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Durham Beaches

Durham Beaches

Whether you’re planning a staycation or a day trip with the kids. Use our coastal holiday guide to discover beautiful Durham beaches.

Find your favourite Durham Beaches

Durham beaches, once known as the ‘Black Beaches’ has been transformed into an area of stunning natural beauty brimming with wildlife. Enjoy the beaches of Seaham, Peterlee and Hartlepool. From harbour towns of Hartlepool to the dramatic beaches of the Durham Heritage coast, this part of the coast is not to be missed. Walk the coastal path or explore the rich history of the area.

Durham Beach Days

Do you know the name of the beach you are looking for? From Seham Hall (Glass Beach) to Hartlepool. See our full list of beaches in Durham in alphabetical order.

Blackhall Colliery Beach

Blackhall Colliery Beach is a stunning stretch natural coastline part of the Durham Coast National Nature…

Blackhall Rocks Beach

Blackhall Rocks Beach is a stretch sandy beach backed by coastal cliffs, popular with nature lovers.

Blast Beach

Blast Beach in Durham is a lovely natural beach teaming with wildlife. It has undergone a complete rejuvination

Chemical Beach

Chemical beach is on the south side of Seaham Harbour.

Crimdon Beach

Crimdon Beach on the Durham Heritage Coast, once home to thriving 1950’s holiday resort, is a unspoilt…

Easington Beach

Easington beach small shingle and rocky stretch on the Durham Heritage Coast. Easington Beach attracts fossil hunters, walkers and nature lovers

Glass Beach

Glass beach is backed by the 5 star award winning spa hotel, Seaham Hall and attracts sea glass hunters from far and wide.

Hartlepool Beach

Hartlepool Beach is in a fascinating harbour town and headland on the Durham coast. Full of history and the famous Steetley pier.

Hawthorn Beach

Hawthorn Beach on the Durham coast is a small quiet beach backed by woodland.

Horden Beach

Horden Beach on the Durham coast is a long sand and shingle beach backed by woodland.

North Gare Beach

Walk along the sand dunes and enjoy the natural surroundings of North Gare beach. There are lots of trails through the dunes

Seaham Beach

Seaham is a long stretch of sandy beach running north from Seaham Harbour on on Durham’s Heritage…

Seaton Carew Beach

Award winning Seaton Carew Beach between Hartlepool and the mouth of the River Tees, has a…

Slope Beach

Slope beach is a small sheltered sandy beach in Seaham Harbour and is popular with both visitors and locals.

Dramatic Magnesian Limestone Cliffs

The coastline is defined by towering cliffs of magnesian limestone, reaching up to 30 meters high in some areas. These cliffs feature occasional caves, stacks, and dramatic headlands, creating a rugged and varied landscape.

Coastal Villages and Heritage The Durham coast is dotted with picturesque coastal villages like Seaham, which has a lively harbor, historic church, and the iconic Seaham Hall Hotel. The coastline is also rich in industrial heritage, with remnants of the region’s coal mining past visible in some areas.

Recovering Marine Life

After improvements in water quality, the seas off the Durham coast are seeing a recovery of marine life. Kelp beds are expanding, and large populations of colorful anemones can be found. Seals and basking sharks are frequently spotted offshore in the summer months.

What’s On

Coastal events in Durham for your diary

Annual events taking place for 2024.

  • Food Festivals
  • Sailing
  • Sporting Events
read more

Enjoy the beautiful Durham coast.

More about Durham beaches

Yes, lots! Blackhall Rock beach, Crimdon beach, North Gare, and Seaham beach have miles of golden sandy beach.

Glass Beach, (or Seaham Hall beach) as the name suggests is famous for sea glass collecting.

The best beaches for surfing in Durham are Seaton Carew and around Steetly Pier.

Explore other areas near Durham

Explore the miles of coastline with popular seaside destinations, coastal walks and water sports. Find more beaches in the northeast coast of England, covering the counties of East Riding, Northumberland, Yorkshire and Tyne and Wear. Stop off at a beach for the day or walk or cycle the coastal trails.

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