Seaham Beach

Our day at Seaham

My girlfriend and I visited Seaham Beach on 18th November 2024 as part of a short trip to Northumberland. Given the cold snap gripping the region and the late-November timing, we expected Seaham Glass Beach to be relatively quiet. However, its reputation proved well-earned, and we encountered around 20 dedicated beachcombers scouring the shoreline for its famous sea glass.

Seaham itself is a fascinating place, located six miles (10 kilometres) south of Sunderland and 13 miles (21 kilometres) east of Durham. Its history is deeply tied to Charles Vane, the 3rd Marquess of Londonderry, who invested heavily in its harbour and coal mines during the late 19th century. While these developments helped Seaham flourish, Vane’s legacy is far from heroic: he was one of the fiercest proponents of child labour in the mines, advocating for children as young as eight to work underground.

Seaham’s connection to sea glass began with John Candlish, who established the Londonderry Bottleworks in 1853. At its height, it was the largest glass bottle factory in Britain, operating until 1921. Waste glass from the factory was dumped into the sea, where decades of tumbling waves transformed it into smooth, frosted pebbles. Today, these tiny remnants of history are treasured by sea glass enthusiasts from around the world.

We arrived at Seaham Beach around 12:30 pm, likely a little late to the hunt. By then, the tide had already been out for a few hours and was beginning to return. The best time to search for sea glass is just as the tide starts to recede, revealing freshly uncovered treasures. The beach itself is expansive, but experienced hunters know the best spots are in the shingle areas rather than the sand or rocks. The rocky sections just off the main pathway from Seaham Carpark seemed particularly promising, as seen in our video walkthrough to the beach. Here, about 10 people were digging and sifting through the stones in search of hidden gems.

If you’re new to Seaham Beach, let me share a few tips to make the most of your visit. First and foremost, especially if you’re travelling from afar, manage your expectations. The beach is not covered with glass pebbles waiting to be scooped up. Finding sea glass takes effort, patience, and a keen eye, especially if you’re hoping to spot the rare, multi-coloured pieces. Most of what you’ll find is small, around the size of a typical pill, but beautifully frosted and perfectly tumbled by the North Sea over the past 150 years. When I say they are froested they really are. Having spent time in other popular beaches, like Crosby Beach, nothing compares in terms of the sea glasses frost and that makes it even more special. Larger pieces can be found, but you’ll need diligence and a bit of luck.

The key is to focus on the shingle areas. Sometimes you’ll spot glass by simply walking, but your chances improve significantly if you stop, dig, and sift through the layers. Bring a bag to keep your treasures safe and a trowel for digging. And don’t forget to dress appropriately. Layers are essential for the North East weather, which can be unpredictable espially if you choose the winter late autumn months like we did.

Beyond the hunt, take time to soak in your surroundings. Seaham Beach offers a rugged beauty, and it’s worth pausing to admire the waves, the cliffs, and the history that lies beneath your feet. Chat with other sea glassers; most are happy to share stories and show off their best finds.

We spent about two hours at Seaham, braving the chilly 1°C temperatures and damp weather. Though our haul wasn’t enormous, the experience itself was deeply rewarding: a unique blend of history, nature, and a little treasure hunting magic.

Types of sea glass

One of the standout features of Seaham Beach, and the reason it has such a renowned reputation among sea glass enthusiasts, is the remarkable variety of colours you can find. While hues like yellow and orange are incredibly rare on most beaches, they’re somewhat more attainable here. They’re still uncommon, but not impossible to spot.

In just two hours of searching, we discovered over 10 pieces of yellow sea glass, five pieces of light blue, one large dark blue piece (our find of the day!), and even a rare red piece. The rest of our haul consisted of the more typical shades: clear, frosted blue, and green. The diversity of colours truly sets Seaham apart and makes every visit a unique treasure hunt.

Our Seaham haul

We collected a modest amount of sea glass while at Seaham Beach. In total, in just over 2 hours, we collected 100 pieces amounting to a weight of 350 grams. Below are just a few of the stand-out pieces that we found.

Dark Blue Sea Glass

My find of the day! Interestingly, we didn’t discover this piece of sea glass on the beach itself, but on the path running above it, which is a great spot to search when the tide starts rolling in. This dark blue sea glass gets its rich colour from cobalt oxide, historically used to create various shades of blue. Dating back as far as the 1700s, cobalt blue was commonly featured in decorative items such as lamps, as well as in a wide range of bottles. Such a fascinating glimpse into history in a single piece of glass!

Shades of Blue

Some other interesting blue pieces we found! One of my favourite things about Seaham Beach is how easy it is to discover sea glass in colours that are usually incredibly rare. One of these pieces even features a stunning streak of darker blue running through the middle. Absolutely breathtaking!

Red Sea Glass

Red sea glass is my personal favourite, and this is one of only a few pieces I’ve ever found! It’s no surprise that out of all the beaches in the UK, the renowned Seaham delivered such a treasure. Red sea glass is incredibly rare, as it was typically used in very specific pieces of tableware and also had applications in marine lighting. You can read more about its fascinating history here!