A Day Out in Tynemouth - Part 1
Tynemouth Longsands
So called because it stretches about a mile Longsands is great for a decent leg stretch and you get the awesome scenery to go with it too. It’s a popular beach and can get really busy at a weekend - especially when the sun comes out. It’s popular with families, students and dog walkers alike and the area surrounding it has a lot to offer. Read on for some of my favourite picks.
Getting There
Bus: Number 1 to Whitley Bay, 306 to Whitley Bay
Metro: Tynemouth Station
By Car: Paid parking all along the front
The Beach
The Walk
I like to start my walk walking down the ramp from The Grand Hotel. This is an important spot for me as The Grand is where we had our wedding reception and this part of the beach is where we had a lot of our photos taken.
This part of the beach also houses the old outdoor pool, which is earmarked for refurbishment. As it stands (Jan 2024) you can access the pool in it’s dry form and climb the steps to get an alternative view of Longsands and the ebbing and flowing North Sea.
Whether you prefer to walk by the dunes or plodge in the waves, longsands is a lovely place to blow the cobwebs away. There are plenty of pebbles and small shells to collect, large rocks and rock pools to explore and usually a good few dogs to watch bounding along the sand and into the splash.
Sticking to the sand and walking past The View brings you to a spot with great rock pools and it’s often the quieter end of the beach. The View building also houses some public toilets in lower part along with a small hatch for snacks that opens during busier periods.
Games We Played
My daughter hasn’t always had the staying power that we need for a walk on a blustery day (bring on the sun and I can’t get her off the beach) so I’ve started setting her challenges. One she loves is to follow the footsteps or tracks left in the sand. It really keeps her moving now and was a god send when she was little and got bored easily.
Last time we were at Longsands together, we did a rainbow rock hunt - simple as it sounds, I just asked her if she could find a rock in every colour of the rainbow. She’s as determined as me so we didn't leave that beach until she had every colour covered.
Food & Drink
You’re really spoilt for choice of food and drink establishments in Tynemouth so I have stuck to the three hot food places right =t near the beach.
If you want to stay on the beach then Crusoe’s is a great place to stop for a breakfast or light lunch. They have it covered from bacon ciabattas to crab salads.
If you want something a little more substantial or later in the day then head to The View. It boasts a vista beautifully framed from up in the dunes along with delicious snacks and meals. Treat yourself to a bottle of fizz - a great idea for birthdays (I went there for a tipsy lunch with a friend for my birthday a few years ago).
Fancy a burger or breakfast with a difference? Head to Brack Burger at the top of the dunes next to the promenade. Their menu of burgers, breakfasts and topped tater tots sounds incredible. I haven’t had chance to test it for you but I will be doing soon.
One that I HAVE tested many times is Dibley’s on PercyPark Road - just a short walk up past the green and a fantastic place to get out the house hunting apps and drool over the gorgeous townhouses. It’s a cosy ice cream parlour that also serves cakes and coffees. Sit in the window and people watch or get your instagram photos sitting in the rose wall backed seats. My daughter recommends the rolo ice cream. My fav is the dark chocolate vegan option. Yum!
If you’re staying on the beach then you can also get ice cream at the hatch in Crusoe’s.
I can’t mention food and drink without gushing about the indulgent vegan hot chocolate that I had at Gareth James’ Chocolatier. It was blissful and more than made up for the disappointment I always feel when a cafe tells me they can’t do a dairy free hot chocolate (I don’t know why I plump for a berries tea when they say that. It never does the job).
Family Activities
If the beach isn’t enough to keep the whole family entertained then try these two activities on for size.
Lost World Adventure Golf is a fun crazy golf themed with dinosaurs - there’s sound effects around the themed holes and watch out for the water spray!
Tynemouth Aquarium is also a fabulous place to visit. Explore the rock pool demonstration, see the rays being fed and be mesmerised by the seahorses and anemones. If you’re fans of Finding Demo then you’ll love the clown fish and regal tangs. They also have monkeys (I don’t know why but they’re awesome) and seals. Their rehabilitation centre takes care of injured seals and helps them get back to their natural habitat. I spent many hours walking through their underwater tunnel when my daughter was a toddler and it doesn’t disappoint.
Shopping
If you like the coastal lifestyle and want to get kitted out for surfing then Tynemouth Surf Co. is the place for you. If you prefer something made more for walking and relaxing then wander up past the green and Dibley’s to Ruby & Frank’s, an independent boutique that curates a beautiful collection of clothes for those who want to be cosy and stylish by the sea. Due North Menswear next door has a similar vibe and is owned by the same people.
Hopefully you’ve now got lots of ideas for your day out. I’ll be heading to King Edward’s Bay soon so keep your eyes peeled for the next blog. If you’ve got any questions or want to add some of your own recommendations then comment below.