A safe haven for boats and families
The multi-award-winning Seaham Harbour Marina is County Durham’s one and only marina, offering significant opportunitiesforwater-sports and leisure-based activities.
The marina provides facilities for up to 100 boats, slipway and accommodation for overnight visiting boats.
A secluded sandy beach provides an excellent safe haven for family visits.
The Waterside Building hosts a selection of businesses while the marina is home to the historic George Elmy Lifeboat, which is located in the East Durham Heritage and Visitor Centre.
The redevelopment of the dock was one of the key objectives of the Seaham Regeneration Strategy, undertaken in 1994.
It was agreed, the most appropriate way to bring about the restoration of North Dock was for it to be developed as a marina for local fishing vessels, leisure craft, and as a visitor attraction.
In recent years, Durham County Council has worked with Seaham Harbour Dock Company, Friends of North Dock Seaham and the local community to bring about the regeneration of Seaham North Dock.
The construction of the harbour at Seaham began in 1828 and was completed in 1831. It was created and owned by the Marquess of Londonderrytofacilitatetheshipment of coal from his East Durham coal mines.
The harbour was further developed in 1898 with extensions which included the addition of the North and South outer breakwaters.
The North Dock was designed as a high tide harbour in which the coal ships entered at high tide, the dock gates were then closed to retain the depths required, then the laden ships departed at high tide.
Duetotheconstantdamage to the dock gates they were removed in 1952 and the North Dock became a small fishing harbour which dried out on low tides.
Coal exports were then concentrated to the larger and deeper South Dock.
After the demise of the pits and the decline of the fishing industry through the 1990s, the North Dock fell into a semi derelict state. By 2005 there were only four fishing boats left operating from the North Dock.