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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.
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Seaham
Fun Shack Unit 1, Hall Dene Way, Seaham Grange Industrial Estate, Seaham
