Tynemouth & Whitley Bay
Coast and castle
We have pooled these two neighbouring communities so that those wishing to spend a night in the area have a better chance of finding a bed. Tynemouth is limited for accommodation but Whitley Bay abounds with it. The two towns form a significant cycle hub as they are at the beginning and end of several routes in addition to Hadrian's Cycleway: namely the C2C, Reivers and Coast & Castles. Tynemouth, perched high above the North Sea, was a port in the time of Roman occupation and was used to supply troops manning Hadrian's Wall. Its ruined priory was built by monks from the Holy Island of Lindisfarne in the 7th century. Some 1,200 years later, in Victorian times, the area was filled by a new breed of holidaymaker who arrived on the newly built railway to enjoy the area's sheltered bathing and boating. This is when Whitley Bay, with its Pleasure Dome, Spanish City and seaside villas, poked its head above the beach front. Whitley Bay is geared up for tourism. Every other building offers food, drink or accommodation - or all three. It is a strikingly traditional English seaside resort and is currently attempting to rediscover its former glory, when smart Geordies would jockey for space on the beach front.
Eating places
Sidneys, Percy Park Rd. Now features in Michelin. 0191 257 8500
Giorgio's Pizzeria & Restaurant, Front St. 0191 257 3758
Café 22, 22a Front St. Smart place, trendy & good food. 0191 257 0090
The Gate of India, 40 Front St. 0191 258 3453 Gibraltar Rock, Carvery East St. 0191 258 5655
Tynemouth Lodge Hotel, Tynemouth Rd, a real locals' pub frequented by the lifeboatmen. Great beers and often very busy. It's at the top of that steep climb out of the North Shields fish quays, on the edge of Tynemouth. Fitzpatricks, Front Street, is a handsome establishment. It is one of eight pubs in the small town. Has a changing selection of hand-pulled ales. Food served. The Turks Head, Front St, otherwise known as the Stuffed Dog because of Willie the Scottish collie, whose 130 year old taxidermised remains sit in a glass box looking at the bar. Willie came down from the Scottish Borders with a herd of sheep and a shepherd, but somehow got separated from them and spent the rest of his life waiting and pining in Tynemouth for his lost master. A tale of epic proportions told in detail on a plaque. Good Courage Directors, regular guest ales. Food served all day.
Places of interest
Tourist Information Centre: TICNS@northtyneside.gov.uk. 0191 200 5896 or 0191 200 8703
Cycle shops
Whiptail Cycles 3, Livingston View, Tynemouth, Tyne & Wear, NE30 2PL 0191 257 2212
Dixons Cycles 184 Park View,Whitley Bay,Tyne and Wear, NE26 3QP. info@dixons-cycles.co.uk 0191 253 2035
Sea Life Aquarium - more than 30 hi-tech displays provide encounters with dozens of sea creatures. Journey 'beneath' the North Sea and discover thousands of amazing sea creatures.
Black Middens - once notorious rocks near the Tyne entrance which in the 1860s claimed five ships in three days. Tynemouth Castle and Priory: dating from the 7th century, this was the burial place for the Kings of Northumbria but was later destroyed by the Danes. Later founded as a Benedictine Priory and later still fortified, but now a picturesque ruin.
Accommodation
| Marlborough Hotel, 20-21 East Parade, Promenade, Whitley Bay, NE26 1AP | |
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Smart and comfortable sea front hotel in prime position in Whitley Bay with many of the rooms overlooking the sea. High standards of accommodation (the rooms were recently refurbished) and hospitality. Close to all transport links - secure bike parking plus drying facilities. There is now free WiFi throughout plus the use of a computer in the sitting room. |
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Tel: 0191 251 3628 |
Rooms : 4S, 6D, 2T, 4F. |
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Have you stayed here? Let us know! |
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| Park Hotel, Grand Parade, Tynemouth, Tyne & Wear NE30 4JQ | |
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Overlooking the Northumbrian coastline with fantastic views the Park is ideal for cyclists on any of the many routes that begins or ends around Tynemouth. There is a 200-space car park, ideal for leaving your car whilst off cycling. The restaurant has an extensive a la carte menu plus carvery and all food is freshly prepared on the premises. The 55 rooms, most of them with sea views, are all en-suite with tea and coffee facilities, satellite TV, direct dial telephone. There is an English breakfast eat-as-much as-you-like buffet. |
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Tel: 0191 257 1406 |
Rooms : 46T/D, 4S, 5F, all but 5 of which have sea views. |
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Have you stayed here? Let us know! |
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| York House Hotel, 106-110 Park Avenue, Whitley Bay, NE26 1DN | |
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Near start and end of C2C, Reivers and Coast & Castles. 100m to the nearest pub and 250m to the beach. Delightful family run hotel conveniently and yet quietly situated close to all amenities. All rooms are en-suite with fridges and microwaves. Secure indoor cycle storage. VisitBritain 4-star (guest accommodation). |
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Tel: 0191 252 8313 / Fax:0191 251 3953 |
Rooms : 2S, 5D, 3T, 3F. B&B : £27.50-£32.50. |
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Have you stayed here? Let us know! |
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| Oaktree Lodge, 15 Esplanade, Whitley Bay, Tyne & Wear, NE26 2AH | |
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Run by: Andrew Birds Contemporary in design, yet still maintaining the unique character of its victorian heritage. The 4 Star award winning Oaktree Lodge is located in a quiet position central to Whitley Bay and just 500 yds from Whitley Bay's beautful beaches. Be assured we provide the highest standards of quality, comfort and service available in the Whitley Bay area. Secure bike storage. Free WiFi. AA & Visit Britain 4 stars. Licensed Bar. Modern coffee lounge serving speciality coffees and teas. |
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Tel: 0191 2528587 Email: oaktreelodge@aol.com |
Rooms : 4T, 1Tpl, 2D, 1 S. B&B: £30. |
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Have you stayed here? Let us know! |
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| The Northumbria, 51 - 52 Victoria Avenue, Whitley Bay, NE26 2BA | |
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Run by: Christine Goodwin Seafront position and splendid views. Friendly and welcoming, Christine is a language teacher fluent in Spanish, French and German. There's a secure lock-up and a laundry facility. The Northumbria has eight cheaper hostel rooms plus six further 3-star bedrooms. Ideal for any of the routes coming into/leaving the Whitley Bay-Tynemouth area. 8 hostel rms sleeping 2-4 in bunks; 2D, 2T, 2S Secure lock up Laundry. |
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Tel: 0191 252 5265 |
B&B : £15 for hostel; £25-£35 (£35-£45 for single occ). |
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Have you stayed here? Let us know! |
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| Avalon Hotel, 26-28 South Parade, Whitley Bay, Tyne & Wear NE26 2RG | |
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Ideal location: the Avalon is also a pub and is close to the start of Reivers and Coast & Castles, and close to the end of the C2C. Family run 3-star hotel with 14 en-suite rooms, secure bike storage, fully licensed bar, plus washing and drying facilities. Great breakfast and very cycle friendly. |
Run by: Michael Farwell 
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Tel: 0191 251 0080 |
Rooms : 3S, 6D, 6T, 3F. |
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Have you stayed here? Let us know! |
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Directions
Take good note: it is easy to get lost beyond North Shields. Start at the Spanish Battery Car Park by the cluster of arty waysigns below the Castle and Priory. Leaving Admiral Collingwood's fine statue on your right follow the cycle path to North Shields Fish Quays with its restaurants, fish and chip shops and old fashioned stores. There is a plethora of Route 72, Route 10 and C2C signs (you are also on the C2C). Union Quay becomes Bell St, Liddle St and Clive St. Follow the signs, which take you to Lowson St.
At the end of Chirton Dene Way you need to skirt round to the right of Wet n'Wild indoor water park. Follow the path to the right, along the cycle path parallel with Coble Dene, opposite the shopping centre at Royal Quays, where the DFDS ferries come in. Turn left onto the cycle path following the busy A187. Take care when crossing it. A clearly delineated cycle path shortly takes you above the Tyne, past Segedunum Roman Baths & Museum, skirting Wallsend, Walker and Byker before you are reunited with the Tyne and the magnificent run into Newcastle. Fish Quay is a vibrant little community of retailers who inhabit this scenic stretch. There are a couple of good pubs and plenty of places to eat, all commanding views of the Tyne. This is where Danish and Polish sailors used to come ashore to integrate vigorously with the local community at a den of iniquity known as the Infamous Jungle (a brothel now known as the Collingwood Buildings).
