Thursday 5th July
Tynemouth Castle and the 7^th century Priory site was once one of the largest fortified areas in England. Overlooking the North Sea and the River Tyne, they dominate the headland. 

Long Sands Beach on the north side is popular with families and very sheltered.

Two piers were started in 1854 but took over 40 years to complete due to adverse weather conditions amongst other setbacks. In 1898, the north pier was almost completely destroyed in a storm.  The remaining parts of the breakwater were consequently demolished and rebuilt by 1909 to a design by John Wolfe-Barry, who is probably best known for designing and constructing Tower Bridge in London.

A gun battery was built underground into the cliffs to defend the Tyne in the First and Second World Wars. The arches provide sheltered nesting sites for gulls.

There were several ships working along what appeared to be a sandbar.

Herd Groyne was built in the early 1880's to stop the sand from the beaches in Tynemouth's Harbour washing into the Tyne. The Lighthouse was built in 1882 and shows a series of lights indicating directions to be taken upon entering the port's breakwater walls. These still exist in fantastic condition.

We have now travelled about 30 miles north up the coast to Amble.