Marsdon Bay, Durham

Historical Description

Marsdon Bay, a small bay on the coast of Durham, 2½ miles SE of the mouth of the river Tyne. Marsdon Rocks here are a wild assemblage of freestone masses. These rocks. says Grant, " shattered hy storms, have parted from age to age with vast fragments that stand in every variety of grotesque form and combination, pillars and tombs and towers, ramparts and huge bridges, and triumphal arches, through the black green hollow of which the billows roar and dash." One of them, called by pre-eminence the Marsdon Rock, and lying 270 feet from the shore, is pierced with a lofty arch, under which boats can pass. A public-house, called " The Grotto," with large quaint rooms excavated out of the rock at the foot of the cliffs, is approached by a narrow flight of steps, and is a favourite resort of picnic parties.

Land and Property

The Return of Owners of Land in 1873 for County Durham is available to browse.