On a bright day with an easterly breeze, thirty ramblers assembled at Coatham Marsh car park for a walk around the nature reserve to hear about the ancient ports of Coatham and Dabholme.
Assembling in the car park prior to the walk.
The groups sets off west toward Marsh House Farm and Todd Point, the former south bank of the River Tees estuary.
Waymark near the car park showing the walk traverses part of the Teesdale Way.
The group stop on one of the boardwalks to hear about the early history of the former salt-marsh.
Yellow Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) add a splash of colour in early Spring.
Delicate flowers of the Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) decorate the hedge in places.
We set off again toward Todd Point a kilometre-or-so west.
The group climbed one of the large mounds on the north-west of the marsh.
The mound curves to the north as we approach Todd Point marking the southern bank of the old River Tees before reclamation work.
Beth related the former layout of the area with maps from the late-1700s and 1800s showing how the land has changed as Teesport developed.
The Redcar blast furnace (right) and sinter plant (left) now occupy the area where Dabholme once stood.
Looking north from Todd Point with ships entering Teesport, and Hartlepool on the horizon.
We also hear about ancient bones, myths,magic and monster fish. All part of the history of the former port of Dabholme.
We backtracked along the mound regrouping at the Stell.
We tarry a while to hear about the development of the marsh.
Mute Swans nest each year on the marsh.
Next, the group head back east to cross the railway.
Over the railway we hear about how alum was produced and transported to Coatham and Dabholme, and of the coal imported here.
This small (1cm) tall flower with succulent red leaf-like lobes grew profusely along the path edges. It remains, for the time being at least, unidentified...but I'm working on it.
Last stop was at the pond near 'Cowies Corner' to hear about the marsh's former salt industry.
Thanks to all the ramblers who turned up for this outing, we hope that you enjoyed the walk and perhaps learned something about the history of this (now-industrialised) area. We hope that you can find the time to attend some of our future outings and look forward to seeing you again.
Coatham and Dabholme – Alum Ports.
On a bright day with an easterly breeze, thirty ramblers assembled at Coatham Marsh car park for a walk around the nature reserve to hear about the ancient ports of Coatham and Dabholme.
Assembling in the car park prior to the walk.
The groups sets off west toward Marsh House Farm and Todd Point, the former south bank of the River Tees estuary.
Waymark near the car park showing the walk traverses part of the Teesdale Way.
The group stop on one of the boardwalks to hear about the early history of the former salt-marsh.
Yellow Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara) add a splash of colour in early Spring.
Delicate flowers of the Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) decorate the hedge in places.
We set off again toward Todd Point a kilometre-or-so west.
The group climbed one of the large mounds on the north-west of the marsh.
The mound curves to the north as we approach Todd Point marking the southern bank of the old River Tees before reclamation work.
Beth related the former layout of the area with maps from the late-1700s and 1800s showing how the land has changed as Teesport developed.
The Redcar blast furnace (right) and sinter plant (left) now occupy the area where Dabholme once stood.
Looking north from Todd Point with ships entering Teesport, and Hartlepool on the horizon.
We also hear about ancient bones, myths,magic and monster fish. All part of the history of the former port of Dabholme.
We backtracked along the mound regrouping at the Stell.
We tarry a while to hear about the development of the marsh.
Mute Swans nest each year on the marsh.
Next, the group head back east to cross the railway.
Over the railway we hear about how alum was produced and transported to Coatham and Dabholme, and of the coal imported here.
This small (1cm) tall flower with succulent red leaf-like lobes grew profusely along the path edges. It remains, for the time being at least, unidentified...but I'm working on it.
Last stop was at the pond near 'Cowies Corner' to hear about the marsh's former salt industry.
Thanks to all the ramblers who turned up for this outing, we hope that you enjoyed the walk and perhaps learned something about the history of this (now-industrialised) area. We hope that you can find the time to attend some of our future outings and look forward to seeing you again.