Planning Your Journey

Getting to Seaham

Seaham is well connected by road, rail, and bus — sitting just off the A19 with its own railway station on the Durham Coast Line.

6 miles south of Sunderland
13 miles east of Durham City
20 miles south of Newcastle
8 miles north of Hartlepool
Getting Here

By Road, Rail & Bus

🚗 By Car

Seaham is easily reached from the A19 — the main north-south road artery of the North East coast.

  • From the A19: Take the A182 east at the Seaham/Houghton junction and follow signs to Seaham seafront.
  • From Durham City: Head east on the A181 or A182, approximately 25–30 minutes.
  • From Sunderland: Head south on the A183 coast road or the A19/A182, 15–20 minutes.
  • Sat nav: Use postcode SR7 7AG for the town centre, or SR7 7AQ for the seafront / North Beach car park.

🚂 By Train

Seaham has its own railway station on the Durham Coast Line, operated by Northern Trains.

  • Station code: SEA  ·  Station Road, Seaham, SR7 0XX
  • Services: Hourly between Newcastle and Middlesbrough/Nunthorpe
  • From Newcastle: Approximately 34 minutes
  • From Sunderland: Approximately 12 minutes
  • From Hartlepool: Approximately 15 minutes
  • The station is unstaffed but has self-service ticket machines and step-free access.
  • Grand Central also serve Seaham with four trains per day in each direction, including links towards London.

🚌 By Bus

Several Arriva and Go North East bus services connect Seaham with Sunderland, Durham, and surrounding towns.

  • Key routes: 22, 60, 61, 65, 71
  • From Sunderland: Frequent connections, approximately 25–30 minutes
  • From Durham City: Services available, allow 45–60 minutes
  • Services stop at the town centre, with a walk of approximately 10–15 minutes to the seafront.
  • Check current timetables at Traveline North East or the Moovit app before travelling.
Car Parking

Where to Park

Durham County Council introduced paid parking at Seaham's seafront car parks in April 2024. Parking charges operate Monday to Sunday, 8am–6pm.

Parking charges: £1 for up to 1 hour  ·  £3 for over 1 hour. These apply at all six seafront car parks listed below, Monday–Sunday, 8am–6pm. Free parking is available in the town centre, a short 10–15 minute walk from the seafront.

Seaham Hall Car Park
Surrounds the North Beach coffee bar · closest to sea glass beach · SR7 7AQ
Charges apply
Terrace Green
Adjacent to Tommy statue · most central seafront location · part of car park is FREE (historic covenant)
Part paid / part free
Dock Top
Opposite Bell's Fish & Chips on North Terrace · convenient for town centre and seafront
Charges apply
Nose's Point
Access to Blast Beach and the Durham Heritage Coast path · off A182, SR7 7PT
Charges apply
Seaham Marina
At the harbour and marina · access to The Coxswain sculpture and waterfront walk
Charges apply
Vane Tempest
South end of the seafront · access to coast path south
Charges apply
Town Centre (free)
Multiple free car parks in the town centre, including near Byron Place · 10–15 min walk to seafront
FREE

Tip for Sea Glass Hunters

For the shortest walk to Seaham Hall Beach (the main sea glass beach), the Seaham Hall Car Park is the most convenient — it's essentially at the beach. If you want to avoid the charge and don't mind a short walk, park in the town centre and head north along the coast path. On a crisp winter morning, the walk along the cliff top is a pleasure in itself.

You're Almost There

All Roads Lead to Seaham

Once you're here, park up and explore on foot — the beach, Tommy, the harbour, and the café are all close together.

Where to Eat Where to Stay