Seaham tourist information

Seaham lies on the North Sea coastline, 13 miles east of the city of Durham and 6 miles south of Sunderland.

The small town grew up around the harbour and was formerley known as Seaham Harbour.

Until the early 19th century Seaham was a small farming settlement and its only claim to fame was that in January 1815 the local landowner's daughter, Anne Isabella Milbanke, married Lord Byron. The romantic poet wrote his 'Hebrew Melodies' at Seaham (published in April 1815).

In 1828 a harbour was built to transport goods from local industries, with Seaham's first colliery sending coal in 1845.  The harbour soon proved to be inadequate and in 1905 it was deepened and extended.  Seaham eventually had three working coal mines but by 1992 these had all closed.

Following the closures the town suffered high unemployment and a severely depressed economy.

Only in recent years has there been some recovery.

Seaham lies at the northern end of Durham's coastline. A regeneration programme called 'Turning the Tide' has transformed this heavily degraded coastline and in 2001 it was designated a Heritage Coast.

Seaham's beach, one of the best in the UK, has been completely restored.

The town's beautifully renovated promenade and extended esplanade provide wonderful opportunities for walking along the cliffs.

Seaham Hall, where Lord Bryon and Anne Isabella Milbanke were married, is now an internationaly renowned luxury hotel.

Located throughout Seaham are a variety of artworks and attractive interpretive features. Visitors can view some of these when walking the 'Seaham Time Line' from Seaham Beech Car Park to Seaham Harbour.

In 2007 a new shopping complex was opened with the aim of revitalising the town.  The retail centre is named Byron's Place in honour of town's links with the romantic poet.