Veterans' Walkway Officially Opens on the North Tyneside Coast

A new civic memorial honouring local service personnel has opened on the North Tyneside coast, just along the seafront from us here in Tynemouth. The Veterans' Walkway, a ring of personalised granite plaques set around the cenotaph on the Links, was officially unveiled in late June.

What Has Opened

The walkway is made up of engraved granite stones laid around the existing war memorial, each one dedicated to a serving or former member of the armed forces. The plaques carry the person's name, their regiment or service, and their years of service, turning the ground around the cenotaph into a permanent roll of honour you can walk among.

According to North Tyneside Council, the first 50 stones were in place for the opening, with everyone who had bought a commemorative plaque invited to the celebration alongside council representatives. The scheme is run in partnership with the National Veterans' Walk charity, and the design allows the walkway to grow as more stones are added over time.

A Tribute on the Seafront

The council's Armed Forces Champion, Cllr Andy Newman, summed up the thinking behind the project.

"We've got a proud history in North Tyneside of supporting our armed forces personnel, and this walkway is a fitting tribute."

For families along the coast, it is a chance to see a relative's name set in stone in a spot that already draws people on Remembrance Sunday and throughout the year. The seafront setting, with the North Sea as a backdrop, gives the memorial a quiet dignity that suits its purpose.

Adding a Stone

Anyone wanting to dedicate a plaque to a veteran, whether to themselves, a relative or a friend, can order one through the National Veterans' Walk, with each name added to the Roll of Honour. The council's news page has the details on how to get involved.

Best for: The Veterans' Walkway sits around the cenotaph on the North Tyneside seafront, a short trip up the coast from Tynemouth. It is free to visit and open at all times.

It is a welcome addition to the coast, and a reminder of the long links between these communities and the armed forces.

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