Cool places to go, fun things to do. Nominated Best Travel blog by Cosmopolitan

Seaton Sluice

Seaton Sluice beach walk

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Seaton Sluice
Beautiful beach huts

Well who would have ever thought it could get this hot on the costa del Tyne? 30 degrees in my back garden and my fuschias have never looked so abundant! So where do you go to get cool? The seaside of course!

The North Sea has never looked so inviting and I have taken the plunge a couple of times already this year along with many other wild swimming aficianados. We have a whole host of lovely beaches on the North East coast here from Tynemouth to Whitley Bay is the favourite spot to zone in on. But just a little further north from there is another  charming spot and a spectacular sandy beach which is often a lot less crowded.

It also has a very nice pub at the top of the bank the Kings Arms which does a nice cool drink and tasty food too. The Deleval Arms has also been refurbished and is definitely worth a visit.

Seaton Sluice Walk

A brisk walk along the beach from Seaton Sluice to Blyth is about 3 1/2 miles. An hours walk each way at a brisk pace. It is a gorgeous golden sandy beach and is becoming increasingly popular as the beaches further own the coast get very busy.

seaton beach walk
Swingtime Fuschia

You can walk along to the Coastline cafe which is always full of folk enjoying their first rate fish and chips. The Italian ice cream shop with its myriad of flavours is also extremely popular with visitors from near and far.

Seaton Sluice
Cicarellis ice cream

Seaton Sluice – a traditional beach

There is nothing quite like a traditional seaside holiday. With everyone crowding to Devon and Cornwall in droves, why not head North instead to our lovely North East coast?

I love beach huts, and wind breaks, and picnics and fish and chips. You can’t beat them, and a British staycation is perfect if you have the weather. Happily, we have had lots of sunshine this year.

Seaton Sluice
A family affair

Seaton Sluice history

Seaton Sluice has an interesting history. A natural harbour, it originally exported coal and salt from the Hartley salt pans. The natural sluice did silt up however, which made it difficult to navigate. Sir Ralph Delaval (of nearby Delaval Hall) had a pier constructed and created sluice gates that trapped the seawater at high tide. At low tide the gates were opened, flushing the sand out of the harbour. Henceforth the village became known as Seaton Sluice.

Seaton Sluice
The sluice

A new entrance was then created for the harbour by Sir John Hussey Delaval.  A channel was blasted through solid rock, resulting in what is known as ‘The Cut.’ Opening in 1763 the new construction meant that land between the old harbour entrance and the new channel became an island, known as ‘Rocky Island’.

The new channel sealed off both ends, so loading was able to continue no matter the state of the tide. A ballast hill known as Sandy Island is still visible. Built up from the ballast of ships entering the harbour, the ballast hill and The Cut remain today.

Seaton Sluice
Seaweed and shoe

The new entrance proved to be a success, and in 1777, 177 ships sailed out of the harbour carrying 48,000 tonnes of coal. The coal was brought to the harbour from nearby collieries via wagonways, with coal wagons being drawn by horses. Salt continued to be exported from Seaton Sluice until 1798, when a new salt tax put an end to the trade.

The walk back to Seaton Sluice

Today, you can walk back along the beach or along the path which runs along the top of the dunes. This is very popular with cyclists and there is a bit of cycle related public art along the way. There really is nothing quite like a blast along the beach for blowing away the cobwebs and improving your mental health.

Seaton Sluice
Hellooooo!

Walking back the mist starts to roll in. This can happen in a heartbeat here, so it’s always wise to take a fleecy along. The pub at the top of the Sluice is the Kings Arms, the oldest pub in the village. It is situated right next to the bridge leading to Rocky Island. Constructed in the mid-eighteenth century as the overseer’s house, it later became a pub.

Seaton Sluice
Kings Arms

It does very tasty food and has had a smart recent paint job during lockdown. Highly recommended for a refreshing drink at the conclusion of your beach walk.

More Northumberland beach break fun 

More about Seaton Delaval Hall 

Another seaside suggestion – Saltburn-by-the-sea

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