In the dene again

 In the dene with the Greens. February 1st

Another Sunday walk with the Greens, another rainy day too.

We met at the Earsdon Garden Centre for morning coffee. The centre is sandwiched between the road from Holywell to Earsdon and a short stretch of old road. We parked in a layby on the short stretch of the old road. 

The walk  is easy to follow but if you need a map: OS Explorer 316 Newcastle upon Tyne

             It's not a carpark but I have cropped the photo. I hope my efforts are appreciatd.

Once booted and suited in the light rain we set off back on the road to Holywell, crossed the Seaton Burn, crossed the road, turned left , went down the steps, crossed the footbridge and we were on the south side of Seaton Burn in Holywell Dene.

The path was very muddy, there are several short climbs and descents but most of them have wooden walled steps to aid the aged. Parts of the dene are used as a cycle track too, beware.

A swollen Seaton Burn and a stepped climb.

When we reached the dismantled railway we turned left, crossed the burn and, just before the old bridge went back into the dene, on the north bank.

Reaching a footbridge we crossed again and climbed to the road that goes to Hartley.

                   Bridge on the old railway, turn right back into the dene.

We crossed the road, passed the Delaval Arms pub and headed down to the cliffs, which are dangerous, the sign says.

                     St.Mary's lighthouse

We followed the cliff top path to Seaton Sluice at which point we made use of a row of benches for a Herbie. (No sharing on Greens walks, they'll learn) We had a grand view of the stack known as Charley's Garden.

                             Charley's Garden, no longer tended.

For the first time in days the sun came out, it was warm enough to remove top layers. continuing past the King's Arms on the path above the harbour we then took the steps down to the water's edge, crossed the stream on the footbridge and headed up the north side of the burn.

                     The Seaton Sluice mermaid and the cut. The cut was made to provide a dock for the loading of coal and the unloading of ballast. The sluice which was built to hold back water and release it to scour the harbour has gone.

We followed the footpath for a while, passing but not seeing the Starlight Castle.

Starlight Castle is behind the trees. In the 18th century, so the story goes, one of the Delavals needed extra accommodation for a lady friend. He made a bet that he could have a castle built in twenty four hours. Having accumulated the materials his worker did the job and he won the bet. The mini castle is now a ruin.

We reached another old railway track and walked a mile south west to the bird hide at Holywell pond.

                                  Holywell Pond. Sadly the hide has been vandalised.

Soon we were back in Holywell, back down the steps by the bridge but this time turned right and followed a path round the edges of fields to Holywell Grange Farm. Beyond the farm we turned left and walked a track back to the cars.

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The walk is under 9 miles, easy going but muddy in winter.