About Islandeering
Hi and welcome to Islandeering Islandeering is for people who want adventure in Britain’s wild blue spaces – our rivers, coast, lakes, canals and islands. You will find amazing walks, paddles and swims in the UK’s most special places, those recognised for outstanding natural beauty, incredible geology or special and abundant wildlife.
More About UsWe continuously find new islands, rivers, lochs, canals and coast to walk, SUP and swim in and meet plenty of great folks along the way. Join our community to get new routes and adventures, latest blogs and news by using the email box below. Tune in also to our Facebook and Instagram pages to see where we are going next.
About St Mary’s Island (Tyne and Wear
Just a few hundred metres offshore, across a tidal causeway, this much visited island in Whitley Bay remains a haven for wildlife and offers spectacular views of the rugged coastline. Managed by North Tyneside Council the lighthouse and former keepers’ cottages are operated as a visitor centre. The surrounding nature reserve contains rockpools, clifftop grassland, a beach and newly created wetland habitat.
A viewing area and hide on the seaward side of the St Mary’s lighthouse is a good place to watch grey seals haul themselves out of the water; harbour porpoises or white-beaked dolphins might also make an appearance. Birdlife is prolific in all seasons and includes resident species as well as those on their summer or winter migrations. Visitors paying a small entrance fee can climb the 137 steps to the top of the lighthouse for the most spectacular views of the coastline.
Other exhibits explain the history of the lighthouse and give an insight into the wildlife of St Mary’s Nature Reserve. The lighthouse keepers cottages here is where “Five Goes to Demon’s Rocks” was filmed!! The Famous Five that is…..so don’t forget lashings of ginger beer.
Access to the island, which has a high point of forty-six metres, is across a low-tide causeway. There is a small gift shop on site with drinks machine and basic refreshments.
https://my.northtyneside.gov.uk/category/635/st-marys-lighthouse
Highlights of St Mary’s Island
- Spot the hauled out grey seals
- Hear the eerie calls of Eider ducks
- Poke around in rock pools
How to get to St Mary’s Lighthouse
St Mary’s Lighthouse can be accessed on foot via a tidal causeway. Park in St Mary’s Island (North) car park (postcode NE26 4RS; Grid ref. ). To get to the car park leave the A193, just north of Brierdene. Check out the walk to St Mary’s Lighthouse under the Islandeering tab.
St Mary’s Lighthouse Tide Times
Before crossing to St Mary’s Lighthouse always check the tide times here https://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/coast-and-sea/tide-tables/4/204
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