Access to your Coast

  1. Home
  2. Access to your Coast

In south Sunderland you can access the coast at few points between Hendon to the north and Ryhope to the south.  The England Coast Path runs the length of the clifftop; and a little further inland, National Cycle Network Route 1 passes through Ryhope Village. Bus services stop along the coastal roads between Sunderland and Seaham; and you can find two coastal car parks at Hendon Beach and another at Seaham Hall. The nearest active railway stations are in Sunderland and at Seaham; and the Tyne and Wear Metro stops at Sunderland and Park Lane Interchange.

Access to beaches is limited and you should take care near cliffs, be aware of tides and avoid disturbing birds and other wildlife as much as possible.  During the winter, birds need to feed regularly to survive. Disturbance from walking, dogs and other recreational activities can reduce feeding times for birds and significantly reduce their ability to survive. Rocky shore and sandy beaches are important areas where birds such as purple sandpiper and turnstone feed and rest.

Car parks and access points to the Coast – nearest postcode and ordnance survey grid reference

Hendon Promenade – SR2 8QR or NZ41095551
Hendon (Ocean Road) – SR2 9SB or NZ41135489
Ryhope Village – SR2 0NR or NZ41385288
Seaham Hall Beach – SR7 7AF or NZ42205079

Access
Access
Access

For more information on local public transport networks contact:

Keep yourself safe

Here is a list of a few things you should and shouldn’t do when visiting the coast, to help make your experience as safe and enjoyable as possible.

Do check the weather before your trip – high winds can bring in the tide very quickly.

Do wear appropriate clothing and footwear and remember; it’s often colder at the coast than inland.

Do check tide times so you don’t get caught out.

Do keep a watch on the water’s edge to allow time to get back safely.

Do take notice of any warning signs and abide by them.

Do keep both hands free when climbing over rocks, as seaweed can make rocks very slippery.

Don’t go near cliff edges, walk underneath them or climb on them as they can be unstable.

Don’t throw anything off a cliff or at people or animals.

Don’t go into the sea in rough water as waves can easily sweep you away.

Don’t go into the sea deeper than knee height.

Don’t walk on rocks in bare feet as they can cut you. It is advisable to always wear footwear on the beach because of jellyfish, glass and other sharp objects.

Don’t touch any bottles, drums or unusual containers on the beach in case they contain toxic substances. Report them to your local authority.

England Coast Path (ECP)

The England Coast Path (ECP) will be the longest managed waymarked path in the world when completed; approximately 2795 miles in length. The North East section starts on the Scottish border running down to the Wash on the Norfolk-Lincolnshire border.

For more information on the England Coast Path and in particular the Sunderland section, follow the link to: https://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/england-coast-path-ne.

National Cycle Network

The National Cycle Network is a series of traffic-free paths and quiet, on-road cycling and walking routes that connect to every major town and city in the UK. Routes local to the Coast and Sunderland are National Route 1, which connects Dover and the Shetland Islands – via the east coast of England and Scotland; and National Route 7, which includes two-thirds of the Sea to Sea (C2C) and links Sunderland and Inverness.

Learn more about National Cycle Network, its history, ownership and maintenance, and routes local to you, at: https://www.sustrans.org.uk/ncn/map/national-cycle-network.

Join the Coast Ranger at one of our Coastal Events

You can find out whats happening on our event page.  If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.

Menu