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Seaside town in Tyne and Wear, England
Photo: Roger Cornfoot, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Whitley Bay is a seaside resort in Tyne and Wear in the northeast of England, with a population of around 36,000 in 2013. It was part of Northumberland until 1974 when the borough of North Tyneside was created within the metropolis of Tyne and Wear. The North Tyneside towns of Wallsend, North Shields and Tynemouth are described separately.
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This is perched on a tidal islet. The causeway can be crossed for about four hours either side of low tide: use Easytide for a free tide prediction up to 7 days ahead. In medieval times there was a chapel here, but the ruins were swept away when the lighthouse was built in 1898. It was decomissioned in 1984 is now a visitor centre. There's wheelchair and pram access this far, but 137 steps to climb the tower.
Grand mansion designed by Vanbrugh and completed in 1728, in extensive grounds. The family lived riotously and suffered several calamities, and the central block was destroyed by fire in 1822. The facade and West Wing have been partly restored.
Public skating rink which is also home of the Whitley Warriors ice hockey team.
White tees 6579 yards, par £72, visitor round £50.
Trenchers or 1910
Once the centrepiece of a funfair, this oddity was built in 1910, in sort-of Brighton Pavilion meets Grand Mosque of Baghdad then shrunk in the wash. The funfair was extolled in the 1980 Dire Straits single "Tunnel of Love" but fell derelict and was demolished in 1999. The Dome, once a pinball and slots arcade, has been restored into bars and two restaurants. Trenchers is fish and chips (W-Sa noon-9PM, Su noon-6PM), 1910 is a steak and seafood restaurant (F Sa 5-9PM) and serves afternoon tea.
Great reviews for its trad fare. Dog- and child-friendly.
Home cooked trad British food, gets good reviews.
Splendid East Med cuisine.
Vietnamese café with delicious vegan and vegetarian options
Popular brunch spot, that can get very busy on weekends
Dog friendly café
Takeaway fish and chip shop with vegan options including banana blossom, which often sells out quite quickly.
Wetherspoon's pub in a former fire station, built in 1909 and operational until 1991. Good food, beer and service.
Cosy craft beer pub at Monkseaton station, located in the former parcel and left luggage room
Reliable budget chain on seafront.
Friendly comfy hotel on seafront, good value.
Small hotel a block inland, great reviews for comfort and service.
Friendly staff but the facilities are tired and basic.
This park is mainly for static units and long lets, but they have pitches for tourers and campers plus glamping pods.
Secondhand books and music.
Independent book shop operated by Forum Books.
Vintage shop selling second hand clothes, records and music instruments.
By train
There are no mainline trains to Whitley Bay. Newcastle Central has frequent trains from London and the Midlands via York, from Edinburgh, and from Carlisle.
By bus
A slightly cheaper alternative to the metro is to use the bus from Newcastle.
By road
From the south, take A19 to bypass Newcastle to the east and come through the Tyne Tunnel (toll). Take A1058 Coast Road to Tynemouth then A193 north.
The buses and Metro trains from the city continue through the district.30. On the Metro this covers from Meadow Well to North Shields, Tynemouth, Cullercoats, Whitley Bay, Monkseaton and Shiremoor.
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Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear · International · NCL
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