Tynemouth & North Shields

Salt in the air, an impressive castle, a busy river and golden sands - the perfect seaside walk for the family. North Shields Fish Quay dates back to the 13th century while Tynemouth Priory and Castle are medieval, and their grounds are a lovely picnic spot. There’s so much to look out for with statues of Stan Laurel and Lord Collingwood (Lord Nelson’s second in command at Trafalgar); the notorious Black Midden Rocks; and cruise ships and fishing boats in the River Tyne. At the end, have a paddle off Tynemouth Longsands or tea and cakes in one of Tynemouth’s tearooms.

START/PARKING

The walk starts at Tynemouth Metro Station. A pay and display car park is located on the north side of the station. OS MAP GRID REF NZ366693

RECOMMENDED ROUTE

1. Starting at Tynemouth Station, coast side, turn right down Station Terrace, Kings School is on the left. At the junction, turn right along Tynemouth Road and past the Tudor Style Mariners Homes. Turn left down Hudson Street and at the Wooden Doll public house turn right along Tyne Street with the Fish Quay below. Further down on the right in Dockwray Square is a statue of Stan Laurel. The statue commemorates the famous film star who spent some of his childhood years living in North Shields.
2. At the bottom of Howard Street is the beautiful Maritime Chambers building. Take the Union Stairs down onto the Fish Quay. Turn left along Bell Street and take in the view across the Tyne by Western Quay.
3. Continue along the Fish Quay. Origins of the quay can be traced back as far as 1225. At the junction with Brewhouse Bank, Dolphin pub on right, turn right down Clifford Street, the site of Clifford’s Fort, a Scheduled Ancient Monument. Dating from the 17th Century, it was built as part of a network of coastal defences against the Dutch.
4. Turn left and follow the path along the riverside with the notorious Black Midden Rocks, scene of many a treacherous maritime accident to the right. On the left, at the top of the bank is a statue of Admiral Lord Collingwood, second in command to Lord Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar.
5. Follow the path, as it turns left up the bank with the Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade House, the first of it’s kind in the world, on the left.
6. Continue to the road and head up the bank with Tynemouth Priory & Castle, a burial place of Saints and Kings on the right. The site is an English Heritage managed attraction and stands guard over the mouth of the River Tyne.
7. Follow the seafront down Sea Banks as it bears left and the Grand Hotel is on the left. The view in front is the majestic sweep of Tynemouth Longsands with the French Gothic style St George’s Church in the background. Turn left at the Grand Hotel up Hotspur Street and the walk will end in Tynemouth Front Street, a Georgian style street with many antiques shops, pubs and cafes.