Seaham - Town & Promenade

Essential Intel

The marina closes at 5:30pm on weekends, so allow enough time to complete the Trail.

This route is not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs. It includes steps, and if using a wheelchair or pushchair you should stay on the pavement at the car park section and avoid the steps.

Navigating The Route

This is a town-and-promenade Treasure Hunt around Seaham Town & Promenade, with Explorers helping the Exploration Society follow the diary of Victorian mine owner Sir Lumpsa Coal to track down a unique urn rumoured to have belonged to Odin, hidden on a secret island off the Durham coastline.

The quest covers 3 miles and should take around 3 hours to complete. You'll set off from Seaham Hall Beach Car Park, north of the town, explore the seafront and town, investigate the marina area, and return to the car park once the treasure trail has been followed.

The route is not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs. Expect pavements, a woodland path, road crossings and a grassy field, plus an incline, wooden barriers, a dip in the road, a path through grass at the top of the cliffs and steps down to the road / from the beach.

Take great care as there is a sea cliff next to the car park. The route crosses roads, including a main road and minor roads, and later in the adventure you should not cross the fence near the cliff.

Getting There

By car: Start and finish your expedition at Seaham Hall Beach Car Park, north of the town (SR7 7AF).

By public transport: Make your way to Seaham Hall Beach Car Park, north of the town, to begin the quest. The Trail starts and finishes at the car park.

Need the Loo?

There are toilets in the car park at the start and finish, and there are also toilets at the marina.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

Four-legged Explorers can come along for the adventure 🐾

The route includes pavements, a woodland path, a grassy field, steps, road crossings and cliff-top sections, so keep canine companions close around traffic, near the marina and anywhere close to the cliff edge or fences.

Food & Drink Stops

Treasure hunting along the coast calls for proper supplies. There are plenty of places to stop for food and drink along the route, including a row of shops and cafes and a fish and chip shop.

If you'd rather bring your own provisions, you can enjoy a picnic beside the marina or in the gardens.

Want to Make a Day of It?

The Parish Church of St. Mary the Virgin

The quest takes you into the grounds and churchyard of The Parish Church of St. Mary the Virgin, one of the 20 oldest churches in the country. It may even date back to Roman times, and after centuries of sea winds, it's worth looking out for places that appear damaged by the weather.

Seaham Marina

The Trail enters the marina area as part of the clue-cracking, making it a natural place to pause once your map-work allows. There are toilets here, and it's also suggested as a place to stop for food and drink. Just remember that the marina closes at 5:30pm on weekends.

Seaham Play Area

The route passes Seaham play area, giving Mini Explorers a handy chance to burn off any spare treasure-hunting energy along the way.

Seaham Heritage Coast / Turning the Tide Coastline

This adventure follows a beautiful stretch of coastline that was once covered in debris from coal mining. A successful restoration project has left the Heritage Coast ready for people and wildlife to enjoy its natural beauty, so it's well worth slowing down and soaking up the seafront setting once the urn hunt is under control.