Hawthorn village, near Seaham, County Durham
Hawthorn Dene Nature Reserve
Mixed-habitat reserve
Place photograph
7.5
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Free
Cost
Peaceful
Feel
Why it's Wildland
7.5A steep coastal ravine where ancient woodland, limestone meadow and the remnants of a vanished country house sit within one reserve.
Hawthorn Dene earns its place through unusual variety in a compact coastal setting: mature yew on the ravine slopes, spring flowers, species-rich limestone meadow and traces of the demolished Hawthorn Towers estate. The dene runs down to the sea, giving a woodland visit a distinctly coastal edge.
Peaceful · Secluded · Ancient-feeling
Find your way
Open mapHawthorn village, near Seaham, County Durham
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The experience
Allow about an hour for a short woodland-and-meadow visit, or longer to explore more of the dene. The reserve’s character comes from its steep limestone ravine, ancient woodland, seasonal flowers and surviving traces of Hawthorn Towers.
Things to do
Walk the woodland nature trail
Enter via the track from the end of the surfaced road and explore the steep-sided dene on the marked nature-trail access described by Durham Wildlife Trust.
About 1 hour for the described short walk
Look for spring woodland flowers
Durham Wildlife Trust notes snowdrops, wild garlic and wood anemone on the woodland floor, with uncommon bird’s-nest orchid and herb-Paris also recorded at the reserve.
Find the traces of Hawthorn Towers
The meadow lies on the site of Hawthorn Towers, and remains of the private railway platform that served the house can still be seen.
Watch and listen for woodland wildlife
The reserve supports woodland birds including jay, treecreeper and great spotted woodpecker; roe deer are regularly seen, though sightings are not assured.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · About 1 hour
Quick Escape: woodland and meadow
- 01
Use the roadside lay-bys at the end of the surfaced road described by Durham Wildlife Trust.
- 02
Follow the track through the gate for about 350 metres and turn right onto the nature trail.
- 03
Explore the woodland and limestone meadow, looking for seasonal flowers and mature yew.
- 04
Return by the same access route.
Half day · Half day
Make a Half Day of It: ravine to coast
- 01
Start with the Durham Wildlife Trust access route and explore the woodland and meadow.
- 02
Continue towards the coastal end of the dene only if paths and conditions allow; the reserve description says the dene stretches down to the sea.
- 03
For a longer outing, consider the independently described walk from Noses Point along part of the Durham Heritage Coastal Path, checking its route and conditions before setting out.
Verified history
Hawthorn Towers once stood within the reserve and was owned by the Pemberton family. The house fell into disrepair and was demolished in 1969. Durham Wildlife Trust says remains of its private railway platform can still be seen.
Hidden details
The railway platform in the dene — Look for the surviving remains of the private railway platform that served Hawthorn Towers.
Mature yew on the northern slopes — Durham Wildlife Trust notes large numbers of mature native yew on the dene’s northern slopes.
When to go
April · May · June · July · Check conditions and choose a time that allows for the steep terrain and the walk in from the lay-bys; no specific time of day is established by the supplied sources.
Durham Wildlife Trust recommends April to July. This period includes the spring woodland flowers and later-season wildflowers noted for the reserve.
The dene is steep-sided. Check current path conditions before visiting, particularly after wet weather.
The route
- ascent
- 100 m
- surface
- Mainly forest track, according to Fabulous North.
- distance
- 4 km (2 miles) for the route described by Fabulous North; this is not confirmed as the reserve’s official trail.
- duration
- About 1 hour for the Fabulous North route
- difficulty
- Not formally graded; the route source warns of steep steps without a handrail and a water hazard.
- start point
- Roadside parking near the end of the surfaced road; use the Durham Wildlife Trust access instructions and verify the exact start before setting out.
- parking start
- Lay-bys at the end of the surfaced road, as described by Durham Wildlife Trust.
- Steep-sided limestone dene
- Ancient woodland and mature yew
- Species-rich limestone meadow
- Remains of the railway platform associated with Hawthorn Towers
Worth pairing with
Noses Point and the Durham Heritage Coastal Path
A local visitor account describes walking from Noses Point towards Hawthorn Dene along part of the Durham Heritage Coastal Path, with coastal views. Treat this as a separately planned outing and check the route before setting off.
What to look for
Look for mature native yew on the northern slopes, spring flowers on the woodland floor, the species-rich limestone meadow and the remains of the private railway platform associated with Hawthorn Towers. Bird’s-nest orchid and herb-Paris are noted by Durham Wildlife Trust, but sightings are not guaranteed.
The story
Hawthorn Towers estate; a private railway platform survives in the reserve.
Best time to go
April–July, with spring flowers and summer meadow interest.
Durham Wildlife Trust recommends April to July. Spring is a good time to look for snowdrops, wild garlic and wood anemone; later spring and summer bring woodland and meadow flowers.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
Walkers · Wildlife lovers · Photographers · Dogs
Before you go
Address
Website
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
Practical information
Opening & access
Durham Wildlife Trust describes the reserve as open at all times and free to enter. From the end of the surfaced road, park in the lay-bys and follow the track through a gate for about 350 metres before turning right onto the woodland nature trail. Paths include steep terrain; check current conditions before setting out.
Check before visiting
Parking
Durham Wildlife Trust directs visitors to lay-bys at the end of the surfaced road. The approach includes a roughly 350-metre track to the nature trail. Check parking conditions before visiting.
Check before visiting
Toilets
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Food & drink
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Dogs
Dogs must be kept on a lead, according to Durham Wildlife Trust.
Accessibility
The source row says the entrance is not wheelchair accessible. The reserve has steep-sided terrain; check with Durham Wildlife Trust for current path conditions and access advice.
Check before visiting
Cost
Free
Water
The dene extends down to the sea. Swimming or paddling permission is not established by the supplied sources.
Gallery
Place photographs
Keep exploring
Around Hawthorn Dene Nature Reserve
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
Place photograph7.7Hawthorn Dene
Hawthorn Village, between Easington and Seaham, County Durham
0.3 km away
Place photograph7.8Hawthorn Dene
Hawthorn Village, between Easington and Seaham, County Durham
0.8 km away
Place photograph8.0Hawthorn Dene
Hawthorn Village, between Easington and Seaham, County Durham
1.3 km away
