Durham Coast

The Durham Coast between Seaham and Horden shows how far a coastline can recover: at the height of mining, millions of tonnes of colliery waste were tipped onto its 'black beaches', until 14 organisations, the National Trust among them, cleaned them up between 1997 and 2002. Today cream-coloured magnesian limestone cliffs, cut by steep wooded denes, frame rocky headlands, sheltered bays and wildflower grassland home to the rare bloody cranesbill and the Durham brown argus butterfly. Reviewers enjoy the clifftop paths and sea views, and warn that the ways down to the pebbly, rocky beaches are steep, especially after rain. Tip: Nose's Point car park is council pay and display, but parking is free at Easington Colliery and Fox Holes Dene. Dogs are welcome, on a short lead near livestock and cliff edges. A five-mile circular walk from Nose's Point, once the site of Dawdon Colliery, takes in Blast Beach, Hawthorn Hive and the woods of Hawthorn Dene.