Tynemouth

Stunning beaches and booming seaside.

Tynemouth hosts two beaches, King Edward’s Bay and Longsands, as well as a lively Front Street.

On Front street you can grab a bite to eat at one of the many pubs, restaurants, coffee shops, and chippie.

You can grab some hand-made chocolate at Gareth James Chocolatier, explore the interesting knick-knacks of Razzberry Bazaar, and many similarly themed shops with quirky goods.

Tynemouth Priory is the historic ruin perched on the cliffs on the end of Front Street, this is often host to events in the summer months and can be explored for a fee.

King Edward’s Bay is a small and secluded beach which is ideal for families that need to keep an eye on their young ones, you can also grab a bite to eat at Riley’s Fish Shack which is very highly regarded for its seafood, winning many awards.

Longsands beach in contrast spans a greater length and is ideal for stretching your legs or settling down with a bit more space, you can find Crusoe’s café at one end, and The View restaurant at the other, both very inviting especially during cold and moody days.

Along the top of Longsands you can find a variety of bars and restaurants with special mention to Durano Lounge and Tynemouth Castle Inn. Tynemouth Aquarium is very closeby too, a modest-sized aquarium that can help to break up the day.

Parking

Beaconsfield Car Park is a large car park situated atop Longsands beach but there is a fee.

Tynemouth Front Street has on-street parking for a fee but is often fully-packed during weekends. There is also parking down the bank of the priory, free parking at Priors Haven Car Park, and paid parking a little further along at Spanish Battery Car Park.

During weekends it’s recommended to walk to Tynemouth where possible, or take a quick ride on the Metro due to parking limitations.

Newcastle

The toon.

There’s plenty to do in the city, music venues such as O2 City Hall, The Utilita Arena, and The Glasshouse have all hosted a range of worldclass artists from many genres of music.

Art is also in abundance, The Baltic is a great free option, situated just over The Millennium Bridge. Other options include Laing Art Gallery and Hatton Gallery.

For those that enjoy learning we have “Life” science centre, Discovery museum, and Newcastle Castle (a tour of what’s left).

Food & Drink

Lunch in the town has a lot of the usual big chain options, they’re not hard to find, the smaller establishments that I’d recommend are:

– Pink Lane Bakery
– Acropolis (Greek)
– Geordie Bangers
– Cubanos
– Shwarma & Grillhouse (Middle Eastern)
– Chili Padi (Malaysian)
– I Scream for Pizza

In the evening:

– My Delhi(Indian)
– Lola Jeans (Burger & Grill)
– The Sandhill Arms (Pies & Ales)
… and any of the big chain restaurants on the Quayside are always a safe bet too!

Drinks – it’s hard to recommend one or two places, so the areas that I’d suggest are:

– Grey Street, classy establishments.
– Collingwood Street & Neville Street.
– St. James’ Stack (exercise caution on match days).
– Ouseburn, a bit further afield and a bit more grungy.
– The Bigg Market (only if you’re daring, not for the feint of heart).

Sunderland

It exists.

As a Geordie, and rival of the Mackems, I am not obliged to say anything nice about Sunderland and therefor I will say nothing at all.

County Durham

Countryside to the South.

Situated to the South and South-West of Tyne & Wear, County Durham boasts some beautiful countryside.

Some notable places of interest are:

– Durham, a lovely little city known for its calm and inviting atmosphere, the cathedral and castle are buildings of beauty.

– Beamish museum is a stones throw from Newcastle and will take you back in time to a simpler time, the old-style sweet shop is a family favourite.

– Angel of the North, our picturesque monument is great for a quick picture with your friends and family.