Day Trip: St Mary's Lighthouse & Whitley Bay
A day-trip guide combining St Mary's Lighthouse, the rock pools and nature reserve of St Mary's Island, and the restored Spanish City dome at Whitley Bay.
Just a few miles north of Tynemouth, St Mary's Lighthouse and Whitley Bay make for one of the best day trips on the North East coast. You get a tidal island, a lighthouse you can climb, rock pools teeming with marine life, and the beautifully restored Spanish City dome — all within easy reach by car, Metro, or on foot along the coastal path.
Here is how to make the most of it.
St Mary's Lighthouse
St Mary's Lighthouse stands on a small tidal island at the northern end of Whitley Bay, connected to the mainland by a short concrete causeway. The lighthouse was designed by Sir Thomas Matthews, engineer-in-chief to the Trinity House Board, and was completed in 1898 at a cost of eight thousand pounds. The kerosene lamp was first lit on 31 August that year.
The lighthouse was decommissioned in 1984 and, together with the adjacent keepers' cottages, now operates as a museum and visitor centre. It has been Grade II listed since 2012.
Visitors can climb the 137 steps of the spiral staircase to the top of the tower for panoramic views of the Northumberland coast, the Farne Islands on a clear day, and the sweep of Whitley Bay stretching south. If the stairs are not for you, a live video feed at ground level shows the same views in real time.
Best for: Check tide times before you go — the causeway is only passable at low tide. North Tyneside Council publishes safe crossing times on their St Mary's Lighthouse page.
Rock Pools and the Nature Reserve
St Mary's Island was designated a Local Nature Reserve in 1992, and the area around the causeway is one of the best rock-pooling spots on the North East coast. At low tide, the exposed rocks reveal pools home to starfish, crabs, anemones, and small fish — bring a net and a bucket if you have children in tow.
The island and its surroundings support a range of habitats including clifftop grassland, wetland, tidal rock platforms, and a freshwater pond. Birdwatchers visit year-round: winter brings coastal waders such as curlew, dunlin, oystercatcher, purple sandpiper, and turnstone, while summer sees nesting seabirds. Grey seals are regularly spotted in the waters around the island.
The visitor centre runs educational events and guided rock-pool sessions during school holidays — worth checking their programme if you are visiting with families.
Practical Information
Getting there: St Mary's Island is signposted from the A193 coast road. There is a pay-and-display car park adjacent to the causeway. By Metro, the nearest station is Whitley Bay (about a 25-minute walk along the promenade) or you can catch a local bus.
Opening hours: The lighthouse and visitor centre opening times vary seasonally. It is generally open daily during school holidays and at weekends throughout the year, but check before travelling.
Admission: There is a small charge to climb the lighthouse. The nature reserve and rock pools are free to explore.
Tide times: This is the crucial detail. The causeway floods at high tide, and you cannot reach or leave the island when the water is up. Allow yourself plenty of time and do not cut it fine.
Spanish City, Whitley Bay
After the lighthouse, head south along the seafront to Spanish City in Whitley Bay. The iconic white dome — originally opened on 14 May 1910 as The Spanish City and Whitley Bay Pleasure Gardens — was once one of the great seaside entertainment venues of the North East, with a theatre seating 1,800, a ballroom, shops, and a permanent funfair.
After decades of decline, Spanish City was magnificently restored and reopened in 2018. Sixteen thousand people visited in the opening weekend alone. Today the building houses several dining options including Trenchers (fish and chips), the fine-dining 1910 restaurant, Valerie's Tearoom, and The Champagne Bar.
Even if you do not eat here, it is worth walking through the building to admire the restored dome — when built, it was the second largest in the country after St Paul's Cathedral.
Best for: Combine the lighthouse in the morning (check tide times) with lunch at Spanish City and an afternoon stroll along Whitley Bay beach.
Whitley Bay Beach and Promenade
Whitley Bay's long sandy beach stretches south from St Mary's Island and is backed by a recently improved promenade. The seafront regeneration of recent years has transformed the area, with new public realm, seating areas, and a much more welcoming feel than the town had a decade ago.
The beach is excellent for families, with plenty of space even on busy summer days. If you are walking the North Tyneside coastal path, Whitley Bay sits roughly at the midpoint between St Mary's Island and Tynemouth.
Making a Day of It
A suggested itinerary:
- Morning: Arrive at St Mary's Island for low tide. Explore the rock pools, climb the lighthouse, and walk the nature reserve.
- Lunch: Head to Spanish City for fish and chips at Trenchers or something more refined at 1910.
- Afternoon: Walk the Whitley Bay promenade south, or catch the Metro back to Tynemouth from Whitley Bay station.
The whole trip works well on foot if you are up for it — the coastal path from Tynemouth to St Mary's Island is roughly 5km each way. For route details, see our best walks guide.
Have tips for visiting St Mary's or Whitley Bay? Get in touch.