If Blackhall Rocks is the dramatic bit of coast, Crimdon is the easy one. It is a long, wide stretch of sand backed by dunes, just south of the park, and on a calm day the sea seems to go on forever.
Sand, dunes and a boardwalk
From the car park a wooden boardwalk takes you down through the marram grass to the beach, which makes it an easy walk for anyone who does not fancy a scramble. At the bottom the beach opens up in both directions, with the dunes on one side and the North Sea on the other. Walk north and you are heading back towards the cliffs at Blackhall Rocks; walk south and the sand carries on towards Hartlepool.
The little terns
Every year little terns fly in from West Africa in May to nest on the beaches along this coast. They are among the smallest seabirds in Britain and one of the rarest, and they lay their eggs straight on the sand, which makes them easy to disturb. Wardens and volunteers put up fencing around the nesting area through the breeding season, roughly May to September. Most of the colony now nests further south at Seaton Carew, but some still come to Crimdon.
If you are walking a dog in the summer, keep it on a lead near the fenced areas and give them a wide berth. A single dog running through a nesting site can wipe out a season, so it really does matter.
A beach for every season
In summer it is a family beach, with space for everyone and plenty of room to spread out. In winter it is a place for long, bracing walks and big skies, and you might well have it to yourself. Either way, it is the sort of beach you end up visiting several times a week once it is on your doorstep.
Owning a home nearby
Crimdon is one of the reasons owners say they walk more here than they ever did at home. Denemouth Park is a family run, owners only park at Blackhall Rocks, with homes for sale on the Durham coast, every price shown up front. Come and see how much is on the doorstep.
How far is Crimdon beach from Denemouth Park?
About five minutes by car, just south along the coast, or you can walk it along the coast path.
Is Crimdon beach dog friendly?
Yes, it is popular with dog walkers. In the summer nesting season keep dogs on a lead near the fenced areas, which protect the little terns.
When can you see little terns at Crimdon?
They arrive in May and the breeding season runs to around September. Watch from outside the fencing, and never cross into the nesting area.
Is there parking at Crimdon?
Yes, there is a car park, with a boardwalk down through the dunes to the beach.