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Seaton Sluice


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#1 Guest_Steve Ellwood_*

Guest_Steve Ellwood_*
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Posted 18 August 2009 - 01:39 PM

Satelitte view of Seaton Sluice (Northumberland - North East England) courtesy of Google Earth.

Seaton Sluice is situated half a mile north of, and formed part of, the old village of Hartley, of which the earliest records date from 1097, when it was in the possession of the monks of Tynemouth. Hartley was the name given to the whole of the area between the Brier Dene at Whitley and the Seaton Burn on the Blyth coastal road.

In the early years, apart from the Rivers Tyne and Tweed, there were no natural harbours along the Northumbrian coastline and so with the growth of the coal trade it became a necessity to develop new ports. Although Seaton Sluice was mentioned in 1565 in a drawn-up list of Northumbrian ports, it was then just a natural harbour.

Just over 200 years ago Seaton Sluice became the centre of a flourishing coal and glass trade, exporting to western Europe, and for its size was the centre of greater commercial activity than any other town on the North East coast with ships of up to 300 tons burden visiting the tiny harbour. It was from the 30-odd pits in the district near Hartley township.

Located roughly between Whitley Bay and Blyth, the small harbour at Seaton Sluice is nowadays home to mostly pleasure craft, former fishing boats etc.

Plenty to do in Seaton Sluice so worth a mosey around.

Points of interest are:

1. Seaton Sluice Harbour.

2. Rocky Island - used to be covered with fishermen's cottages.

3. The Cut - this was the lock to bring ships into the harbour - hand cut.

4. Kings Arms - good beer and grub.

5. Waterford Arms - great restaurant - cod the size of whales!

6. Seaton Sluice Club - CIU Members Only.

7. Fish and Chip Shop - takeaway or eat in!

8. Higher harbour.

9. Melton Constable - locally known as the 'sweating copper' - good beer and food. Ray Kennedy the Liverpool player used to own the pub at one stage.

Accommodation is available at the Waterford Arms and there are loads of digs available in nearby Whitley Bay.

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