Coastal Tyneside
Coastal Tyneside
Three branches serve the central coastal area of our region – Whitley Bay, North Shields and South Shields.
With its outstanding beach stretching from St. Marys Island in the north, to Cullercoats in the south, Whitley Bay is an extremely popular seaside town which appeals to a wide variety of people.
Originally named Whitley, the 'Bay' was added to the name after much confusion with Whitby. The area was first held by the Prior of Tynemouth, Whitley came into the Crowns ownership after the dissolution of the monasteries until 1539 when the Crown granted ownership to the Percy family. The main sources of employment in the area were farming, coal and ironstone mining, limestone quarrying and lime burning.
Whitley Bay is popular for its local shops and cafes as well as its thriving night life. With a range of excellent Primary, middle and high schools in the area Whitley Bay is sought after by both families looking for the best education for their children, and young couples looking to 'settle down'.
Being situated approx. 10 miles from Newcastle upon Tyne the area benefits from a village-like atmosphere without being remote making it perfect for professionals who don't want to live in the city centre.
There are many different styles of properties in Whitley Bay and the surrounding areas, from large Victorian terraces to Tyneside flats meaning there is literally something for everyone. After recently undergoing a multi-million pound regeneration, the centrepieces of which are The Spanish City a stunning Grade II listed building, and the Whitley Bay Playhouse, this lovely coastal town has once again become the holiday destination of choice in the North East.
There are many 'suburbs' of Whitley Bay, each of which has its own personality; from Monkseaton offering quiet town life set back slightly from the coast to Cullercoats with staggering sea views. Seaton Delaval is popular and particularly well-known for the famous 'Delaval Ices' where some of the UKs best ice cream can be found. Seaton Sluice has direct access to beach walks, and Shiremoor an up-and-coming area of Whitley Bay bringing affordable housing to a desirable postcode. And finally Tynemouth, where some of the area’s most expensive properties can be found, it epitomises the idyllic coastal village lifestyle of the area.
Our Whitley Bay branch can be found on the thriving road of Park View.
South Shields is situated in a peninsula setting, where the River Tyne meets the North Sea. It has six miles of coastline and three miles of river frontage, dominated by the massive North and South Piers at the mouth of the Tyne. These are best viewed from the Lawe Top, which also houses two replicas of cannon captured from the Russians during the Crimean War (the originals having been melted during World War II).
The town slopes gently from Cleadon Hills down to the river. Cleadon Hills are made conspicuous by the Victorian Cleadon Water Tower and pumping station (opened in 1860 to improve sanitation) and a now derelict windmill, both of which are listed and can be seen from many miles away and also out at sea.
South Shields boasts extensive beaches, sand dunes and coves, as well as dramatic Magnesian Limestone cliffs with grassy areas above known as The Leas, which cover three miles of the coastline and are a National Trust protected area. Marsden Bay, with its famous Marsden Rock and historic Grotto public house and restaurant set in the cliffs, is home to one of the largest seabird colonies in Britain.
One of the most historic parts of the town is the quaint and beautiful Westoe village, which consists of a quiet street of 1st grade and 2nd grade Georgian and Victorian houses, many of which had been built by business leaders from the coal and shipping industries in the town. Given its beautiful setting, parks and trees, this street was often the setting for a number of books by the novelist Catherine Cookson. Westoe village was once a separate village about a mile from South Shields, but urban sprawl has now consumed it, along with the village of Harton to the south on the main route towards Cleadon and Sunderland.
The South Shields branch is located on Charlotte Terrace, and covers the surrounding areas of Lawe Top, Westoe, Horsley Hill, Harton, Chichester, Laygate, Tyne Dock, West Park, West Harton, Marsden, Cleadon Park, Whiteleas, Biddick Hall, Simonside, Lyton park, Mortimer, Whitburn, Cleadon, East Boldon, Boldon Colliery and Westoe Crown Village.
North Shields dates back to the 13th Century and has a fascinating history. In 1225 a village of shielings (fisherman's huts) developed where the Fish Quay stands today. North Shields took its name from the shielings and the fact it stands on the north bank of the River Tyne. Significant investment and regeneration has rejuvenated the Fish Quay in recent years. Whilst still a working Quay it benefits from a variety of housing and boasts a vibrant social scene with a wide range bars and restaurants, from traditional fish restaurants to stylish brasseries.
From the Quay you can stroll along the promenade towards the Mouth of the River Tyne and take in the breath-taking views of the river entrance, the piers and Collingwood Monument. The walk eventually brings you to a headland known as the Spanish Battery and the magnificent Tynemouth Priory and Castle which overlooks King Edwards Bay and the golden long sands of Tynemouth. Our North Shields branch is located on the edge of the newly renovated Northumberland Square in central North Shields, in a historicaly noted building of Northumberland Place.
The west of North Shields town has also undergone an extensive regeneration programme, which has seen the revitalisation of the redundant Albert Edward docks. The Inflata Nation bounce dome, an outlet shopping centre boasting a pethora of shops and cafes, a bowling alley and roller disco, and a marina form the centrepiece to the Royal Quays development.
North Shields benefits from excellent transport links with the Tyne and Wear Metro providing access to Newcastle, Sunderland, Newcastle Airport and many other destinations. There are also various bus routes, a half hourly ferry service to South Shields and even an international ferry terminal to The Netherlands and other parts of nothern Scandinavia!