There are few major cities in the UK, where the coast is as accessible as Newcastle with Tynemouth being only a few metro stops from the city centre. Not only is it easily reachable, but it is beautiful and full of character with stunning beaches, a castle, eclectic high street full of fabulous cafes and restaurants and a working quayside with great places to grab some of the North East’s best fish and chips. It is also very walkable.
Start the walk at the beautiful Victorian railway station (which is home to a wonderful weekend market) Head down the high street, perhaps stopping for a coffee at one of the many great coffee shops towards the castle, which is impossible to miss as it sits at the head of the High Street. The castle was built in the 12th century, to protect the monks who lived in the priory within its walls from invaders.
Turn left and walk along the promenade. You can see Souter lighthouse near Blyth, 6 miles away on a clear day and you get a fantastic view of the castle and abbey on top of the dramatic cliffs. Return via the beach, which is one of the best in North East England as well as being one of the best surfing spots in the UK.
Follow the route past the castle down towards Fish Quay. Here you get some stunning view across the Tyne Estuary across to South Shields and its iconic red lighthouse. You can’t miss the enormous memorial to Lord Collingwood, Nelson's second-in-command at Trafalgar, who completed the victory after Nelson was killed on your right.
Fish Quay really is something special. It is still a working Fish Quay, highlighted by the abundance of shipping boats and was once renowned for being a bit, let us say….‘edgy’. It has undergone a major regeneration project in the last few years, preserving its historic architecture and adding some modern additions.
There are some good local restaurants along the quayside and it’s a great place to grab some fish and Chips whilst enjoying the views. The big white tower and massive fortifications you can see are the remains of a gun battery known as Clifford’s Fort built in 1672 to protect Newcastle from Invasion during the Great Dutch war. Return to Tynemouth via Thames Bank and following Tynemouth Road which returns you to the railways station.
The walk is about 4 miles and can be reached by metro, terminating at Tynemouth Station.
