Bed Slide

Coastal Feature, Headland, Point in Durham

England

Bed Slide

Bed Slide is a prominent coastal feature located in Durham, a county in northeast England. It is classified as a headland, which is a narrow piece of land that extends outwards into the sea. More specifically, Bed Slide is a point, which is a type of headland that is characterized by a sharp, narrow tip.

Situated along the rugged North Sea coastline, Bed Slide offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape and the vast ocean. The headland is composed of a combination of sedimentary rocks, including sandstone and shale, which have been shaped over time by the erosive forces of the sea.

One of the notable features of Bed Slide is its steep cliffs, which rise dramatically from the water's edge. These cliffs are a result of years of erosion caused by the relentless pounding of the waves against the rock face. At high tide, the waves crash against the base of the cliffs, creating a powerful spectacle of nature.

The headland is also home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. The cliffs provide nesting sites for various seabirds, including gulls and cormorants, while the surrounding waters are home to marine life such as seals and dolphins.

Bed Slide is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers. Visitors can explore the headland on foot, following the coastal path that winds its way along the cliff tops. The area is also a haven for rock climbers, who are drawn to the challenging routes and stunning views.

Overall, Bed Slide is a captivating coastal feature that showcases the raw beauty and power of nature. Its towering cliffs, diverse wildlife, and breathtaking vistas make it a must-visit destination for those seeking a true coastal experience in Durham.

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Bed Slide Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.786811/-1.3099213 or Grid Reference NZ4443. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

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

Treatment Pond for Mine Water

Another picture of one of the ponds which are part of the treatment process for polluted water from a former coal mine.

Des Blenkinsopp

Explaining the Treatment Ponds

An information panel by the ponds where polluted water coming from an old coal mine is treated.

Des Blenkinsopp

Stone Wall and Seat

A stone built windbreak and bench facing out to sea along the coast path.

Des Blenkinsopp

Camp Street, Easington Colliery

Terraced housing on the slope down towards the coast.

Des Blenkinsopp

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.

Des Blenkinsopp

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Bed Slide is located at Grid Ref: NZ4443 (Lat: 54.786811, Lng: -1.3099213)

Unitary Authority: County Durham

Police Authority: Durham