England Coast Path - St Mary's Lighthouse to Tynemouth Priory

This section of the England Coast Path starts at St Mary's Lighthouse and follows the coast through Whitley Bay and Cullercoats finishing at Tynemouth Priory. The walk itself follows the cliff tops for some time and then the promenade. However for those requiring pavements, the first part of the walk can follow the road rather than the cliff tops. This walk can be done in either direction as a section of the England Coast Path (or as an out and back).

This walk is part of a multi-day hike: England Coast Path - North East Section South Bents to Amble

Technical sheet

17567995
A North Tyneside walk posted on 30/11/21 by sarahhcfe. Last update : 14/08/22
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.63 km
  • ◔
    Calculated time: 2h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: No
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 29 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 16 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 29 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 0 m
  • ⚐
    District: North Tyneside 
  • ⚑
    Start: N 55.071744° / W 1.4495°
  • ⚑
    End: N 55.016913° / W 1.417067°

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Description

(S) Start this walk with a trip to St Mary's Lighthouse (please check the tides before crossing the causeway to the lighthouse. (See link below)
Then, coming back, from the lighthouse causeway take the footpath to the left and follow the railings. At the end, walk up to the road.

(1) When you reach the road, then turn left along a grass footpath on the cliff tops. Whitley Bay Links Mini golf will be on your right and the sea on your left. You will eventually reach Ocean View Car Park. Alternative route: Those with accessibility issues should stay on the main footpath alongside the road turning right when you reach the A193, continue onto the Ocean View Car Park.

(2) From the south east corner of the car park, take the steps or ramp down and cross the footbridge. Those following the accessible route should continue to follow the cycle path past the car park and then turn left onto the cycle path. This will meet up with the footpath from the footbridge.

(3) Continue walking along the promenade passing the toilets and cafe and the skate park. At the end of this stretch of promenade, turn right and walk up the slope, the war memorial will be on your right and the Spanish City on your left.
Turn left on to the new stretch of promenade in front of the Spanish City, walk along the promenade past the Sand Castles sculpture.

(4) You are now on the Whitley Bay seafront. Continue along either the upper or lower promenade until you reach Brown's Point.

(5) Turn left and follow the promontory around to Norma Crescent on your right. At the end of Norma Crescent take the steps down to the lower promenade. At the end of the promenade, take the steps up to Bank Top, and continue walking along the promenade until you reach the Lifeboat Station.
Alternative: You can remain on the main roadside footpath here instead to the Lifeboat Station.

(6) Stay on the main footpath by the road through Cullercoats. You will pass the Adams Memorial Drinking Fountain and Children's Play Park on your left and St George's Church and the Oceanarium on your right before entering Tynemouth.

(7) Continue along the path on the cliff tops, you will see Tynemouth Park on your right with its oval boating lake.

(8) Carry on straight then around Sharpness Point and here look down to the beach you may see the remnants of the old outdoor pool. Up ahead you can see Tynemouth Priory, keep following the footpath along the road until you reach the priory. (E)

Waypoints

  1. S : km 0 - alt. 0 m - St Mary's Lighthouse Car Park
  2. 1 : km 0.89 - alt. 6 m - Cliff tops - Whiteley Bay Links Mini golf
  3. 2 : km 1.68 - alt. 6 m - Ocean View Car Park - Footbridge
  4. 3 : km 2.25 - alt. 3 m - Spanish City - Sand Castles sculpture
  5. 4 : km 3.07 - alt. 6 m - Whitley Bay seafront
  6. 5 : km 4.46 - alt. 15 m - Norma Crescent - Lifeboat Station
  7. 6 : km 4.96 - alt. 12 m - Adams Memorial Drinking Fountain and Park
  8. 7 : km 6.02 - alt. 20 m - Tynemouth Park
  9. 8 : km 6.8 - alt. 15 m - Sharpness Point
  10. E : km 7.63 - alt. 13 m - Tynemouth Priory

Useful Information

  • St Mary's Lighthouse - Check the tides before crossing the causeway to the lighthouse - opening times : https://my.northtyneside.gov.uk/category... .
  • Transport: Park at either St Mary's Lighthouse or Tynemouth. The metro connects Whitley Bay although it is quite a walk to the lighthouse, Cullercoats and Tynemouth. Alternatively, take bus 1 from the bottom of Front Street, Tynemouth to The Links, Eastbourne Gardens, change to the 308 and get off at The Links, Cemetery and walk back to the car park at St Mary's Lighthouse.
  • Facilities: There are numerous car parks, toilets, cafes and restaurants along the route.
  • Accessibility: The entire route can be done by following the path next to the road.

Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

During the walk or to do/see around

  • St Mary's Lighthouse
  • Tea at the Spanish City
  • Oceanarium
  • Beaches at Whitley Bay, Cullercoats and Tynemouth
  • Tynemouth Priory

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The GPS track and description are the property of the author.

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