The place-name 'Seaton Delaval' was first attested as 'Seton de la Val' in 1270. 'Seaton' simply means 'sea town', referring to the village's nearness to the North Sea. The land was held by the Delaval family, who took their name from Laval in Maine in France. Their descendants are still major landholders in the area today, and the current Lord Hastings has the first name Delaval: he is Delaval Astley, 23rd Baron Hastings. The folk song "Blackleg Miner" mentions the village:
The village is centred on the intersection of two main roads: the A192 road running from North Shields to Morpeth and the A190 road running from the Dudley village bypass to Seaton Sluice. These main roads are lined by terraced housing from the turn of the 20th Century, but large post-war and 1970s house development is predominant. There are small pockets of more recent housing and as of August 2012, a new estate of houses is being completed. Nearby villages include:
Holywell
Seghill
Seaton Sluice
New Hartley
Economy
The village has its own independent cooperative, the Seaton Valley Co-Operative Society, which runs a small supermarket, post office and off-licence. There are also several convenience stores and public houses, such as The Keel Row pub/restaurant on Foreman's Row, Hastings Arms on Wheatridge Row and the Victoria and Albert Inn on Seaton Terrace. The other, mainly independent, stores include a regionally renowned ice cream parlour, a pine furnishing store, a florist and a garage. The Victoria and Albert Inn was formally 2 separate inns With the Victoria dating back to 1839, the 2 were merged to form The Victoria and Albert Inn. In 2012 local residents put up a brave fight and took on Tesco and prevented them from changing their pub to a Tesco Express store. In 2019/2020 the Victoria and Albert underwent a major refurbishment. The Seaton Terrace is now the premier social club in the Village after the demise of the "Top Club". The club has over 850 members and has recently because solvent again, paying off over £250,000 worth of debt and was due to celebrate its "Independence Day" on July 4 after getting its deeds back. The club has been known for its nightlife over the years and has hosted some top local acts like the Sleaze Sisters, Digits, Queen's of Noise, Jason Isaacs and the Fontains as well as world-renowned Bay City Roller, Eric Faulkner. Coty has a factory in the village following a merger of between Procter and Gamble and Coty for the acquisition of their beauty business, once the independent Shultons factory. Shultons formerly manufactured Old Spice aftershave before Procter & Gamble's acquisition of the brand. The factory is now employed in the manufacture of Clairol hair dye products, including Nice 'n Easy, as well as the Hugo Boss fragrance range along with a number of other products.
Landmarks
, recently taken into the care of the National Trust, is situated around half a mile east of the village off the A190.
Transport
A railway line, now used only for freight, runs to the North of the village. There are bus links to nearby Whitley Bay, Cramlington and Blyth as well as to Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
The Seaton Delaval Arts Centre, a small auditorium hosting musical and drama entertainment, often locally produced, is housed in the former Salvation Army Hall in the centre of the village.
