. The supplied walk account warns of steep steps without a handrail and a water hazard; check conditions before visiting.

The route

ascent: 100m
stiles: Check before visiting
surface: Mainly forest track, according to Fabulous North
distance: 4km (2 miles) for the route described by Fabulous North
duration: About 1 hour for that route, according to Fabulous North
difficulty: Not formally graded; includes steep sections and steps without a handrail according to the walk account
waymarking: Check before visiting
route shape: Variations are available; the supplied walk account describes a route through the north side of Haythorns Plantation and New Plantation. Exact route shape not stated.
start point: Lay-bys at the end of the surfaced road, between Easington and Seaham; follow the track through the gate for about 350m and turn right onto the nature trail.
parking start: Durham Wildlife Trust identifies lay-bys beside a modern bungalow at the end of the surfaced road. Fabulous North also describes roadside parking; check current conditions and restrictions.

Steep-sided limestone ravine
Ancient woodland and mature native yews
Species-rich limestone meadow
Remains of the private railway platform serving Hawthorn Towers
Dene extending down to the sea

Worth pairing with

Durham Heritage Coastal Path

A supplied local account describes linking a walk from Noses Point, Seaham, with part of the Heritage Coastal Path. Verify the route and access before combining it with the dene.

What to look for

Look for mature native yews on the northern slopes, spring flowers beneath the trees, the limestone meadow on the former Hawthorn Towers site, and the remains of the estate’s private railway platform.

The story

Historic Hawthorn Towers estate and its private railway platform; limestone quarrying.

Best time to go

April to July, the Wildlife Trust’s recommended visiting period; spring brings woodland flowers.

April to July is Durham Wildlife Trust’s recommended period. Spring is especially rewarding for snowdrops, wild garlic and wood anemone; the reserve’s uncommon bird’s-nest orchid and herb-Paris are also noted by the Trust.

How long to spend

1–2 hours

Perfect for

Walkers · Wildlife lovers · Photographers · Dogs

Before you go

Google Maps

Address

Unnamed Road, Seaham SR7, UK

Listed hours

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Check before visiting.

Google rating

4.8 · 32 reviews

Practical information

Opening & access

Durham Wildlife Trust says the reserve is open at all times and free to enter. From the junction with the B1432, 1km south of Cold Hesleden, continue east to the end of the surfaced road; park in lay-bys by the modern bungalow, then follow the track through the gate for about 350m to the nature trail. Paths include steep sections; check current conditions before setting out.

Check before visiting

Parking

Lay-bys at the end of the surfaced road, beside a modern bungalow; follow the signed-in-source directions through the gate. Check parking conditions before visiting.

Check before visiting

Toilets

Check before visiting

Food & drink

Check before visiting

Dogs

Dogs on a lead, according to Durham Wildlife Trust.

Accessibility

Not wheelchair accessible according to the supplied Google place data. The route includes steep sections; a walk account specifically warns of steep steps without a handrail. Check current path conditions before visiting.

Check before visiting

Cost

Free

Water

Coastal dene; it extends to the sea. No swimming permission or facilities are evidenced.