Busiers Holes

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Durham

England

Busiers Holes

Hawthorn Burn The burn seen deep in Hawthorn Dene. — Hawthorn Burn Credit: David Robinson

Busiers Holes is a prominent coastal feature located in Durham, England. It is widely recognized as a headland and point on the coast, attracting both locals and tourists alike due to its natural beauty and unique geological characteristics.

Situated along the Durham Heritage Coast, Busiers Holes offers breathtaking views of the North Sea and the surrounding coastline. The headland is composed of rugged cliffs that rise dramatically from the sea, creating an impressive sight. These cliffs are made up of layers of sedimentary rock, showcasing the area's geological history and providing a valuable resource for researchers and geologists.

One of the distinctive features of Busiers Holes is the presence of several large holes or caves along the cliff face. These holes have been naturally carved out by the relentless pounding of the waves over thousands of years. They vary in size and shape, some forming small caves while others resemble arches or tunnels. These formations not only add to the scenic beauty of the area but also provide habitat for a variety of marine life, including nesting birds and other coastal species.

Visitors to Busiers Holes can enjoy various activities, such as hiking along the coastal path, exploring the caves, or simply taking in the stunning views. It is also a popular spot for birdwatching, as the headland attracts a diverse range of bird species throughout the year.

Overall, Busiers Holes in Durham is a captivating coastal feature that combines natural beauty, geological interest, and diverse wildlife, making it a must-visit destination for nature enthusiasts and those seeking a peaceful escape by the sea.

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Busiers Holes Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.788569/-1.3109178 or Grid Reference NZ4443. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Hawthorn Burn

The burn seen deep in Hawthorn Dene.

David Robinson

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.

David Robinson

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.

David Robinson

Sewage Works

David Robinson

Easington Miners' Picnic

Mick Garratt

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

Graham Hogg

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.

Graham Hogg

Byron Street, Easington Colliery

Two houses displaying individual taste but to the detriment of the street scene

Graham Hogg

Cliff Top View at Fox Holes

Part of the Durham Coast National Nature Reserve.

Des Blenkinsopp

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.

Des Blenkinsopp

Coast Path Waymark

Just south of the big detour around Fox Holes Dene.

Des Blenkinsopp

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.

Des Blenkinsopp

Station Road, Easington Colliery

The main road through the village. The station, like the colliery, is no longer there.

Des Blenkinsopp

A Low Black Cliff

When there were coal mines working nearby they would dump old waste mining rubble onto the beaches along this bit of coast. Old pictures show it covering a large area but a lot of it has been cleared or washed away. Some still remains and makes a line of low cliffs around a metre high which collapse into the sea at intervals. Large lumps of coal can still be found in the mixture.

Des Blenkinsopp

Mining Waste by the Sea

Looking back inland from the edge of the area shown here NZ4442 : A Low Black Cliff where coal mining debris was dumped onto the beach. Much of it is still bare and inhospitable and naturalists are watching with interest to see what types of plant will gradually start growing here.

Des Blenkinsopp

Mine Water Treatment Pond

As has been found in many former mining districts, you can't just close a deep mine and forget about it. Once the pumps that drained the workings are turned off, groundwater comes back in and gets polluted. The limestone aquifer here supplies clean water to a large area and cannot be allowed to become contaminated. These ponds contain polluted mine water and are part of the cleaning up process.

Des Blenkinsopp