Colliery Coast and Hawthorn Dene

The route will follow the England Coast Path between Fox Holes Dene (Easington Colliery) and Nose's Point (Dawdon Colliery), with diversions through the wooded Hawthorn Dene and over the high point of Beacon Hill. The coast path is generally easy going but there is a steep descent and ascent at Hawthorn Dene and the path through the dene itself may be muddy and overgrown. 

Easington Colliery was one of the last of the Durham collieries to close. A timeline can be followed from the car park towards the pit cage, a landmark and lasting reminder of an industry that once shaped the whole of the landscape on this coast. Streets in the town were used in the film Billy Elliott.  
 
Hawthorn Dene is a fine example of the coastal denes found in the area. Ash, sycamore, oak and yew dominate the woodland with shrubs including hazel, hawthorn and gooseberry. At ground level hart’s tongue ferns and fragrant orchids are found in abundance.