August’s walk of the month: Cullercoats to South Shields
This dinky, one-hour walk may be on the shorter side, but it’s packed with everything you could dream of for a summer’s day out that slays.
GETTING THERE
As with any walk along much of the North/South Tyneside coastline, getting the Metro is probably your best bet here.
We’re starting this trail from Cullercoats station anyway, but travelling by Metro also means you don’t have to double-back on yourself to get home – meaning you can explore even more of this scenic stretch of sand and sea.
THE WALK
Summertime and the beach. It’s a match made in heaven.
We know the holidays have been something of a washout so far, but surely that can’t last for much longer. And, luckily for us, a day spent beside the seaside in this nook of the North East doesn’t purely rely on the weather to be a belter.
The North Tyneside-to-South Tyneside stretch of coastline is alive with adventure. From rugged cliffs to sandy shores, artisan coffee shops and bakeries to cosy pubs, bars, restaurants, museums, art galleries, yoga studios, live music venues, Roman forts, aquariums, arcades, surf schools, local markets… the area is packed full of things to do.
And what’s especially handy is that it’s all accessible by Metro – meaning you don’t need a car to enjoy everything on offer here and, for the grown-ups, you don’t have to draw straws to choose a designated driver, either, if you’re tempted by that cheeky afternoon pint in the sunshine.
So, whether you purely fancy stretching your legs by the sea or you’re after an action-packed day out with all the trimmings, our August Walk of the Month will see you smiling this summer.
THE ROUTE
Setting out from Cullercoats Metro Station, head east past Cullercoats Coffee and The Boatyard Brunch Café before turning right onto Beverley Terrace.
Keeping the sea on your left-hand side, follow the road until you come to Longsands Beach, where you can take either stairs or a ramp down and stroll along the sand if you fancy hitting the beach, (the main road also runs parallel).
Soak up all those seaside vibes by the shore or across the road in Tynemouth Park (with its boating lake and dinosaur-themed mini golf course), before meeting the road back on Percy Gardens in front of Tynemouth Outdoor Pool.
Take any of the coastal footpaths leading south here or stay on Sea Banks and head towards King Edward’s Bay and Tynemouth Priory and Castle.
Here, you can decide whether to take a detour west to the famous Front Street, where you’ll find all Tynemouth’s shops, pubs, cafés, bars and restaurants – as well as Tynemouth Metro station, should you want to turn back – or continue straight down Pier Road, on a fairly steep slope down.
At the end of the vehicle-access road you’ll find a footpath; follow this south at first, before it veers west right along the waterside, (you spot plenty of boats coming in and out of the river’s mouth). The footpath will lead you to Low Lights Car Park.
We reckon you’ll have worked up an appetite by now, which is why we’d recommend joining the main road at Union Quay and heading south to peruse everything on offer along North Shields’ famous Fish Quay, (spoiler alert: there’s a lot).
This could well mark the end of the road for you – if it does, North Shields Metro station is just around a 10-minute walk east.
If not, once you’ve had your fill, follow the road and water south onto Clive Street where, after a few minutes, you’ll find yourself at North Shields Ferry Landing. A ferry day ticket for adults is £3.70 (kids go free) and will see you safely across the water in record time to South Shields.
And you’ve reached your destination. Whether it’s heading east to Ocean Beach Pleasure Park, north to Arbeia Roman Fort, or you decide to stay central and soak up all the hospitality on offer here, South Shields has plenty of summer fun accessible by foot from day to night.
Children aged 11 and under can travel on the Metro for free all day, every day.
To find out more information – including the top family attractions along the coast where Metro tickets can get you discounted entry – visit the Nexus website
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