Along the coast from Sunderland to Shields. September 29th.
The local weatherman has promised a very wet day for this Friday. Instead of heading for the hills we are heading by metro for Sunderland and walking back north up the coast to South Shields for a curry and a beer. Several have excused themselves on this wet day and we four are Brian, Harry, John Ha. and me.
There is no need for a map but should you want one use OS Explorer 308 Durham and Sunderland for a short stretch at the beginning and OS Explorer 316 Newcastle upon Tyne for the rest.
We met at St. Peter's Metro station, just north of the River Wear. The nearby church is well worth a visit. Originally the monastery where Bede* learnt his trade before moving to St. Paul's at Jarrow, it is one of the oldest churches in England, dating back to 674 AD.
St. Peter's Metro station with the Stadium of Light, home ground of Sunderland AFC in the background.
Leaving the station, wearing waterproofs, we crossed the road using the subway like sensible gadgies.
There is a choice, visit the church which we have done before, or take the road down to the quayside and walk past the Sunderland University buildings, which is the route we took.
St. Peter's Church. The tower is Saxon, the rest much later.
Sunderland was, like Tyneside, a shipbuilding town. The heavy industry has gone and this section of the quay has been taken over by works of art, Sunderland University Library and the Glass Centre.
A work of art......
......................the library..............
....................and the glass centre. It houses a museum, a café and a workshop where visitors can watch glassware being blown. Well worth watching.
Well beyond the centre the path meanders round the marina, full of small boats and with decorated walls.
A fllet of small boats in the marina
Some of the decorated bricks.
Beyond the South Roker Pier the path, which is the start or finish of the Weardale Way, depending on which way round you walk it, there is a row of cafes and restaurants, quite busy today, mainly being used by gadgies eating out.
The footpath, mostly very flat, follows the coast past Whitburn, a windmill is visible some way in land, past rifle ranges and the Whitburn coastal park where we called a Herbie. It was late in the day, we didn't start walking until noon.
The North Sea at our Herbie Spot
NOTE. Although it was raining when we started nobody is wearing waterproofs and the sky is blue. The weatherman lied. For lunch, apart from a sandwich, we shared home made cookies, home made blackberry and rhubarb cakes from Mrs A and homemade flapjacks created with my own fair hands. Well OK, I got a lot of advice and assistance.
Waling on we passed Souter Ligthouse, now a National Trust Property.
Just a coastal view
Souter Lighthouse which is really vertical, more than can be said for me.
Beyond the lighthouse the path crosses the green which was once Marsden Village and coal mine. The pit was closed about 1960, the village was demolished because of coastal erosion and all that is left is the kilns at the old limestone quarry.
Lime kilns at Marsden
The entrance to the famous Marsden Grotto, take the lift down the cliff.
Soon we reached South Shields, walking along the promenade, passing the ground where the Great North Run Ends, going through South Marine Park and heading down Ocean Road, a thoroughfare lined with curry houses, fish and chip shops and other food outlets.
It was only four pm so we walked almost the length of the street and headed for the local Wetherspoon's Pub, the Woodhave
Wetherspoon's Wouldhave, South Shields
Somewhat refreshed with a pint or two we returned to Ocean Road. Our usual curry house, the Asha, was closed until six. A gentleman on the street recommended the Café India, a few yards away, so we went there. What a surprise, he was the owner! After a very satisfying meal we went home, some by ferry to North Shields and onwards, some by Metro to Newcastle.
This coastal walk has lots of interest, industrial and otherwise. The birders spotted turnstones, a gannet, a razorbill, oystercatchers and four herons flying together
A bit light on pedometer readings today without Dave but:
NAK 26232 steps 11.58 miles, too generous
iPhone 22839 9.95
OUTDOOR GPS 9.97
Brian 9.97 too I think
Contains OS data, Copyright. Crown copyright and database right 2017
*Bede (known as Venerable or Saint Bede)
Monk, scholar and historian. He started his monastic life at St. Peter's before moving to St. Paul's at Jarrow on South Tyneside. He was the only person born in Great Britain to be made a doctor of the church. His most famous book is The Ecclesiastical History of the English People and he is often considered as the father of English history
The local weatherman has promised a very wet day for this Friday. Instead of heading for the hills we are heading by metro for Sunderland and walking back north up the coast to South Shields for a curry and a beer. Several have excused themselves on this wet day and we four are Brian, Harry, John Ha. and me.
There is no need for a map but should you want one use OS Explorer 308 Durham and Sunderland for a short stretch at the beginning and OS Explorer 316 Newcastle upon Tyne for the rest.
We met at St. Peter's Metro station, just north of the River Wear. The nearby church is well worth a visit. Originally the monastery where Bede* learnt his trade before moving to St. Paul's at Jarrow, it is one of the oldest churches in England, dating back to 674 AD.
Leaving the station, wearing waterproofs, we crossed the road using the subway like sensible gadgies.
There is a choice, visit the church which we have done before, or take the road down to the quayside and walk past the Sunderland University buildings, which is the route we took.
Sunderland was, like Tyneside, a shipbuilding town. The heavy industry has gone and this section of the quay has been taken over by works of art, Sunderland University Library and the Glass Centre.
Well beyond the centre the path meanders round the marina, full of small boats and with decorated walls.
Beyond the South Roker Pier the path, which is the start or finish of the Weardale Way, depending on which way round you walk it, there is a row of cafes and restaurants, quite busy today, mainly being used by gadgies eating out.
The footpath, mostly very flat, follows the coast past Whitburn, a windmill is visible some way in land, past rifle ranges and the Whitburn coastal park where we called a Herbie. It was late in the day, we didn't start walking until noon.
Waling on we passed Souter Ligthouse, now a National Trust Property.
Beyond the lighthouse the path crosses the green which was once Marsden Village and coal mine. The pit was closed about 1960, the village was demolished because of coastal erosion and all that is left is the kilns at the old limestone quarry.
Soon we reached South Shields, walking along the promenade, passing the ground where the Great North Run Ends, going through South Marine Park and heading down Ocean Road, a thoroughfare lined with curry houses, fish and chip shops and other food outlets.
It was only four pm so we walked almost the length of the street and headed for the local Wetherspoon's Pub, the Woodhave
Wetherspoon's Wouldhave, South Shields
Somewhat refreshed with a pint or two we returned to Ocean Road. Our usual curry house, the Asha, was closed until six. A gentleman on the street recommended the Café India, a few yards away, so we went there. What a surprise, he was the owner! After a very satisfying meal we went home, some by ferry to North Shields and onwards, some by Metro to Newcastle.
This coastal walk has lots of interest, industrial and otherwise. The birders spotted turnstones, a gannet, a razorbill, oystercatchers and four herons flying together
A bit light on pedometer readings today without Dave but:
NAK 26232 steps 11.58 miles, too generous
iPhone 22839 9.95
OUTDOOR GPS 9.97
Brian 9.97 too I think
*Bede (known as Venerable or Saint Bede)
Monk, scholar and historian. He started his monastic life at St. Peter's before moving to St. Paul's at Jarrow on South Tyneside. He was the only person born in Great Britain to be made a doctor of the church. His most famous book is The Ecclesiastical History of the English People and he is often considered as the father of English history
L
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