Whitley Bay hotels

Hotels in Whitley Bay

Located on the northeast coast of England, Whitley Bay hotels are a great place to stay in a small seaside town within easy reach of South Shields and Newcastle upon Tyne. Hotels in Whitley Bay offer excellent opportunities to explore the region's beaches, with hotels such as Rex Hotel and The Royal Hotel mere minutes away.

History

Whitley Bay has a long history, reaching as far back as the reign of King Henry I, although it wasn't until the 19th century and the development of the railway between Whitley Bay and Newcastle that the area grew as a popular tourist resort. One of the more prominent historical structures in Whitley Bay is St Mary's Lighthouse, set on St Mary's Island to the north of the shore. The lighthouse is connected to the land via a concrete causeway, which is submerged at high tide. No longer used as a functioning lighthouse, the building was originally constructed in 1898 by the John Miller Company of Tynemouth. Today the lighthouse is home to a museum, visitor's centre and a small café.

Beaches

People flock from miles around to visit the broad sandy beaches that extend on either side of Whitley Bay. The Blue Flag-awarded Whitley Bay Beach runs from Whitley Bay towards St Mary's Lighthouse and is a great destination for a summer seaside holiday, whether you plan on swimming in the sea or making sandcastles with the kids on shore. There is an annual sandcastle building competition on the beach and plenty of places to grab something to eat and drink along the promenade. South of Cullercoats Bay is Tynemouth Beach and the smaller King Edward's Bay, all within easy walking distance of Whitley Bay. Head further south along the coast and you'll come to the mouth of the River Tyne and South Shields.

Further afield

On the shore of Tynemouth you'll find Tynemouth Castle and Priory, an impressive set of ruins from the castle and the Benedictine priory. The priory is the burial location of the early Kings of Northumbria. If you make your way inland from Whitley Bay a short drive will take you to Newcastle upon Tyne, the biggest city in northeast England and home to a range of cultural and historical attractions including the Great North Museum and the Theatre Royal, Newcastle.