Wreck of Ludgate

Protected Area

Torrs to Mason's Walk

Why dive here

With 118+ marine species recorded in the area - including dolphins, dwarf minke whales, humpback whales, ocean sunfish (mola mola) and orcas - Wreck of Ludgate 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

StandoutRich in charismatic marine life

The Ludgate wreck, off Beadnell, isn’t some tropical postcard dive, and that’s precisely why we love it. This is proper northern diving: big, brooding, and full of atmosphere. Dropping onto the Ludgate, you’re enveloped by the silty green light that’s so typical of Northumberland, but then the shape of the massive steamship starts to emerge. It’s huge, broken but still impressive, and has settled onto the seabed in a way that creates some incredible swim-throughs and dark, shadowy nooks. We always find something new here, whether it’s a colossal ling peeking out from a twisted plate or a school of pollock swirling around the bow. The Ludgate is a haven for conger eels, and if you bring a good torch, you’re almost guaranteed to spot a few thick as a diver's thigh tucked deep in the machinery spaces. Our favourite moment is finning through the engine room, the light filtering in from above, illuminating the barnacle-encrusted gauges and valves. It’s a dive for those who appreciate history and the rugged beauty of cold water wrecks, best dived on a calm day with minimal swell to really savour the exploration.