England Coast Path - Tynemouth Priory to South Shields

This section of the England Coast path takes in some amazing views of the Tyne from both the south and north banks. It begins at the historic Tynemouth Priory, follows the quays along North Shields, taking the ferry across to South Shields affording some great views back across the Tyne to Tynemouth Priory at the end of the walk.

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

Technical sheet

17581396
A North Tyneside walk posted on 30/11/21 by sarahhcfe. Last update : 14/08/22
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.03 km
  • ◔
    Calculated time: 2h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: No
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 21 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 33 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 19 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1 m
  • ⚐
    District: North Tyneside 
  • ⚑
    Start: N 55.016459° / W 1.419769°
  • ⚑
    End: N 54.996699° / W 1.410986°

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Description

(S) From Tynemouth Priory (or Tynemouth Shore Car Park) walk down Pier Road past the Tynemouth Volunteer Lifebrigade Museum. Turn right at the bottom onto the promenade.

(1) Follow the promenade. The Collingwood Monument is to your right, walk up the path to visit the monument and then walk back down to the promenade. Continue along the promenade past the Low Lights Car Park, Mooring Buoy Artwork, and the Port Marker Buoy Artwork, keeping left along the shoreline to view the Fiddler's Green Fishermen's Memorial.

(2) On your right is Cliffords Fort which houses the Old Low Light community venue. Continue walking along the road and around the square lighthouse turning right sharply. You will find the entrance to the Old Low Light around the corner.

(3) At the junction turn left onto Union Quay, the North Shields Fish Quay. Continue walking along Union Quay until it becomes Bell Street. Look up to your right to view the Fish Quay High Lighthouse (you will need to look up the steps next to Dodgins Yard.
Continue down Bell Street. When you reach the end of the car park you will need to join the main footpath on the roadside into Liddle Street.
Continue past the Prince of Wales pub and the new housing developments on your left into Clive Street where you will find the ferry terminal.

(4) Take the ferry across the Tyne to South Shields.
As you exit the ferry terminal turn left and follow the path along the Tyne.
Cross the footbridge and keep left walking along the river edge passing the circular pavement, continue to the end of the promenade. On your left, you will see the Spirit of South Shields Sculpture (see link below). Cross the bridge, looking to your right you will see fleet (see link below).
At the end of the bridge, keep left following the river until the end of the car park.

(5) From the car park you will need to rejoin the road, walk along Wapping Street, this will become River Drive. When the road bends to the right, turn left at the South Shields Sailing Club building.

(6). At the end of the building, walk down the steps and across the slipway (there are signs here for the ECP.
Take the narrow sandy path around the boat yard walking around the back of the hotel.

(7) You can now walk to South Groyne Lighthouse. When you have visited this, retrace your steps to the corner of the hotel and turn left.

(8) Walk along the edge of the beach to the Conversation Piece (Weeblies) art installation. (See link below)
From here, continue walking along the promenade past the amusements until you reach the car park next to Gypsies Green Recreation Ground. (E)

Waypoints

  1. S : km 0 - alt. 18 m - Tynemouth Priory
  2. 1 : km 0.28 - alt. 9 m - Tynemouth Volunteer Lifebrigade Museum
  3. 2 : km 1.4 - alt. 6 m - Clifford's Fort/Old Low Light Community Centre
  4. 3 : km 1.75 - alt. 8 m - North Shields Fish Quay
  5. 4 : km 2.82 - alt. 3 m - North Shields Ferry Terminal
  6. 5 : km 4.31 - alt. 5 m - Wapping Street
  7. 6 : km 5.22 - alt. 14 m - South Shields Sailing Club
  8. 7 : km 5.46 - alt. 3 m - South Groyne Lighthouse
  9. 8 : km 5.64 - alt. 3 m - Weeblies
  10. E : km 7.03 - alt. 7 m - Sea Front Car Park

Useful Information

  • Transport: Tynemouth and South Shields are linked by the Tyne and Wear Metro. You can park on the promenade at South Shields or at Tynemouth Shore. Numerous buses also serve Newcastle. My personal preference is to park in South Shields and take the metro to Tynemouth. Fromt he sea front car parks, walk up Ocean Road to the town centre for the metro station.
  • Facilities: Public Toilets at Tynemouth Priory, Lowlights Car Park and South Shields Promenade.There are numerous cafes and restaurants along the route, particularly in Tynemouth and North Shields including the cafe at the Old Low Light, cafes are sparse between the South Shields ferry terminal and the seafront where there are kiosks and cafes. I particularly like Michella's Ice Cream Parlour at South Shields.
  • Accessibility: The majority of the route is on pavement, however the last stretch from the South Shields Sailing club includes steps and sand and therefore you will need to continue along River Drive taking the next left into the hotel where you should see the 'weeblies' in front of you.

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

There are so many things to do and see on this walk that it should be a day walk at least to take in some of the sights. Just the views across the Tyne are worth stopping for.

  • Tynemouth Priory
  • Tynemouth Volunteer Lifebrigade Museum
  • Collingwood Monument
  • Old Low Light Gallery
  • Old buildings along North Shields Quay
  • Public artworks in South Shields detailed above
  • Arbeia Roman Fort
  • Custom's House in South Shields (gallery/theatre)
  • Ocean Road, South Shields, renouned for its restuarants.
  • North and South Marine Parks, South Shields
  • Pier South Shields

Spirit of South Shields Sculpture : https://www.visitsouthtyneside.co.uk/art...
Fleet : https://www.visitsouthtyneside.co.uk/art...
Conversation Piece (Weeblies) : https://www.visitsouthtyneside.co.uk/art...

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