Beacon Hill and Hawthorn Village Walk

DISTANCE: 11.3 KM (7.0 MILES)
GRADE OF WALK: MODERATE
TIME: 2-3 HOURS
EXPLORER MAP:

Walk a spectacular stretch of Heritage coastline along dramatic cliff tops that include exceptional views. This area is of particular geological and botanical interest, and is bordered by meadow and woodland alive with wildlife. Nearby you'll find attractions for all the family, including the National Glass Centre at Sunderland; Dalton Park Outlet Shopping Centre and in Hartlepool, the Maritime Experience.

START/PARKING

The walk starts from the car park at the entrance to Nose's Point. OS Map Grid Reference NZ435483

RECOMMENDED ROUTE

Park in the car park at the entrance to Nose's Point just off the A182 in Dawdon. The walk starts along the tarmac path out to the site of the old tippler from the colliery that poured millions of tons of colliery spoil onto Blast Beach, the remaining spoil is visible along the back of the beach. The yellow rock is called magnesian limestone and supports a very rare form of grassland, the only example of this in all of Europe.

Carry on along the path and onto land owned by the National Trust, the path continues along the cliff top and then runs alongside the railway line. Follow the path across the line, into the woodland and then through the hay meadow, managed by Durham Wildlife Trust, which leads on across the stream and up the bank.

At the top of the bank turn left beneath the end of the railway arch and continue along the coastal footpath. Turn right at the National Trust sign and head up the steps to Beacon Hill. Turn right through the gate to enjoy the views from the trig point and continue on path across Beacon Hill. At gate turn right (away from sea) at next T-junction. Turn right onto a track, continue on and at next T-junction turn left. At junction of tracks go straight ahead onto waymarked path bearing right to cross a field. Turn right at the marker post and follow the path between two farm fields towards woodland. Follow path to left at edge of wood, watch out for an indistinct path on the right into the wood (50 yards from telegraph poles). Follow this path into wood down steps, across a bridge and up to exit at a stile into a field. Walk up field towards houses leading to Hawthorn Village.

Pass up the main street and turn right at the top, follow the tarmac road back towards the sea taking the signed footpath to the right at the gated access. This path follows the edge of the wood, gently dropping down to rejoin the coastal path at the hay meadow.

Turn left back towards Nose's Point, retrace your original steps back to the start.