Beacon Point

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Durham

England

Beacon 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

Beacon Point is a prominent coastal feature located in Durham, a county in the northeast of England. Situated on the eastern coast of the country, it is a picturesque headland that juts out into the North Sea. The point is known for its stunning cliffs and rugged landscape, making it a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and hikers.

At Beacon Point, visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of the North Sea and the surrounding coastline. The headland offers a vantage point from which one can witness the power and beauty of the crashing waves against the cliffs. The area is also home to a variety of wildlife, including seabirds such as gulls and cormorants, which can be observed nesting and fishing along the cliffs.

The name "Beacon Point" derives from the historical use of the location as a beacon site, where fires were lit to guide ships and warn of potential dangers. This maritime heritage adds to the charm and significance of the area.

Accessible by foot, Beacon Point offers several walking trails that allow visitors to explore the headland and its surroundings. These paths wind through grassy meadows, providing opportunities for leisurely strolls and picnics. Additionally, the area is often a starting point for longer coastal walks, allowing adventurers to explore more of the Durham coastline.

Beacon Point is not only a scenic spot but also holds historical and ecological importance. Its combination of stunning natural beauty, rich wildlife, and historical significance makes it a must-visit destination for both locals and tourists alike.

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Beacon Point Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.802075/-1.3108125 or Grid Reference NZ4445. 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.
Easington Miners' Picnic
Easington Miners' Picnic
The Pit Cage Monument, Easington Colliery Standing on the Durham Heritage Coast in the Spring sunshine the monument is a memorial to the colliery which closed in 1993.
See Andrew Curtis's photo for more information <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1578726">NZ4344 : Pit Cage Monument, Easington Colliery</a>
The Pit Cage Monument, Easington Colliery
Standing on the Durham Heritage Coast in the Spring sunshine the monument is a memorial to the colliery which closed in 1993. See Andrew Curtis's photo for more information NZ4344 : Pit Cage Monument, Easington Colliery
Easington Colliery Timeline The path to the Pit Cage Monument <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/7156716">NZ4344 : The Pit Cage Monument, Easington Colliery</a> is lined with bronze plaques which record significant events in the history of Easington Colliery which opened in 1899 and closed in 1953.
Easington Colliery Timeline
The path to the Pit Cage Monument NZ4344 : The Pit Cage Monument, Easington Colliery is lined with bronze plaques which record significant events in the history of Easington Colliery which opened in 1899 and closed in 1953.
Byron Street, Easington Colliery Two houses displaying individual taste but to the detriment of the street scene
Byron Street, Easington Colliery
Two houses displaying individual taste but to the detriment of the street scene
Cliff Top View at Fox Holes Part of the Durham Coast National Nature Reserve.
Cliff Top View at Fox Holes
Part of the Durham Coast National Nature Reserve.
Wild Flowers by the Coast Path At Fox Holes Dene a stream has cut a deep chine through the cliffs so the coast path has to make a detour of around 1km to cover less than 200m of coastline. It's a pleasant wooded walk though, very different from the clifftop scenery.
The flowers look like sweet peas and willow herb.
Wild Flowers by the Coast Path
At Fox Holes Dene a stream has cut a deep chine through the cliffs so the coast path has to make a detour of around 1km to cover less than 200m of coastline. It's a pleasant wooded walk though, very different from the clifftop scenery. The flowers look like sweet peas and willow herb.
Byron (or Ascot?) Street The map calls it Byron Street. Other contributors call it Byron Street. But there is definitely a street name sign on the end house calling it Ascot Street.
Why would that be? 
It's a very distinctive terrace anyway.
Byron (or Ascot?) Street
The map calls it Byron Street. Other contributors call it Byron Street. But there is definitely a street name sign on the end house calling it Ascot Street. Why would that be? It's a very distinctive terrace anyway.
Station Road, Easington Colliery The main road through the village. The station, like the colliery, is no longer there.
Station Road, Easington Colliery
The main road through the village. The station, like the colliery, is no longer there.
Camp Street, Easington Colliery Terraced housing on the slope down towards the coast.
Camp Street, Easington Colliery
Terraced housing on the slope down towards the coast.
Easington Local Nature Reserve A landscaped area formerly occupied by a coal mine. One of the mine shafts is in a fenced enclosure beyond the small black notice near the centre of the picture.
The panel tells you about the transformation.
Easington Local Nature Reserve
A landscaped area formerly occupied by a coal mine. One of the mine shafts is in a fenced enclosure beyond the small black notice near the centre of the picture. The panel tells you about the transformation.
Signpost to the Coast Path One of the places where the coast path can be accessed from a parking area. The path is a short walk over a landscaped open space which was previously the site of a coal mine.
Signpost to the Coast Path
One of the places where the coast path can be accessed from a parking area. The path is a short walk over a landscaped open space which was previously the site of a coal mine.
Pedestrian level crossing on the Durham Coast railway line
Pedestrian level crossing on the Durham Coast railway line
Show me another place!

Beacon Point is located at Grid Ref: NZ4445 (Lat: 54.802075, Lng: -1.3108125)

Unitary Authority: County Durham

Police Authority: Durham

What 3 Words

///selection.narrow.swells. Near Easington Colliery, Co. Durham

Related Wikis

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...

Hawthorn Quarry

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Easington railway station

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 54.802075,-1.3108125
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 54.7998771/-1.3117088
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 54.8003152/-1.3120858
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 54.8007435/-1.3123322
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 54.8010967/-1.3123133
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 54.8014786/-1.3119626
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 54.8017836/-1.3117262
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 54.802298/-1.3118456
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 54.8024248/-1.3119917
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 54.8056834/-1.3126809
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 54.8059034/-1.3129332
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 54.8062374/-1.3131419
Beacon Point
Natural: cape
Lat/Long: 54.8019381/-1.3125265
Source: PGS
Lat/Long: 54.7995964/-1.3112502
Beacon Hill
Natural: peak
Wikidata: Q24658962
Lat/Long: 54.8020701/-1.3161063
Beacon Hill North
Ele: 85.7
Image: https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1359302
Man Made: survey_point
Material: concrete
Ref: NZ42S002
Tpuk Ref: TP1109
Website: https://trigpointing.uk/trig/1109
Wikimedia Commons: File:Beacon Hill Trig Point - geograph.org.uk - 831404.jpg
Lat/Long: 54.8014838/-1.3155531
Blue House
Archaeological Site: settlement
Historic: archaeological_site
Source: Historic OS mapping
Lat/Long: 54.8035149/-1.3177773
White Steps
Crossing Activation: automatic
Crossing Barrier: no
Crossing Bell: yes
Crossing Light: yes
Railway: crossing
Supervised: no
Lat/Long: 54.800444/-1.3137776
White Steps
Crossing Activation: automatic
Crossing Barrier: no
Crossing Bell: yes
Crossing Light: yes
Railway: crossing
Supervised: no
Lat/Long: 54.8004388/-1.3137158
Shippersea Point
Natural: cape
Source Name: OS_OpenData_StreetView
Lat/Long: 54.7989841/-1.3113964
Shippersea Bay
Natural: bay
Lat/Long: 54.8007313/-1.3112354
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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