Shippersea Bay — Local services in Easington Colliery

This bay was a turning point for a circular walk from Easington Coilery Car Park. And we didn't realise we missed the most interesting part, the bay, in all previous walks! That is because how to get down to the bay, to the beach is not so obvious when approaching from South. The best way is, I think, to take the path across a small bridge (under the large railway bridge), then climb up, keeping the larger bridge on your right, and then cross the railways (it is a safe crossing), then use the stairs (rather steep) down to the bay. We came by the path down then didn't cross the small bridge (thought it leads elsewhere), and turned right just before it. Then by the stream to the bay -it's not ideal, you have to bend and climb over trees, but ok. Impossible with a bike! Neither,if you go by the stream or by the stairs. We saw a lot of cyclists and I have no idea what they do with the bikes if they want to see the bay (and it is worth it!) Someone with a group of teen girls had pretty hard time getting them across, the path is covered in soil and bikes slip down too easily, as well as your feet, unless you have proper walking boots, or don't have a heavy bike. Some people that followed us had to carry their dog. Don't get me wrong, it is all doable and fun, but take care. And I think someone would do all visitors a big favour improving all approaches to the bay and signposting them! And then we nearly missed all that wonderful stone art (see my photos), because it is, again, not much noticeable from the part of the beach we descended to, near the stream. But it will be if you take the stairs. See the stone art, it's pretty good! If you plan to make your own, you are pretty much short for the remaining bright orange stones! Bring your own, or you'd have to scramble the remaining stones all over the beach. Another interesting question -see where the stream goes to. Because it doesn't go all the way to the sea,it disappears 5m short of it! A mystery to those who don't know! Surely would be explained by a geologist. Personally, I was scared to stand near, I thought there must be some sort of cavity underneath... Silly, probably. Another thing -a post war bunker. Imagine you have to be in it to shoot out the invaders! Must be aliens, because galaxy is featured in the stone art. The views are great, take something to sit on, because the stones are not exactly butt-friendly. We made a mistake climbing up by the steep stairs to the railway (not yet a mistake), and then taking left without crossing the railway. Don't do it! It was a very steep way down, dangerous if too dry or wet. Conclusion -great place!! But think where you'd leave the bikes if you cycle. We also saw a few very happy cyclists whooshing down by the field to the bridge. Yet I still think hiking is better, because then you can include a narrow path by the cliffs as a part of the...

It is a gemstone! ...although much smaller than the neighboring bays.

There are essentially 3 ways to access the bay. From Hawthorn Hive (bay), 600m across a rocky shore From Easington Beach, 1200m across a rocky shore Both easily on low tide possible. However, there is a risk you might break your legs on the way, especially if wet from the sea or rain. I am dead serious about that. Get the right foot wear.

The other one is the infamous steep "goat trail" coming from the Easington colliery parking lot. 1300m

The trail goes 32m up or down. The upper part has dense vegetation. Some of it is blackberries, which can stain/ruin your clothing. Especially the dense vegetation makes it hard to impossible to know where to put your feet. If the trail is wet, either from condensation , rain or recent rain, it is literally a death trap!

Finding good stuff is still no guarantee! We went 3 days in a row, and the first and third day only brought mediocre results, while the second day was overwhelming good.

So figure out the tides and enter from Hawthorne bay, via the...

Was told by a local - "Yes, you can get down the cliff to the beach, but it's a bit of a scramble". Hah, Scramble ?!!? Even a mountain goat would struggle with this. So, NO, do not even attempt this. To get to Shippersea Bay beach, walk from either the north or the south when the tide is out. Please check the tides because with an incoming tide, you could get trapped against...