1. Home
  2. England
  3. Durham
  4. County Durham
  5. Durham
  6. Chourdon Point

Chourdon Point

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Durham

England

Chourdon Point

Hawthorn Dene Bare trees and a carpet of wild garlic on the northern edge of Hawthorn Dene in spring.
Hawthorn Dene Credit: David Robinson

Chourdon Point is a prominent coastal feature located in Durham, England. Situated on the eastern coast, this headland juts out into the North Sea, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. The point is named after the nearby village of Chourdon, which is known for its picturesque charm and close proximity to the sea.

At Chourdon Point, visitors can experience the raw power of the ocean as they stand on the rocky headland. The point is characterized by its rugged cliffs, which have been shaped over centuries by the relentless crashing waves. These cliffs provide a habitat for various bird species, making the point a popular spot for birdwatchers.

The point is also known for its stunning coastal walks, offering visitors the chance to explore the dramatic landscape and enjoy the fresh sea air. The path meanders along the cliff edge, providing panoramic views of the North Sea and the surrounding countryside. On a clear day, one can even catch a glimpse of the distant Farne Islands.

Aside from its natural beauty, Chourdon Point also holds historical significance. The area has been inhabited for centuries, and remnants of ancient settlements and fortifications can still be found in the vicinity. Exploring the area, visitors may stumble upon archaeological sites and learn about the rich history of the region.

Overall, Chourdon Point is a captivating coastal feature, offering a combination of natural beauty, wildlife, and historical intrigue. Whether one is seeking a peaceful stroll along the cliffs or a chance to immerse themselves in the area's history, Chourdon Point has something to offer everyone.

Show me another place!

If you have any feedback on the listing, please let us know in the comments section below.

Chourdon Point Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.811841/-1.3166836 or Grid Reference NZ4446. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Hawthorn Dene Bare trees and a carpet of wild garlic on the northern edge of Hawthorn Dene in spring.
Hawthorn Dene
Bare trees and a carpet of wild garlic on the northern edge of Hawthorn Dene in spring.
Hawthorn Burn The burn seen deep in Hawthorn Dene.
Hawthorn Burn
The burn seen deep in Hawthorn Dene.
Hawthorn Dene Viaduct The viaduct carries the Durham Coast railway across Hawthorn Dene. Built in 1905 the viaduct is grade II listed. The railway was once very busy with freight traffic, allowing connection to Tyne Dock, Sunderland docks, Seaham harbour, Hartlepool docks, the Durham coalfield's coastal collieries, and Billingham with the associated petrochemical industries on the North side of the Tees. The line still sees a smattering of freight traffic but is primarily the passenger route linking Newcastle to Middlesbrough via Sunderland, Hartlepool and Stockton, with an hourly service.
Hawthorn Dene Viaduct
The viaduct carries the Durham Coast railway across Hawthorn Dene. Built in 1905 the viaduct is grade II listed. The railway was once very busy with freight traffic, allowing connection to Tyne Dock, Sunderland docks, Seaham harbour, Hartlepool docks, the Durham coalfield's coastal collieries, and Billingham with the associated petrochemical industries on the North side of the Tees. The line still sees a smattering of freight traffic but is primarily the passenger route linking Newcastle to Middlesbrough via Sunderland, Hartlepool and Stockton, with an hourly service.
Hawthorn Burn exiting Hawthorn Dene Several denes run west - east into the North Sea along the Durham coast. They were formed by meltwaters cutting channels through the limestone ridge that runs down the Durham coast.
Hawthorn Burn exiting Hawthorn Dene
Several denes run west - east into the North Sea along the Durham coast. They were formed by meltwaters cutting channels through the limestone ridge that runs down the Durham coast.
Beach Art, Hawthorn Hive
Beach Art, Hawthorn Hive
Blast Beach The name of the beach reflects the use of the location for early furnaces using the local coal, limestone and iron ore. This was overtaken by the growth of the coal industry and the iron & steel industry migrated and grew into the large works associated with the Derwent valley (Consett) and Teesside, both areas with iron ore deposits. The industrial units seen on the headland at the top of the image are on the site of Dawdon colliery, which until the early 1990s tipped its spoil straight onto the beach to be taken on the tide. The Durham coastline has been significantly cleaned up since the end of deep mining, though the demarcation between clean beach and a remaining layer of waste can be seen at the high tide line running down the long axis of the beach.
Blast Beach
The name of the beach reflects the use of the location for early furnaces using the local coal, limestone and iron ore. This was overtaken by the growth of the coal industry and the iron & steel industry migrated and grew into the large works associated with the Derwent valley (Consett) and Teesside, both areas with iron ore deposits. The industrial units seen on the headland at the top of the image are on the site of Dawdon colliery, which until the early 1990s tipped its spoil straight onto the beach to be taken on the tide. The Durham coastline has been significantly cleaned up since the end of deep mining, though the demarcation between clean beach and a remaining layer of waste can be seen at the high tide line running down the long axis of the beach.
Wagon Wheels on Chemical Beach The beaches next to the North East coastal collieries were a dumping ground for mine spoil and other waste mine equipment. Though the area has been cleaned up since the closure of the collieries, a single axle of flanged wheels, probably from a coal wagon, can be seen on Chemical Beach at Seaham at low tide.
Wagon Wheels on Chemical Beach
The beaches next to the North East coastal collieries were a dumping ground for mine spoil and other waste mine equipment. Though the area has been cleaned up since the closure of the collieries, a single axle of flanged wheels, probably from a coal wagon, can be seen on Chemical Beach at Seaham at low tide.
Pedestrian level crossing on the Durham Coast railway line
Pedestrian level crossing on the Durham Coast railway line
Durham Coast railway Looking north from adjacent to the former site of Easington Colliery.
Durham Coast railway
Looking north from adjacent to the former site of Easington Colliery.
East Coast Main Line heading north The view is from a footpath crossing of the railway route where public access is made simply by opening a gate and walking ahead. There's a set of warning notices and an obvious green / red light signal that give instruction and clearance on making the move, as shown in David Robinson's image - <a title="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7425968" href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7425968">Link</a> .
East Coast Main Line heading north
The view is from a footpath crossing of the railway route where public access is made simply by opening a gate and walking ahead. There's a set of warning notices and an obvious green / red light signal that give instruction and clearance on making the move, as shown in David Robinson's image - Link .
Walking party at field edge The walking group, (slightly misplaced), is seeking a continuing path through woodland known as New Plantation. (The individual with the pushchair was not part of the group.)
Walking party at field edge
The walking group, (slightly misplaced), is seeking a continuing path through woodland known as New Plantation. (The individual with the pushchair was not part of the group.)
Hawthorn Dene opening on to beach Hawthorn Burn normally reaches the beach through the vegetation between the near and farther rock exposures; on this day however there was no water flow at all above ground. The building with graffiti is a World War II 'pill box'. Hawthorn Dene Viaduct at the top of the image carries the 'East Coast Main Line'.
Hawthorn Dene opening on to beach
Hawthorn Burn normally reaches the beach through the vegetation between the near and farther rock exposures; on this day however there was no water flow at all above ground. The building with graffiti is a World War II 'pill box'. Hawthorn Dene Viaduct at the top of the image carries the 'East Coast Main Line'.
Fallen tree at edge of Old Plantation The lost tree, presumably 'wind-thrown' is along the line of a public footpath seen here heading west.
Fallen tree at edge of Old Plantation
The lost tree, presumably 'wind-thrown' is along the line of a public footpath seen here heading west.
Farm access road passing barley field The road is descending towards the farm at Thorpe Lea East: in the distance is the wooded valley of Hawthorn Dene.
Farm access road passing barley field
The road is descending towards the farm at Thorpe Lea East: in the distance is the wooded valley of Hawthorn Dene.
Durham Coast Line With Shippersea Bay nearest the camera
Durham Coast Line
With Shippersea Bay nearest the camera
Durham Coast Line The view from Shippersea Point, north to Chourdon Point with a prominent island/stack at Hive
Durham Coast Line
The view from Shippersea Point, north to Chourdon Point with a prominent island/stack at Hive
Stack on Chemical Beach South of Seaham with Nose's Point beyond
Stack on Chemical Beach
South of Seaham with Nose's Point beyond
Beacon Hill The National Trust owns the land in between the England Coast Path and the sea around here. For some reason it also owns a couple of small parcels of land on the other side of the path including this one (marked on the map as 'open access land' by hard-to-spot pale green shading inside a pale orange boundary). This surely can't be to save trig-baggers the worry of breaking England's antiquated trespassing laws for all of two minutes?! There are an enormous number of Beacon Hills around Britain, which all occasionally had fires lit on them; in this case probably at separate times to warn people of an imminent coastal invasion and as an early form of lighthouse. To the West of the trig point is a hollow caused by quarrying. It doesn't appear on an 1850s map but is on an 1890s one - this may just be because the later map is on a bigger scale though. The pillar sits at 85 metres, two metres lower than the hill summit. Beacon House, marked on the map just to the West, is actually just a long barn (currently unconverted) which formerly belonged to the house.
Beacon Hill
The National Trust owns the land in between the England Coast Path and the sea around here. For some reason it also owns a couple of small parcels of land on the other side of the path including this one (marked on the map as 'open access land' by hard-to-spot pale green shading inside a pale orange boundary). This surely can't be to save trig-baggers the worry of breaking England's antiquated trespassing laws for all of two minutes?! There are an enormous number of Beacon Hills around Britain, which all occasionally had fires lit on them; in this case probably at separate times to warn people of an imminent coastal invasion and as an early form of lighthouse. To the West of the trig point is a hollow caused by quarrying. It doesn't appear on an 1850s map but is on an 1890s one - this may just be because the later map is on a bigger scale though. The pillar sits at 85 metres, two metres lower than the hill summit. Beacon House, marked on the map just to the West, is actually just a long barn (currently unconverted) which formerly belonged to the house.
Show me another place!

Chourdon Point is located at Grid Ref: NZ4446 (Lat: 54.811841, Lng: -1.3166836)

Unitary Authority: County Durham

Police Authority: Durham

What 3 Words

///decide.gangway.televise. Near Hawthorn, Co. Durham

Nearby Locations

Chourdon Point Hawthorn Hive

Related Wikis

Hawthorn Quarry
Hawthorn Quarry

Hawthorn Quarry is a Site of Special Scientific Interest in the Easington district of east County Durham, England. It is a working quarry, currently operated...

Hawthorn Dene
Hawthorn Dene

Hawthorn Dene is a Site of Special Scientific Interest in the Easington district of County Durham, England. The site occupies the incised valley of Hawthorn...

Dawdon
Dawdon

Dawdon is a former pit community to the south of Seaham, County Durham, England. An area of the beach near Dawdon (known locally as "the Blast", a former...

Hawthorn, County Durham
Hawthorn, County Durham

Hawthorn is a village in County Durham, England. It is situated between Seaham and Easington. The only public building in the village of Hawthorn is the...

Stony Cut, Cold Hesledon
Stony Cut, Cold Hesledon

Stony Cut, Cold Hesledon is a Site of Special Scientific Interest in the Easington district of north-east County Durham, England. It consists of a shallow...

Hope Wood Academy
Hope Wood Academy

54.7898°N 1.3362°W / 54.7898; -1.3362 Hope Wood Academy is an academy based in Easington Colliery, County Durham. The school caters for pupils aged 2...

Easington Colliery
Easington Colliery

Easington Colliery is a town in County Durham, England, known for a history of coal mining. It is situated to the north of Horden, a short distance to...

Easington railway station
Easington railway station

Easington railway station served the town of Easington Colliery and Easington Village in County Durham, North East England. It was located on the Durham...

Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 54.811841,-1.3166836
Created By: almien_coastlines
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 54.8078126/-1.31362
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Created By: almien_coastlines
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 54.8084302/-1.313878
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Created By: almien_coastlines
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 54.8088643/-1.3138196
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Created By: almien_coastlines
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 54.8091173/-1.3135866
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Created By: almien_coastlines
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 54.8094891/-1.3127748
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 54.8098431/-1.3127099
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 54.8102127/-1.3126831
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 54.8104572/-1.3127807
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 54.8133074/-1.3147193
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 54.813342/-1.3150872
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 54.8133846/-1.3163495
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 54.8139077/-1.3169503
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 54.8143107/-1.3175661
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 54.8151242/-1.3181809
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 54.8156386/-1.3187133
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 54.8159428/-1.318933
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Hawthorn Hive
Crossing Activation: automatic
Crossing Barrier: no
Crossing Bell: yes
Crossing Light: yes
Railway: crossing
Lat/Long: 54.8078344/-1.3164987
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Chourdon Point
Place: locality
Lat/Long: 54.8116182/-1.3127196
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Hawthorn Hive
Crossing Activation: automatic
Crossing Barrier: no
Crossing Bell: yes
Crossing Light: yes
Railway: crossing
Lat/Long: 54.8078267/-1.3165596
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Stone stack
Natural: rock
Lat/Long: 54.8156357/-1.317939
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Stone stack
Natural: rock
Wikimedia Commons: File:Coast north of Chourdon Point, near Seaham - geograph.org.uk - 2152500.jpg
Lat/Long: 54.8134293/-1.3159193
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Artwork Type: sculpture
Tourism: artwork
Lat/Long: 54.8152688/-1.3206325
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Hawthorn Dene Meadows
Board Type: nature
Information: board
Operator: Durham Wildlife Trust
Tourism: information
Lat/Long: 54.8082689/-1.3179
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Barrier: entrance
Foot: yes
Lat/Long: 54.8084413/-1.3179325
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Hawthorn Junction
Historic Railway: junction
Railway: site
Lat/Long: 54.8138156/-1.3201422
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
Hawthorn Junction
Historic Railway: junction
Railway: site
Source: NLS OS 1:10k
Lat/Long: 54.8128503/-1.319159
OpenStreetMap
Google Maps
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.
Ness of Fladdabister Shetland
Vins Taing Shetland

Have you been to Chourdon Point?

Leave your review of Chourdon Point below (or comments, questions and feedback).

© 2024 UK Place Database | Privacy