Tyne And Wear: Coast, History and Culture
Accommodation in Tyne And Wear
Where the River Tyne meets the sea, Tynemouth Priory and Castle stands on a steep headland with sweeping views over the sea. The coastal landscape here is closely connected with history: access to the Priory is through a 14th-century monastic gatehouse. Underground gun emplacements can be explored; they are connected with the history of both world wars.
Coast and maritime history
Tynemouth Longsands is a one-mile-long sandy beach used for walking and playing, and recognised across the region as a watersports destination. Cullercoats Bay offers a different kind of coastline: the sandy bay is framed by small piers. Its southern section is used as a launching point for recreational boats. Two information boards along the promenade explain the art history of Cullercoats.
Tynemouth’s maritime history can also be discovered at a dedicated site: the Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade was the first organisation of its kind in the world, and its history is told in a small museum. Annual events include the Mouth of the Tyne Festival and the Tynemouth Food Festival. Check the festival dates if you are planning your trip around them.
Historic sites and striking views
Washington Old Hall is connected with the ancestors of George Washington. The building dates from the 13th century and was renovated before the English Civil War. The estate includes the garden and the adjoining Nuttery, an oasis for wildlife and people. History and landscape come together here in a compact setting, without the garden serving merely as a backdrop for the historic building.
Penshaw Monument stands on Penshaw Hill and is 70 feet tall, offering panoramic views. Paths lead through the woods west of the monument. In Newcastle, traces of different eras can be seen in the architecture: Newcastle Castle stands on the site of the former Roman fort of Pons Aelius, which was part of Hadrian’s Wall. The Black Gate was added to the castle’s defences between 1247 and 1250, during the reign of Henry III. The Keep’s rooftop offers 360-degree views across the city, the River Tyne and Gateshead.
Art, museums and technology
At Gateshead Quayside, BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art offers art across four floors, as well as two viewing platforms. Its programme includes exhibitions, events, guided tours and activities. BALTIC is open Wednesday to Sunday; as the programme changes, it is worth checking the calendar before your trip. It can be reached on foot from Newcastle Quayside via the Gateshead Millennium Bridge.
Stephenson Steam Railway in North Shields, Tyne and Wear, is open for historic train rides and museum visits. Its exhibitions and collection objects, together with locomotives and vehicles, illustrate the development of engineering and propulsion technology. The Woodland Walk offers a different view of the site: it is located on a former industrial site that has been converted into a natural space. In this way, technological history and the site’s later transformation sit side by side.
Free admission can also be a factor when planning a visit: admission to Arbeia, South Shields Roman Fort is free, and advance reservations are not required. The Great North Museum: Hancock also offers free admission. Check the latest visitor information before your trip, as it may change.
Getting around
For travel between North Shields and South Shields, low-floor buses and the Shields Ferry connect the two places. All Metro stations are accessible via level entrances, ramps or lifts. As transport information can change, check the latest details before travelling. The area’s coastal towns, historic sites, museums and cultural attractions offer a range of starting points for planning your trip.
Discover more destinations: Washington, Seaton Burn, Holystone, Hebburn, North Shields, Whickham, East Boldon, New Herrington.
For the broader travel overview: North East England.
