Description
Seaburn to Marsden Grotto
This linear return walk takes in a beautiful section of the coastline from Seaburn to Marsden Grotto. It starts on the beach at Seaburn (tide permitting) and then follows the Whitburn Coastal Path along the cliffs past Souter Lighthouse to Marsden Grotto.
We will take a short break at the cave bar in Marsden Grotto before returning along the same route to Seaburn.
Places
Souter Lighthouse
Souter lighthouse was built in 1871 and was the first lighthouse purpose built to use electricity to power its lamp.
Just to the South of Souter Lighthouse is an area that is now Whitburn Coastal Park, which is a nature reserve and car park. This was the site of Whitburn Colliery. Very little evidence that there was a colliery here remains. The wall by the road is original, as it was once part of Whitburn Colliery Station.
There was also a village situated just North of Souter. Again there is almost no evidence that this ever existed. Large parts of this area have dissapeared into the sea.
https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/souter-lighthouse-and-the-leas
Marsden Grotto
This grotto has been occupied for well over 100 years. Much legend surrounds it but it is now a boutique bar and restaurant. It’s a very nice place to sit on a sunny day.