News & Events

The ‘SeaScapes’ Scheme is an exciting coastal heritage and conservation partnership, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, that explores the story of the Tyne to Tees Shores and Seas seascape from prehistory to present day (https://exploreseascapes.co.uk/about/).

Seaton Carew is a medieval village, probably established soon after the Norman Conquest, but the history of the area goes back much further than that. There are peat beds (Hartlepool Submerged Forest) on the beach that date back approximately 10,000 years and contain evidence of people using the landscape.

Roman finds have also been made in the area and there was probably a settlement nearby. It’s likely that Roman ships called at Seaton on their way up the coast to take supplies to Hadrian’s Wall. Over the centuries, the long beach was a place where vessels in distress were beached to escape storms. This includes a wreck of a collier of the type that Captain Cook sailed around the world in the 18th century (this is often covered in sand and is a designated protected wreck).

The Seaton Carew Conservation Area consists mainly of a frontage of properties facing out to the North Sea, with a single road running north to south to the front (the A178). The layout and building character evident in the Conservation Area primarily derives from the economic and social activities between the 18th and early 20th centuries, with three distinctive phases of construction. This has resulted in a mixture of buildings of different periods standing together side by side to produce an interesting and unique appearance.

Tees Archaeology and Archaeological Services Durham University, in collaboration with SeaScapes, are going to be carrying out a community archaeology project working with local people and volunteers to investigate the history of Seaton Carew through workshops, building recording and geophysical survey.

These activities are free to join, but places are limited and must be booked in advance.

Workshop 1

Date: Thursday, 4 April, 10:00 – 16:00. 

Location: Thrive Hive, Seaton Carew Methodist Church, TS25 1BH

This first workshop will give participants an understanding of research methods, enabling them to conduct their own research into an archaeological site or historical area in the future should they wish. Using Seaton Carew as an example, the workshop will focus on the methods used in background research, and will cover the use of maps and documents, aerial photographs, satellite images and LiDAR data. The afternoon will have a focus on building recording – what to record, how to use historic resources to find out as much as possible, and where to find out more information about different building types – in advance of the practical building recording session.

Tea and coffee will be provided, but otherwise participants will need to provide their own refreshments.

There are a number of pay and display car parks in Seaton Carew; the nearest of these to the venue is Rocket House Car Park, which is located a c. 10 minute walk away from Seaton Carew Methodist Church.

Please visit the following Eventbrite page to sign up for this event: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/seaton-carew-community-archaeology-workshop-tickets-873195209377

Building Recording

Dates: 8^th – 12^th April, 10:00 – 16:00

Location: Thrive Hive, Seaton Carew Methodist Church, TS25 1BH

This activity will involve recording buildings in the village, with a focus on the historic core. Participants will initially be guided around the buildings as a group in order to establish the context for the work and to make general observations, following which the group will be led through some examples of how to complete the recording of individual buildings. Smaller groups will then be invited to make their own building records, with periodic assistance, using pro-forma recording sheets and a suitable checklist.

This project will be undertaken over the course of five days, using Seaton Carew Methodist Church as a base. No previous experience is necessary, but participants should be aware that the majority of the project will be outdoors and will need to dress accordingly. Because of the training required we ask that participants attend for at least one full day.

Tea and coffee will be provided, but otherwise participants will need to provide their own refreshments.

There are a number of pay and display car parks in Seaton Carew; the nearest of these to the venue is Rocket House Car Park, which is located a c. 10 minute walk away from Seaton Carew Methodist Church.

Please visit the following Eventbrite page to sign up for this event: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/seaton-carew-community-archaeology-project-building-recording-tickets-873223403707

Geophysical Survey

Date: Thursday 18 April, morning session 10 – 12:30, afternoon session 13:30-16:00

Location: The Green, Seaton Carew

This activity will involve volunteers taking part in a geophysical survey on the village green, comprising both geomagnetic and earth resistance survey. Participants will receive instruction in the implementation of the two different techniques. The results from the geophysical survey will be presented at Workshop 2.

Participants will have the opportunity to take part in either the morning session or the afternoon session.  No previous experience is necessary, but participants should be aware that the project will be outdoors and will need to dress accordingly.

Participants should try to wear clothing without magnetic items on them as these can affect the results. Think about shoe buckles, eyes, belt buckles, zips etc. Participants will still be welcome to take part if they are ‘magnetic’ but the results may well have to be discarded.

There are public toilets located at the Front, which is a c. 10 minute walk away from the Green.

There are a number of pay and display car parks in Seaton Carew; the nearest of these to the venue is Rocket House Car Park, which is located a c. 10 minute walk away from the Green.

Please visit the following Eventbrite page to sign up for this event: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/seaton-carew-community-archaeology-project-geophysical-survey-tickets-873233634307

Workshop 2

Date: Monday 22 April, 10:00 – 16:00

Location: Thrive Hive, Seaton Carew Methodist Church, TS25 1BH

 This second workshop will include a summary of the results of the building recording and geophysical survey. Participants will gain an understanding of how the different geophysical methodologies work, be taught how to process the results, and will be given the opportunity to provide their own geophysical interpretations

Tea and coffee will be provided, but otherwise participants will need to provide their own refreshments.

There are a number of pay and display car parks in Seaton Carew; the nearest of these to the venue is Rocket House Car Park, which is located a c. 10 minute walk away from Seaton Carew Methodist Church.

Please visit the following Eventbrite page to sign up for this event: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/seaton-carew-community-archaeology-workshop-tickets-873212380737