10 things to do in Tynemouth, England on a day trip

I visited the coastal town of Tynemouth, England on a day trip from Newcastle and researched some things to do in Tynemouth beforehand. Here they are.

 

10 things to do in Tynemouth

1. Go on a Saturday for Tynemouth Market

If you go to Tynemouth by public transportation, chances are you'll get out at the station (when traveling by metro) or close to it (when traveling by bus). You'll want to visit Tynemouth on a Saturday as that's when the Tynemouth Station Flea Market is on.

And the Tynemouth Flea Market takes place right inside the train station, not just around it!

Stalls here sell anything from second-hand-anything to crafts and foods, which you can grab to go or eat at one of the tables. There are public restrooms which cost 20p to use.

The station itself is also a sight on its own. It dates back to 1882 and features glass platform roofing and colorful pillars.
 

2. Have tea at the Green Ginger Arcade

I discovered the Green Ginger Shopping Arcade by accident as it was on my way from the train station to the Tynemouth Priory. Tynemouth truly was ahead of its time when it converted a 150-year-old church into a shopping arcade no less than 30 years ago.

Inside this Tynemouth church, you can find a hairdresser, a pet store, a gift shop, a tattoo parlor, a clothing store and more. I took a break at the Kitscheners Vintage Cafe where they serve sweets, drinks, and light dishes. Service was bit slow but that reminded me that I need to get better at unwinding and the fresh smoothie was well worth the wait.
 

3. Visit Tynemouth Priory and Castle

This is probably the best-known of all Tynemouth attractions. A monastic community was first established at the current Tynemouth Priory and Castle site in the 8th century but it was destroyed by the Vikings in the course of the 9th and 10th century.

The medieval ruins you can visit today belong to a second monastery which was founded in the late 11th century.

Because of its strategic location by the sea and at the mouth of the Tyne, defenses were added to the monastery at different moments in time. Aside from some gun placements and one building, most of these later additions are now gone.

Don't let that stop you from visiting, though. Perched on a cliff overlooking the sea, the priory grounds are quite spectacular and the church ruins give an idea of how impressive this building once must have been.

Signs indicate what used to be where and at the ticket office, you can also get a guidebook with detailed explanations of everything there is to be seen. It also has some reconstruction drawings of what the priory might have looked like.

For information on Tynemouth Castle opening times and entry prices, check the official website.
 

4. Walk Tynemouth Pier

Tynemouth Pier can be seen from the Tynemouth Castle grounds as it extends 900 meters into the sea. Together with the lighthouse at the end of it, it's a protected monument and the perfect place to go catch some air.
 

5. Check out the Collingwood Monument

The Collingwood Monument can also be seen from the Priory and commemorates the life and achievements of Admiral Lord Collingwood. The monument itself is not that spectacular – although quite big – but if you do decide to walk up to it, you can walk onward to the fish quay.

As I wasn't feeling too well the day of my visit, I just checked it out from a distance.
 

6. Grab lunch in Tynemouth at Riley's Fish Shack or the Surf Cafe

There are plenty of places to eat in Tynemouth, but Riley's Fish Shack and the Surf Cafe are just a bit different from your typical English pub. Riley's Fish Shack serves locally caught fresh seafood at – indeed – a fish shack right on the beach in King Edwards Bay. The menu changes daily based on the catch.

The beach seemed a bit chilly to me that day and I wasn't in the mood for fish, so I opted for the Surf Cafe instead. Located at Palace Buildings, Grand Parade, it's right by the beach but unfortunately, doesn't offer a view of it. What it does have is a very cool and casual interior and a menu full of comfort food.

I had a mozzarella, basil, and tomato toastie which came with a salad and nachos. Yum!
 

7. Go for a stroll on Tynemouth Longsands Beach

Tynemouth Longsands is a large golden sand beach which has hosted several national surfing championships. It's the perfect place to crash or let the wind blow your thoughts away during a walk. And if you're lucky, you might see some surfers in action.

Good to know: there are seasonal restrictions on dogs being allowed on the beach.
 

8. Marvel at the mansions

Walking along Tynemouth's coastline, you won't see any ugly apartment buildings. This is the place where rich merchants once built beautiful terraced houses that are still well-maintained today.
 

9. Go surfing

The Tynemouth coast is known for its good surfing conditions and there's a surf school right on Longsands Beach. Take a few classes or watch the pros as they come surfing at Tynemouth.

A surf fan yourself? Then make sure to check the Tynemouth Surf Cam for a real-time impression of the current waves.
 

10. Stroll along Tynemouth Front Street

Front Street is the heart of Tynemouth's city center, also known as “Tynemouth Village”. This is where you'll find most of the Tynemouth pubs, restaurants, and coffee shops.
 

How to get to Tynemouth

If you're traveling from Newcastle to Tynemouth, like I was, the easiest option is to take the metro at Monument as there's a direct line to the Tynemouth metro station. However, when I was visiting, there were works going on and I had to switch from the metro to the bus at one point, which caused the trip to take an hour.

There is also a direct bus (the 900) going from Haymarket in Newcastle to Tynemouth, but that supposedly takes an hour. I say “supposedly” because it's the bus I had to switch to and it took well over half an hour on that bus while I'd already done half of the route on the metro.

So just make sure to check if there are any works going on before you take the metro to Tynemouth.

Alternatively, you can also take a taxi. I took a taxi back from Tynemouth to Newcastle and it only took half an hour to get there with normal traffic.
 

Where to stay in Tynemouth

I stayed in Newcastle and visited Tynemouth on a day trip but if you'd like to spend the night by the coast, the Tynemouth Grand Hotel is a good choice. There aren't that many places to stay in Tynemouth but this three-star Victorian hotel is located on a cliff right at the Tynemouth seafront, offering views of the North Sea.

All rooms are equipped with a flatscreen tv, tea and coffee making facilities, complimentary toiletries and a hairdryer. Afternoon tea is served in The Drawing Room while The Brasserie offers casual on-site dining. If you'd rather just grab a beer or get a typical pub meal, the bar is the place to go.

Want to stay at the Tynemouth Grand Hotel? Check here for more reviews, prices, and accommodation.
 

And that's it! I hope this post has given you some ideas on what to do in Tynemouth. If you have any questions about my trip there, don't hesitate to let me know.
 

Don't forget travel insurance

Plan for the best, prepare for the worst. Travel insurance has you covered in case (part of) your trip gets canceled, you get sick or hurt abroad, and sometimes even when your electronics break or get stolen. I always make sure I'm covered every trip I go on.

Don't have travel insurance yet? Check out SafetyWing. They offer super flexible plans that you can even sign up for while you're already on your trip. On top of that, they were the first travel insurance to cover COVID, and when I got COVID, they reimbursed all of my expenses without making a fuss. Their customer support team is great and I can personally recommend them.
 

PIN FOR LATER

 

I was invited to visit Tynemouth by the Newcastle-Gateshead tourism board and did so at my own pace, doing the things I wanted to do. As always, this post reflects my own opinion and experience.