Durham Heritage Coast · World-Famous Sea Glass Beach

Discover Seaham

A coastal gem on the Durham Heritage Coast, Seaham is home to one of the world's greatest sea glass beaches, a rich industrial and literary heritage, and the iconic Tommy memorial — all set against the dramatic North Sea.

Sea Glass Guide Explore History
Seaham, County Durham
World-famous Sea Glass Beach
Over 1,000 years of history
Lord Byron married here, 1815
The Glass Beach

One of the World's Great Sea Glass Beaches

Seaham Hall Beach holds a remarkable secret: beneath the pebbles lie millions of fragments of sea glass — tumbled, frosted, and polished by over a century of North Sea waves.

The glass originates from the Londonderry Bottle Works, which operated from 1853 to 1921 and was once the largest bottle factory in Europe. Every day, waste glass was tipped into the sea. Today, those fragments have become treasures — with uniquely patterned, multicoloured "end of day" glass found nowhere else on earth.

Full Sea Glass Guide

Teal & Aqua

Beautifully frosted, the signature colour of Seaham

Common

Sea Green

Multiple shades from pale mint to deep emerald

Common

Ocean Blue

Pale blue to rich aqua, from cobalt additions

Uncommon

Amber

Warm golden tones from iron-rich glass batches

Less Common

Multi / End of Day

Swirled colours — unique to Seaham, most prized

Rare & Unique

Cobalt Blue

Deep, intense blue — a special find

Rare
Explore Seaham

Everything You Need to Know

From tidal guides to dining recommendations — plan your perfect visit to Seaham.

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Sea Glass Guide

When to go, where to look, what you'll find
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History

Byron, the Londonderrys, mining heritage
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Eat & Drink

Fish & chips, seafront cafés, fine dining
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Around Seaham

Durham Cathedral, Dalton Park, Beamish
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The Town Today

Tommy statue, harbour, local life
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Getting Here

Car, train, bus, and parking guide
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Where to Stay

Cosy rooms to five-star spa hotels
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Tide Guide

Plan your visit around the perfect tides
Seaham in Pictures

A Town Worth Seeing

From the pebbled shore of Seaham Hall Beach to the quiet harbour and the watching figure of Tommy — Seaham rewards those who explore.

Aerial view looking north along the Seaham coastline, town and cliffs
Seaham from Above The Durham Heritage Coast looking north
Aerial drone view of Seaham town and coastline
The Town Seaham and its dramatic coastline
Aerial view of Seaham Harbour and marina
Seaham Harbour The historic harbour from above
Aerial view looking south along the Durham Heritage Coast from Seaham
The Durham Heritage Coast Miles of unspoilt coastline stretching south
Seaham's sandy beach with cliffs and the North Sea
Seaham Hall Beach The world-famous sea glass shore
Northern Lights dancing over the North Sea at Seaham
Northern Lights Aurora Borealis over the North Sea

All photos © visitseaham.co.uk — taken in and around Seaham, County Durham

Seaham's Beloved Landmark

Tommy — The Soldier Who Captured a Nation

He arrived in Seaham in 2014, and the people refused to let him go. The nine-foot corten steel Tommy, officially titled 1101 (Eleven-O-One), sits quietly on Terrace Green by the seafront, his head bowed in quiet contemplation.

The name refers to the first minute after the Armistice — 11:01am on 11 November 1918. Sculpted by County Durham artist Ray Lonsdale from weathering steel, Tommy was meant to be a temporary display. Seaham's community raised £102,000 to keep him permanently. Beneath the paved plinth lies a time capsule containing Ray's own letter, children's artworks, and a Victory Medal.

The Town Today
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"The people of Seaham claimed Tommy as their own — and he became part of the town's soul."

9ft 5in
Height
1.2t
Weight
£102k
Community raised
2014
First displayed
Plan Your Visit

Timing is Everything

The best sea glass hunting happens at low tide — especially spring tides around new and full moons, when the sea retreats furthest and new glass is revealed.

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Current Moon Phase

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Best Tides

Spring tides (new & full moon) expose the most beach. Arrive as the tide is going out for the freshest finds.

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Best Time of Day

Early morning, before other collectors arrive. Winter dawns on a windswept beach are magical — and productive.

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Best Season

Winter and early spring. Fewer visitors, frequent storms churn up fresh glass, and the beach hasn't been picked over.

Today's Seaham Tide Times Full Sea Glass Guide → Tide data provided by TideTimes.co.uk
Literary History

Lord Byron Married Here

On 2 February 1815, the poet Lord Byron married Annabella Milbanke in the upstairs drawing room of Seaham Hall. Their daughter, born of this union, was Ada Lovelace — mathematician, visionary, and the world's first computer programmer. Byron called Seaham home for a short but significant chapter of his turbulent life.

Explore the History
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Est. 8th Century

Plan Your Visit

Ready to Discover Seaham?

Whether you're coming for the sea glass, the history, or simply the bracing North Sea air — Seaham will stay with you.

Getting Here Where to Stay