A Jewel On The Tyne

As the series of mini adventures continue, I can’t describe my amazement when I stumbled upon Tynemouth. Another place that I had seen the signpost pointing to many times, but not a name place that ever enticed me in enough to head up the road to see what was up there. I think I had visions of Tynemouth being a dirty industrial port full of things that I don’t really enjoy looking at so much. I’ve since realised that this grimy port that I had imagined does actually exist, but it’s further along the coast and is The Port of Tyne. Today, instead of just driving past the signpost, I decided to go and have a look.

What a little gem of a place Tynemouth is. The historic buildings, dramatic views and surprisingly clean, and I must mention ‘award-winning’ beaches really took my breath away. I never even knew there was a Castle and Priory in Tynemouth! Getting in free to the castle by flashing my English Heritage card was an absolute bonus.

I walked along the 1km long pier to the lighthouse, this I loved, there was some amazing cloud action going on over the ocean too.  When I got to the lighthouse a local man popped his head up from the lower walkway and asked me if I fancied going up to the top of the lighthouse. I love a good lighthouse! I was up those 100 steps like a shot. Impeccable timing on my part as it was apparently a ‘heritage day’ and that’s why I was allowed up. The lighthouse is closed the rest of the time. What a treat!

I only had a few hours to look around Tynemouth on this occasion, but I’d definitely go back, there was so much to look at. If you like a bit of history, this place dates back to the Iron Age and is dripping with interesting antiquities. I think you could probably walk for hours around the coastline in either direction from the Castle. The hub of the town, ‘The Village’, is a lovely place for coffee or food & wine.

I suspect the central strip might get quite ‘Northern Lively’ on a night, but I’d have to try it before knocking it. I visited on a ‘not school holiday’s’ weekday and there was hardly anybody around, this I would recommend! If, like me, you’ve always driven past the Tynemouth signpost on your way to elsewhere, next time, pop in for a look around, you won’t be disappointed.

Keep on Exploring…

Captain Over! X