A short circular walk of one mile with several points of interest, allow at least an hour to appreciate the heritage of the area. 

On leaving Seaburn Metro Station turn right onto Station Road and then Charlton Road up to the traffic lights at Newcastle Road. Cross the dual carriageway at the lights and turn right to walk along the pavement on Newcastle Road and past Fulwell Windmill.

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The mill was built for Joseph Swan (inventor of the incandescent light bulb) in 1806 using magnesian limestone from Fulwell Quarry. In 1996 work started to restore the mill to its 19th century working condition. It is believed to be the North East’s only working windmill. Check their website for opening hours of the mill and tearoom.

Immediately after the windmill and tearoom buildings turn left up a flight of steps. (If you wish to avoid the steps continue walking along Newcastle Road past the VW Pulman garage and immediately after the garage turn left up a tarmac track to rejoin the walk) At the top of the steps a path crosses a grassy area. There is a panoramic view from here - with the Cleadon Hills and Whitburn to your left, Seaburn and Fulwell in front and Roker and the port to your right.  Also to your left at the edge of the grassy area are some lime kilns.

Lime Kilns 

These lime kilns formed part of the Hedworth Williamson Limeworks which procured lime from Fulwell quarry. They are Grade 2 listed buildings.

Continue along the path with the allotments to your left until you reach a tarmac track. Turn left along this track and walk up the slight incline. After around 100 metres you will see on your left hand side the Fulwell Acoustic Mirror with an information board.

Fulwell Acoustic Mirror 

This sound mirror was built in 1917 during the First World War to try and alert the local population to possible attacks by German zeppelin airships. On 1 April 1916 Sunderland was bombed by an airship killing 22 people. 

Continue up the tarmac track until it narrows to a footpath running between fences with a field to your left and woodland to your right. Continue along this path until you reach Fulwell Quarry.

Fulwell Quarry

Now a nature reserve the quarry is of national importance due to its magnesian limestone. A long thin band of this limestone runs from South Shields to Nottingham. 

Walk along the top of the quarry until you meet a crossroads of paths. Turn left to follow the path down through the quarry past the Northern Grid buildings on your right. The path emerges onto a road - turn left and follow the road straight ahead until you come to the Newcastle Road dual carriageway. Turn right to reach the traffic lights and cross the dual carriageway to return to the Metro station via Charlton Road and Station Road.