Seahouses - Harbour & Railway Path

Navigating The Route

This is a circular Treasure Hunt around Seahouses Harbour and the Railway Path, with the Intrepid Explorers Society needing Adventurers to follow Mack Rhell's map and clues around Seahouses to track down the lost Golden Kipper.

The quest covers approximately 2.2 miles and should take around 2.5+ hours to complete. You'll explore the seaside villages of Seahouses and North Sunderland, follow sections of disused railway path, investigate pavements and the harbour side, and pass along the coastal path before looping back to the start area.

This Trail is not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs. The route includes a disused railway path, pavements, the harbour side and one short steep incline. Parts of the railway path may be muddy if it has been wet, so suitable footwear is a smart move for this coastal caper.

Take extra care around the harbour, Explorers. It is a working area, so be aware of vehicles, and some parts have no fence with a very low wall. Main Street can also get pretty busy at times, so keep younger Adventurers close.

Getting There

By car: Start at Station Yard pay & display car park, just off Seafield Road (NE68 7SJ). The first clue is at the opposite side of the toilet block at the end of the car park.

By public transport: Make your way to Station Yard pay & display car park, just off Seafield Road, to begin the hunt. The circular route loops back to the start area once the Golden Kipper's trail has been followed.

Need the Loo?

Make a pit stop before you launch the expedition - toilets are in the car park at the start of the Trail.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

Four-legged Explorers are welcome to join the adventure. 🐾

The route includes pavements, a disused railway path, the harbour side, a coastal path and one short steep incline. Keep canine companions close around Main Street, the working harbour, vehicles and the low harbour wall, and be ready for muddy paws on the railway path if the weather has been wet.

Food & Drink Stops

Stock up at the start if needed, especially if your crew likes to be well-provisioned before a treasure hunt.

Cafes and restaurants are found at Clues 10 and 11, near the end of the Trail. Near Clue 28, the route passes The Olde Ship and there is fish and chips nearby. If you would rather bring your own supplies, an ideal picnic spot is along the coastal path after Clue 14.

Want to Make a Day of It?

Seahouses and North Sunderland

The Trail explores the seaside villages of Seahouses and North Sunderland, giving Adventurers a proper flavour of the area beyond the treasure map. North Sunderland used to have much more hustle and bustle a century and a half ago, with many traders based here, including a butcher, a baker, six shoe makers, three tailors, ten shops, four stone masons and a straw bonnet maker.

The Churchyard at North Sunderland

This churchyard was once the site of the pele tower, a defensive tower that served as a refuge for villagers when raiding parties of Scots and Border Reivers arrived. These towers were common in the north of England and were built as far south as Lancashire, making this a neat extra stop for Explorers who like their treasure hunts with a slice of border history.

Seahouses Harbour and Lime Kilns

Seahouses harbour is a working area, so enjoy it with care while keeping clear of vehicles, unfenced edges and the very low wall. The lime kilns ahead were built in the 18th century; lime was produced here and exported by boat to be used as fertiliser. The industry lasted for over 100 years and was the reason for Seahouses' growth.

Farne Islands Boat Trips

If you have time, Seahouses is the gateway to the Farne Islands, and several boat companies offer trips to see wildlife on the islands. Treat this as an optional extra once the Golden Kipper quest has been tackled and your Adventurers are ready for a bigger coastal expedition.