The harbour at Seaton Sluice
Seaton Sluice isn’t the most inviting place name I ever came across. Yet I knew from a previous expedition to nearby Seaton Delaval Hall that it provides an interesting gateway to the sea. A bright and free day took me back up the north east coast to explore.
Seaton Burn flows into the North Sea midway between Whitley Bay and Blyth. Place names are interesting, aren’t they? Seaton Sluice was once part of the village of Hartley, and was called Hartley Pans because of the salt pans, where salt was panned as far back as 1236. The area once belonged to Tynemouth Priory, but in 1100 the land became the property of Hubert de Laval, nephew by marriage to William the Conqueror. The Delavals, as they became known, settled about half a mile inland at Seaton Delaval Hall. Seaton derives from Old English and means a settlement (‘ton’) by the sea. Let’s go look around, and I’ll explain a little more.
The approach to the sea
At low tide, the area fails to look its best, but there was excitement to come. First, a little more history. Up until 1550, the salt produced at Hartley Pans was transported to Blyth for export. After this it was shipped directly from the small natural harbour, and the village, now known as Hartley Haven, was used to export coal as well as salt.
The little harbour was prone to silting and this limited access by ships, but in the 1600s Sir Ralph Delaval had a pier constructed, and sluice gates which trapped the seawater at high tide. Hence the name, Seaton Sluice. At low tide, the gates were opened, flushing the sand from the harbour.
The harbour remained like this until the 1760s when another Delaval, Sir John, had ‘The Cut’ blasted through solid rock to make a new harbour entrance. 54ft deep, 30ft wide and 900ft long, the result created an island of the land between the old entrance and the new channel. Enterprising men these Delavals. The new channel could be sealed off at both ends so that boats could carry on loading, irrespective of the tide. For me, the excitement begins when the channel meets the sea.
This sight had me skipping with excitement!
How beautiful is this?
I’m on the southern edge of Northumberland here, and if you know anything at all about Northumberland you’ll know it has magnificent beaches. In the distance you can see Blyth and an offshore wind farm. Next year there will be a Tall Ships Race too.
I’m happy just to gaze
Salt continued to be exported from Seaton Sluice until the advent of a new salt tax in 1798. It was replaced by a new export, glass bottles. In 1763 Sir Francis Delaval obtained approval from Parliament to develop a glassworks. Skilled men were brought from Germany to train the locals in glass making, using the materials to hand- sand and kelp from the sea, and local coal and clay. The bottles were sent to London on ‘bottle sloops’, with a main mast that could be lowered to enable sailing beneath the arches of old London Bridge.
Hard, now, to believe that such industry once took place. Competition from other glassmakers brought the bottle trade to an end, and a major disaster at Hartley pit, in which 204 men and boys perished, spelled the end of the coal trade.
Crossing Seaton Sluice Bridge we can look back at the harbour
My adventure with the sea isn’t quite over yet though. Following the other side of the channel I come to a narrow cut. Looking south along the coast I am thrilled to find that in the far distance I can see St. Mary’s Lighthouse at Whitley Bay. You might remember my post.
Can you see it, across the bay?
Quite a way off
It’s such a wonderful coastline!
I follow the coastal path back into the village. Looking down at the rocks I’m astounded to find a heron, nonchalantly checking out the seafood. I do hope he approves.
I returned to Seaton Delaval Hall that afternoon. Very nice chocolate fudge cake! I’ll share my visit when Paula returns from her holiday, but we might look at the garden before then.
Meantime I should thank Wikipedia for all their information, and you for sharing it with me.
Kettle’s on and I just have time to tell you that I have lots more wonderful walks to share this week before it boils. Details of how to join in are on my Jo’s Monday walk page. A click on the logo should do it. Thanks to all of you, old friends and new. Bring on the walks!
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Violet Sky was first to share this week, with such a good-looking lighthouse, too!
And Anabel is going for broke- 3 for the price of 1!!!
Exotic Wats and stupas all the way from Thailand, with Junk Boat Travels :
And Jesh has me wanting a goat’s life in Zion National Park!
Quite a few wild orchids down Eastbourne way. Cheers, Geoff!
Eastbourne to Birling Gap and back
Can’t you almost feel the rain dripping down your neck with Ruth?
Jude is taking me to unknown parts of Cornwall this week. Please bring a walking pole for safety!
Drake is dallying by the water (in his element). A peaceful and idyllic place to be :
Keeping an eye out for bears seems a good idea when you’re in the woods! Please say ‘hi’ to Woman’s Eye View :
Gilly has a lovely new look! Have you seen it yet?
Strolling the garden in the wood
And a beautiful garden sequel. Don’t miss it! Even the title is beautiful!
Falling for a silver pear at Knightshayes
Pauline’s gone all modern and high rise on us. Come and look (if you’ve a head for heights)!
And take a peak at what’s in store for the future :
That’s it for another week! Hope you can join me next Monday. In the meantime you could do worse than pop in to Monday Escapes. Happy walking!
restlessjo 
Haha it is true that the name does not sound inviting, but the photos certainly are! I really like the colors of the wet sand where the channel mets the sea 🙂
I haven’t published any walk since Christchurch but hopefully I’ll join with a new walk soon.
Have a nice week!
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Just your company is fine, Laia 🙂 I always enjoy that. The week’s looking promising- you too! 🙂
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i agree about the name but what a amazing place it is! beautiful images of beach and the sea! lovely walk as always, Jo! thank you for sharing both awesome shots and history 🙂
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I didn’t know exactly what to expect when I went up that way, LolaWi, so it was a lovely surprise. I really loved that bit of coast. Thanks for joining me 🙂
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I can understand your happiness in seeing this place. Stunning comes to mind and your photos are postcard perfect! #MondayEscapes
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Thank you very much, Merlinda! I haven’t had time to visit any of the ‘escapers’ yet this week, but I will. 🙂 Glad you enjoyed this.
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I agree – it’s not the most inspiring name for a place, but the views of the sea more than make up for it! Thanks for another delightful walk.
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I was very pleasantly surprised when we started to look around. I’d only driven by on a rainy day previously. That beach was a revelation! Speaking of weather- I hope it’s being kind to you? The golf at St. Andrews was a bit of a disaster 😦
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It’s kind here at the moment, but I am still at home! I travel on Thursday, so good weather from then, for a week, would be nice although I have had a look at the forecast for the end of the week and it’s not looking promising. 😦
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Don’t worry- I’ll have a word with the cloud fairies 🙂
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Thank you – that would be lovely. 🙂
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I’m beginning to think I may be homesick for the sea. Your photos are wonderful, especially the first one where the channel meets the sea, with that beautifully placed clump of grass. The history is fascinating, and it sounds to me as if you’ve shaped Wikipedia nicely to your own voice.
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You can feel my heart leaping in that shot 🙂 I really hadn’t anticipated such a beautiful outlet to the sea, Meg. If life were only full of golden moments like that… But I’ve had my share in this past week or so. And I’ve tried to take you along with me. Thank you for making it all worthwhile. 🙂
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I always learn so much from your walks Jo! I also think it’s really interesting to learn about place names. Excellent post!
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This one was full of surprises for me too, Meg. 🙂 I found the history quite fascinating. Thanks a lot!
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I really enjoyed the walk today, Jo. Really liked learning about the Sluice and the Delavals. The photos are terrific. It is not often one finds numerous boats completely stranded by the low tide like this, it makes for cool photos.
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Thanks very much, Jet! 🙂 It’s not an area I know much about and I found it quite fascinating, too.
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I absolutely love the rich history of this place, Jo. Imagine all the stories people could tell from living there over the ages. I also love that house and could easily imagine living there 😉
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Me too, but the owner’s dog didn’t find me a suitable candidate, Dianne. 😦
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Hi, Jo! I hope you don’t mind that I’ve joined in for your morning walks. Yours always inspire me, and your tour through Seaton Sluice is breathtaking. Here’s my link (I hope it actually links!) Back to the Garden, and a Monday Walk Talk to you soon!
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Hi, Elisa! 🙂 What a lovely surprise! I was just about to shut up shop and head for the bath with my book when I spotted your comment. Thank you very much 🙂 That’s wonderful.
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Ahhh, now you can go relax. I envy you, I’m just gearing up to start dinner and create the big mess in the kitchen. Enjoy!
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No mess, no eating in this house 🙂 🙂
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Ha, I like a “no eating rule.” I’m not sure if there’d be any followers in this house. Sigh.
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This is another lovely place, so much world and not enough time! We have a Seaton in Devon and a few miles into Dorset there’s a Seatown!
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I know of Seaton in Devon but don’t think I’ve ever been, Gilly. I bet it’s a lot warmer than ours, though this was actually a lovely day. 🙂
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I’ve just come back from a place called Seaton in Devon, and we didn’t have blue skies like in your Seaton 😦
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Luck of the draw, Richard! Forecast’s not great this week but we grab any summer we can 🙂
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What a great walk, Jo. I could almost smell that sea air. The house is so fabulous. I wonder who is lucky enough to live there and tend the quirky garden? Great photos again, and those leg muscles must be very strong with all the walking you do. 🙂
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There was a little dog on guard at the gate, Ad. He wasn’t fond of visitors 😦 (or cameras 🙂 ). Thanks, darlin’. Sometimes the legs hold up better than others. This walk was pretty easy.
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Your opening sentence reflects exactly what I was thinking when I saw the header – Seaton Sluice is not the most inviting of place names. But it is a lovely spot and I enjoyed seeing it through your eyes. 😉
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I like it when a place exceeds expectations 🙂 Many thanks for your company!
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oh my I do miss the ocean! Thanks for the gorgeous views!
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So welcome, Kathe! It’s a fabulous bit of coast if you get the weather 🙂
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Great images Jo – now that is one walk I really should do!
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You can walk to Seaton Delaval Hall, half a mile away, and that’s really worth seeing too, Robin. (or drive, as we did 🙂 ) Cheers! You’ll be watching St. Andrews?
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I should be/would be but the Norwegians don’t seem to know about it. All I can see is the leader board 😦
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Awwh! Forgot you were away. 3 way play off over 4 holes. Weather has been diabolical there today. You’re better off where you are 🙂
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It’s fun to think how my ocean connects with yours. Did you stay for the change of tide? I imagine that is quite dramatic.
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Sorry to disappoint, Susan, but we didn’t. 😦 I wanted to make a return visit to Seaton Delaval Hall, and I’m glad we did. (and not just for the chocolate cake 🙂 )
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No you’re right, it isn’t the most appealing of names is it! But what a wonderful walk. I do love your coastal strolls, makes me want to be by the sea.
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And me! Perhaps not so much today 😦 It’s a little gloomy 🙂 Thank you!
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I agree with Jude, your walk is getting better and better. Enjoy these beautiful beach images, Jo. I did a cruising the Lake Powell post, but no walking. 🙂 I should have my Banff photos organized soon. I recall reading your comment while we were at the airport to Banff, didn’t get a chance to reply…
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No worries, Amy! 🙂 I can’t remember the last time my photos were organised 🙂 I just appreciate your presence whenever you can make it, and your posts when you can’t. Thanks a lot!
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Fabulous pictures and history! I’m looking forward to more!
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Many thanks! I enjoyed finding out a little of the history too 🙂
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