Blyth and Seaton Sluice Links and Foreshore
Blyth Links and Foreshore
Overview
Located between Blyth and the county boundary at Seaton Sluice,
the 5km of bays, links and foreshore offer something for everyone
who wants to visit the beautiful Northumberland coast. A bay of
golden sand, dunes and rock pools to explore, and the chance to
spot some spectacular wildlife along the coastline.
Blyth and hartley links LNR
The dune system between Blyth and Seaton
Sluice, is a local nature reserve, and is recognised nationally for
its diverse flora and fauna. The dunes attract many migrant birds
both in spring and autumn and have good communities of reptiles and
invertebrates that are regionally and nationally important. The
plant communities reflect past management of the area especially at
the southern end where non native species like “Price of Wales Tea
Tree” and rarities like “Bee Orchids” can be found. In all,
four species of “Orchid” and five species of “Cranesbills” or wild
Geraniums can be found amongst the numerous wild flowers and
grasses growing on the dunes.
Access through the dunes is via a well
surfaced track, which is part of the National Cycleway network. The
path is well used by walkers, joggers and cyclists and is suitable
for wheelchairs and buggies. The track can be accessed from the
main car parks and provides easy access for everyone to enjoy.
Horses are not allowed on the track or the dune system but there is
horse access across the track onto the beach at The Ranch car park
toilets in the middle of the bay and at Fountain Head. Both
horse accesses are marked by signs on the beach and on the dunes.
No motorised vehicles are allowed on the dunes or the beach, and no
camping or overnight parking is allowed on the beach the dunes or
in any of the links car parks.
The dune system is also very fragile, and
visitors are asked to respect the wildlife and especially the
fragile dune faces. Damage to the vegetation and the dune
face can quickly escalate and threaten the integrity of the dunes
that are our first line of sea defence.
Car parks and toilets
Five car parks serve the area, two at Seaton
Sluice, two at Blyth, and one on the coast road in between.
The three larger car parks all have public toilet facilities.
Fires and barbecues
No fires or barbecues are allowed in the
dunes. Barbecues may be used on the beach with the Coastal Warden’s
permission and there is a permit system in place for organised
barbecues. Full details are available from the Coastal Warden.
Group visits
Visits from social and community groups are
welcome, unfortunately staff time is not normally available to
guide visits without prior special arrangements. If you intend to
bring a large group, you may require arranged use of facilities,
please phone first.
Outdoor classroom
Many educational visits are made to the area
each year. It is an idea place to bring your children for a great
day out, meeting the wondrous creature that live where the land
meets the sea. A range of activities are available for both KS1 and
2 as well as GCSE & AS level Geography and Biology. A small
charge is made for accompanied school visits.
Visitors with disabilities
The three toilet blocks on the links all have
disabled toilet facilities accessed with a “radar key”. The
surfaced dunes track and promenade mean wheelchair users can access
the area with their families, and there are numerous seats along
the walkways.
Water sports, boating and recreation
Power craft sports are popular in the bay,
with the Blyth Personal Watercraft (Jet Ski) Club Operating the
launch facility for members only at the north end of the promenade.
Surfing and Sea Kayaking are popular in the bay, with the Blyth
Kayak Club based in the old “Engine House” part of the wartime
structures. Kite surfers are encouraged to launch from the beach
behind the Ranch car park, away from the main bathing areas and
powered craft. Boats may be launched from Seaton Sluice Harbour
with a permit and the harbour also has some mooring facilities,
though it is restricted by its tidal nature.
Local attractions
The Wartime structures at Blyth links have
been recently refurbished and a museum telling their own and
Blyth’s wartime story has been opened in the “Magazine”
building.
The “Watch House” museum at Seaton Sluice is
on Rocky Island, access via the footbridge in front of the Kings
Arms, is the old Seaton Sluice Volunteer Life Saving Brigades Watch
House, and tells the story of their daring rescues from ships
stricken on the local coast. Both museums are run by volunteer
groups and have seasonal opening hours with organised walks and
events during the summer.
Safety information
The bay has long been popular with families
spending the day on the beach, building sand castles and bathing in
the sea, the Blyth Lifeguard and swimming club operate a beach
Lifeguard service during the summer from the new “Dave Stevens
Centre”, a purpose built facility at Blyth South Beach. The
club cover the whole bay and provide lifeguards at weekends only.
There are numerous lifebuoys and other public rescue equipment
sited all along the coast, remember, they are there to rescue
people from drowning, and are not toys or souvenirs to be taken
away.
To enjoy a day at the beach there are a few
simple rules to follow so everyone goes home safe:
- Wear something on your feet when you go into
the sea, there are a lot of things you can stand on that may mean a
trip to the hospital.
- Sun Block! An essential for everyone at the beach, especial the
little ones, children’s skin burns easily, a tee-shirt is
better!
- We don’t have sharks or anything nasty like that. You are
the most dangerous thing in our sea!
Don’t leave your litter behind, follow the seaside code:
- Leave only footprints
- Take only pictures
- Keep only memories
- Waste nothing but time.
- Enjoy your day at the beach.
Contact information
Contact the Coastal Warden:
Telephone: 01670 797323
Mobile: 07932440838
The Warden is based in “Fort House Education Resource centre”
South Beach, Blyth, NE24 3PQ. Postal address Countryside Access and
Recreation Team, Northumberland County Council, County Hall,
Morpeth, NE61 2EF.
Other country parks in the area
