No time like the present

Seaham's burgeoning marina

Seaham’s burgeoning marina

I was pleasantly surprised, on Saturday, to come upon the view above.  Seaham Harbour, as I’ve always known it, is a former mining village, whose pithead once dominated the landscape. Regeneration has taken place, and the marina and visitor centre for the RNLI now lie in the old harbour, with its iconic lighthouse banished to the distance.

Come and take a closer look at these galleries with me.

It’s still a working port (just about), so not all of it’s pretty.
But I did try to pretty it up.
The road drops down into the harbour
And looking back you can see across the bay.
Then you’re in the marina
And my favourite hobby, boat spotting.
Add a cafe and a visitor centre and you’re all set.
It’s a nice enough outlook.

There’s a great cafe called “The Lookout” pointing right out to sea, and below that some exhibition space.  I really enjoyed the visitor centre for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.  It’s full of photos, nautical maps and stories of heroism. There’s no entry fee but it’s a pleasure to slip a few coins in the boat.  The bravery required on these sometimes stormy seas is worth every penny, and the staff were informative and very pleasant.

Lifeboats are the most complex and amazing vessels.
That grappling hook looks pretty fierce.
I love the patriotic colours.
The boat’s story gives me a lump in my throat
The display cabinets were a trip back in time.
Tinder boxes, old badges, all kinds of paraphernalia
A replica of RNLB George Elmy
I thought this was beautiful.

I gave a little history of the town, and it’s rather surprising connection to the poet, Lord Byron, in Windswept in Seaham.

There was a nice breeze blowing on Saturday, but not one to bend you double.  It’s raining again today so I’m using my normal walking time to look back at sunnier skies.  I almost forgot to mention the delicious pana cotta and Swiss chocolate icecream I indulged in.  I know there are a few of you with a sweet tooth.  “Leaf, bark and berries” was my cafe of choice.

A last look at the lighthouse

One last look at the lighthouse

57 comments

  1. Clearly you have a very empowered Municipality in those parts. Post transformation the place looks awesome. I am particularly taken in the manner the road going down to the harbour has been beautified.

    Shakti

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    1. Thanks, Shakti. The whole coast was blighted by the mines and the beaches ruined with coal, but a big clean up has taken place over the last 20 years and now there are lovely coastal walks. The environment is big business these days, isn’t it? 🙂

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  2. It’s great to see when places like Seaham Harbour are able to regenerate the landscape. Seaham Harbour now looks like a very picturesque and lovely little place. Thanks for sharing and for the great pictures.

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  4. It’s wonderful to see recreation like that Jo and thanks again for the lovely tour hon. I would have stayed at the lighthouse all day long. LOL! I love lighthouses. Great shots and thanks for sharing. 😀 *big hugs*

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  5. The photo series is beautiful. Would love to sample the Swiss Chocolate ice cream. What a great day you had. Thanks for sharing it with all of us!

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    1. There’s a good heritage sculpture trail depicting the mining history too, Seonaid. My “windswept” post last year was dedicated to that aspect, but the marina improves things still more. 🙂

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  14. Very enjoyable article Jo and great photos too. And finished off very nicely with the visit to the cafe. Exactly what I would do!! ♥

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    1. Funny, Gem 🙂 Swiss choc was amazing. Big chunks of chocolate flaked into it (I nearly said proper Belgian chocolate icecream- you’ve got me at it now!) A bit sickly by the time I’d finished, but maybe that was all the pc I ate first (posh raspberry ripple is the nearest I can think)
      Feeling quite full and a little queasy. 🙂

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  17. I don’t know panna cotta from terra cotta but Swiss chocolate ice cream sounds like a dream!
    Beautiful shots. Would love to sit at the cafe.
    Hope the sunshines soon…

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    1. If you look at the earlier Seaham post, the “windswept” one, there’s a bit more about Leaf, bark etc. On Saturday they very enterprisingly had the icecream counter set up on the pavement outside. It worked like a magnet to my husband. He’d been listening for the chimes of the icecream van all the way along the front.
      It won’t be there today- it’s bouncing! 🙂

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  19. Lovely photos. I would have especially enjoyed visiting the visitors center of the lifeboat institution…such brave souls to go out in horrible seas to rescue others.

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  20. It’s great to see the regeneration of the harbor, with the new visitor’s center and marina. I think it’s lovely when people take pride in their little part of the world. It looks like a picturesque spot, and the pana cotta and Swiss Chocolate ice cream sound like the perfect top-offs! 🙂

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      1. So you were thinking of me with that ice cream?? I’m so pleased! 🙂 I keep trying not to forget the diet, but am not being very successful so far. I am walking about 3 miles every day though! Lucky you, you never need to worry about a diet. 🙂

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