Seaton Burn can be explored through two distinct themes: Big Waters and its habitats, and the traces of mining and the wagonway. Memorial and church history add another perspective. When planning your trip, you can therefore distinguish whether you are mainly interested in nature and wildlife or in the historical development of the area.
Big Waters: habitats and fishing spot
Big Waters is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). It is home to the region’s largest subsidence pond; its varied habitats support numerous animal species. The natural environment here encompasses not only the water but also the different habitats. If you take protected areas and wildlife into account when choosing a destination, you will find a clear focus here.
The large pond in Big Waters Country Park is a fishing spot managed by the Big Waters Angling Club. This brings a specific use into view alongside its protected status and habitats. If you plan to fish, check the applicable rules in advance; they may change.
Wagonway and Seaton Burn Colliery
Seaton Burn Colliery was the last colliery to be connected to the wagonway system, in 1837. The colliery opened around 1844 and closed on 17 August 1963. These dates mark different milestones: 1837 for the connection to the system, around 1844 for the opening, and 1963 for the closure.
A section of the wagonway from Seaton Burn to the Tyne staiths was converted to standard gauge around 1867. The stated gauge is 4 feet 8½ inches. The Seaton Burn Wagonway also ran over the former Brunton & Shields Railway. The industrial history therefore covers both dates relating to the colliery’s operation and details about the route and technical alteration of a section of wagonway.
The former Seaton Burn Colliery site is now a business park; later workshops are considered to be the only surviving buildings. Brenkley Drift was the last producing element of the long-running colliery site. The inclined track leading to it still survives, and the locations of the drift entrance and the pumping and ventilation shaft can be identified. These features provide concrete structural and landscape reference points for the mining history.
Memorial and church history
The Seaton Burn War Memorial was unveiled on 8 July 1922. Two other dates are important to the church history: the original St Columba’s Church in Seaton Burn dated from 1859. St Columba’s Church in Wideopen held its first services in 1983.
The church in Wideopen replaced two older churches, one in nearby Seaton Burn and one in Woodland Park. The dates therefore mark different events: 1859 dates the original church in Seaton Burn, while 1983 marks the start of services in Wideopen. Together with the War Memorial, these church-related details complement the colliery and wagonway history with memorials and local religious history.
Different focuses for your stay
The themes can be grouped by interest: Big Waters represents a protected area, habitats and wildlife; the colliery and wagonway represent mining and technological development; the memorial and churches represent remembrance and church history. If you are looking for hotels in Seaton Burn, you can first consider which of these perspectives matters most for your stay.
Discover more destinations: Washington, Whickham, East Boldon, Holystone, New Herrington, Hebburn, North Shields.
Return to the main travel overview: Tyne And Wear.
