LORD ATHLUMNEY

Protected Area

Henborth

Why dive here

With 118+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales, ocean sunfish (mola mola) and orcas - LORD ATHLUMNEY offers some of Northumberland & Northeast's richest wreck diving.

Marine lifeDolphins, Dwarf Minke Whales, Humpback Whales, Ocean Sunfish (Mola Mola) and Orcas · 118+ species recorded

CharacterWreck dive · max 5m

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

The LORD ATHLUMNEY, a paddle steamer that ran aground way back in 1887, sits in shallow water just off the Northumberland coast. We love this site for its accessibility and the sheer amount of history you can touch. At only five metres deep, it's an easy dive that’s full of character. You don't need fancy tech or deep training to explore the bones of this old vessel. What you'll find here are the scattered remains of the hull, some very impressive paddle wheels, and often, one of her boilers still largely intact. The wreck is quite broken up, but that just means there are more nooks and crannies for life to hide in. Dogfish often rest in the sand nearby, and we’ve seen some huge edible crabs scuttling amongst the plates. On a sunny day, with good visibility, the light filtering through the kelp-covered structure is just beautiful. It’s a great spot for newer wreck divers or anyone wanting a relaxed dive with a good story behind it. We always suggest checking the tides; slack water gives you the best chance to really take your time poking around.