A grey but dry day so we are off across the Tyne to see what South Shields has to offer. After finding free parking behind the long park that backs onto the beach, we cut through and wow a pretty impressive expanse of sand awaited us on Sandhaven.

Volley courts and all, the beach is backed by a wide promenade, gardens and parkland with a few beach bars and cafes along the way. Walking south away from the town we soon entered The Leas a National Trust section of coastline, with good views back along Sandhaven.

Next we came upon the wild Frenchman’s Bay which clearly takes a battering from the sea and is no longer the popular sandy cove it used to be.

Much of this section has seen detours of the coastal path as the edges crumble away into the sea, but it’s ruggedness added to its charm for us. Soon we were looking down on another rugged bay – Marsden Bay.

A bit more popular as the road runs near by with parking up top. A rather unique lift serves the bistro down below.

Back up on the cliff tops we press on to our destination – Souter Lighthouse at Lizard Point (clearly not the Lizard Point but hey!).

Here we stopped for a well earned cup of tea before returning to Sandhaven and continuing along the promenade to Little Haven.

A lovely sheltered sand beach, nestled -behind the Tynemouth Harbour Walls – I would imagine it to be hideously crowded on a nice day in summer but for now, just as the sun is setting it is quite lovely.