A COASTAL ramble on a recently opened stretch of the growing national trial takes place on Thursday (May 28).

The walk of approximately ten miles, or six kilometres, celebrates the increasing access being made available to the public to the country’s coast as part of a national project overseen by Natural England.

Starting at the car park near Seaham Hall, County Durham, it heads northwards through Ryhope and onwards to Hendon, in Sunderland.

The ramble has been organised by Sunderland City Council’s east area committee, to encourage people to use the recently opened England Coast Path.

Walkers will take in Byron’s Dene, just north of the hall, once the home of the famous Romantic poet of the early 19th Century, plus Ryhope Dene, Ryhope Village, the Toll Bar, Hendon Beach and ends on the Town Moor, in the East End of Sunderland.

All abilities and ages are welcome to take part.

On completing the walk, a community event will be staged on the Town Moor, consisting of bouncy castles, climbing wall, face painters and other entertainment.

City councillor Ellen Ball, who chairs the committee covering parts of the walk route, said: “We regularly organise events across the area and this is a great opportunity to join in.

“We’ve worked closely with Heritage Coast Partnership, the voluntary and community sector, and many landowners to get this new stretch of the coastal path open, so, why not join us for a ramble?”

The majority of the route is off road and requires only a basic level of fitness.

Walkers should meet in the car park opposite Seaham Hall, on North Road, the B1287, in Seaham, SR7 7AG, for a 10.30am start.

Further information is available from nicol.trueman@sunderland.gov.uk, a member of the Durham Heritage Coast Partnership.