Blyth & Seaton Sluice links and foreshore

The dune system between Blyth and Seaton Sluice is a Local Nature Reserve (LNR) and is recognised nationally for its diverse plant species. 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.

Access through the dunes is via a well surfaced track, which is suitable for wheelchairs and buggies. Horses are not allowed on the track or dune system but there is horse access across the track to the beach at The Ranch car park and at Fountain Head.

No motorised vehicles are allowed on the dunes or the beach and no camping or overnight parking is allowed on the beach, dunes or any of the links car parks.

The dune system is fragile and visitors are asked to respect the wildlife and especially the dune faces. Damage to the vegetation and the dune face can quickly escalate and threaten the integrity of the dunes, which are our first line of sea defence.

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.

No fires or barbecues are allowed on 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. Contact the coastal warden for more information.

There are no permit requirements to fish in the sea. Details of size limits and protected species are available from the Northumberland Inshore Fisheries Conservation Authority.

Drone use
Launching drones from County Council land is only allowed with the consent of the Council and where a formal license agreement has been signed. The council reserves the right to refuse consent and where consent is granted will require evidence of your Civil Aviation Training Certificate and public liability insurance.

The three toilet blocks on the links all have disabled toilet facilities, accessed with a Radar key. The surfaced dunes track and promenade are accessible to wheelchair users and there are numerous seats along the walkways.

The Blyth lifeguard and swimming club operate a beach lifeguard service during the summer from the 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 lifebuoys and other public rescue equipment along the coast.

Wear something on your feet when you go into the sea and wear sun block or cover up.

Don’t leave your litter behind. Follow the seaside code:

• leave only footprints
• take only pictures
• keep only memories
• waste nothing but time

The Blyth Personal Watercraft (Jet Ski) club operates the launch facility for members 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. The harbour has some mooring facilities, although it is restricted by its tidal nature.

Visits from social and community groups are welcome, but 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, so please phone first.

Many educational visits are made to the area each year. A range of activities are available for many age groups. A small charge is made for accompanied school visits.

Blyth Battery Museum is a scheduled ancient monument consisting of the most complete set of First World War coastal defence structures left on the coast of Great Britain. There is a tea room and museum and several of the buildings are open to the public on weekends during the summer. The museum is open from Easter to the end of October, weekends and occasional days. Entry is free. Group and school visits can be booked with Blyth Battery volunteers on the Blyth Battery website or by calling 07881462284.

The Watch House Museum at Seaton Sluice is on Rocky Island, accessible via a footbridge in front of the King’s Arms. It is the old Seaton Sluice volunteer lifesaving brigade’s watch house and tells the story of their daring rescues on the local coast.

Both museums are run by volunteer groups and have seasonal opening hours with organised walks and events during the summer.