Durham Heritage Coast
The success of the Turning the Tide Project on Durham’s waste choked beaches is well known. Because of this inspiring programme and the work of the local communities on the coast we now boast one of the best coastal paths in the country.
The coastline is the newest Heritage Coast in the United Kingdom, a major achievement given our industrial past. Heritage Coasts cover England’s most beautiful and undeveloped stretches of coastline and are managed so that their natural beauty is conserved for future generations.
A Brief History of the Heritage Coast
Durham’s coastal environment was devastated by the industrial use of the coastal zone through the mining industry throughout the 20th Century. Wildlife and habitat suffered heavily, discouraging visitors and leaving the local communities with little sense of pride, much of the coast became derelict.The area suffered from widespread social and economic deprivation since the closure of coal mines in the early 1990’s.
Turning the Tide
This heavily degraded coastline emphasised the deprivation of the area until a partnership of 14 organisations came together between 1997-2002 to regenerate the coast of Durham. The Turning the Tide Partnership successfully regenerated and cleaned up the coastal strip. The Turning the Tide Project, a £10 million programme of environmental improvements, was implemented through a hundred separate projects. The original programme aims of Turning the Tide Project were:- To restore, enhance and conserve the environmental quality of the Durham Coast.
- To encourage sustainable use and enjoyment of the Durham Coast.
- To rekindle local pride and a sense of ownership of the Durham Coast.
Exploring the Heritage Coast
From the wide open beaches and dunes of Crimdon to the shoreline rock pools along the coast, there is something to discover. Blackhall has rockpools to be explored, birdwatchers will find reward whatever the season – from resident skylarks on the clifftops to migrants such as little terns and purple sandpipers. The underwater realm also attracts visitors from sea anglers attracted to some of the UK’s best shore fishing to divers exploring the many wrecks off the coast providing information on our hidden past.The coast has much to offer from its wild flowers, varied bird life, superb coastal walk, dramatic scenery and its rich history. It is an area in which to walk, cycle, explore or just to take time out from our busy lives.
Looking After the Heritage Coast
A new Partnership is steering the future of the coast, made up of land owners and managers, local authorities and government agencies and with representation from coastal communities. A small management team is based in County Hall. By working as a partnership much more can be achieved than by the organisations working independentlyVision
"Integrated management of Durham Heritage Coast by and for local communities, which protects the natural and cultural integrity of the area whilst developing and meeting the area’s social and economic needs".Members of the Durham Heritage Coast Partnership are expected to:
- Work for the conservation, protection and enhancement of the whole of the Heritage Coast.
- Champion the Partnership’s vision for the Heritage Coast and its communities, as set out in the Heritage Coast Management Plan.
- Contribute knowledge, expertise and experience to the work of the Partnership.
- Assist the Partnership in achieving an independent and apolitical profile in the performance of its functions.
Promotion
The improving environment will be used to promote this previously uncelebrated part of Britain, attracting visitors to the area and enabling people to rediscover its landscape and views and reclaim it as their own.A family of publications has been produced to promote the new facilities and identify points of interest. Waymarking along the coast makes the coastal footpaths and cycle routes easy to follow. Award winning interpretation and commissioned artwork with a high level of local community participation, has been used to stimulate interest. Car access to the coast has been improved without creating new access points. Approach roads and car parks have been redesigned and regenerated. For public transport information call Traveline on tel: 0871 200 22 33 (open daily 7.00am to 9.00pm)
The success of Turning the Tide provided the framework for the Heritage Coast definition and the foundation of the changing management structure for the area. The area was officially given Heritage Coast status in April 2001 by the Countryside Agency.
Education and Community Involvement
A forum/conference is held annually to provide an opportunity for a wider range of local and community interests to input to the management of the area.In addition, time-limited, small specialist working groups may be formed as and when necessary to assist with or provide guidance upon specific projects and initiatives. These would provide the opportunity for a wide range of individuals and interest groups to become actively involved in the management of the coast.
The Heritage Coast can also aid schools by visiting to give talks/presentations and helping to organise field trips to the Coast. The Heritage Coast also has an Education Pack which is aimed at Key Stage 1 and 2 of the National Curriculum. Please contact the team on the e-mail address or telephone number below for an informal chat.
How to Find Out More
Local Tourist Information Centres stock a number of our leaflets about the coast, from coastal footpaths to Christian heritage or visit our website at www.durhamheritagecoast.org. You can also contact the team on tel: 0191 383 4640 or by emailing: heritagecoast@durham.gov.uk. Contact the Heritage Coast Partnership by email or see the Heritage Coast website at www.durhamheritagecoast.org.See other Environmental Projects.
