St Mary’s Lighthouse - Whitley Bay

Tobi M.

Really lovely place. Came here for a wedding where the tide comes in and keeps you 'stranded' for a few hours whilst the causeway is covered, it was a wonderful experience! The staff were very kind and helpful, and I've never seen so many seals basking on the rocks! There is also a great little museum.

Darren B.

Fantastic place to visit, not just a lighthouse but a nature reserve with Grey Seals and a wide variety of sea birds. You can go up the lighthouse, which gives phenomenal views of the Northumberland Coast. It's 137 steps to the top of the lighthouse but worth it. Check the tide timetables due to it being on a causeway.

Purdy B.

Amazing day at St Mary's Lighthouse. I spent around 6 hours here and the kids loved it. We found a secluded spot where we could put our beach towels down and chill out. The kids love the rock pools.

We only had 1 problem with the area and it was the amount of flies around. I mean hundreds haha. Loads of ladybirds as well. Ive never seen so many.

Sam S.

We've been visiting the lighthouse over the last few years once we found out that there were usually seals there, and we've never been disappointed!

Their social media page always has an up to date calendar showing the times you can cross to the island, as well as the times that the shop is open.

There's a large car park right next to the island which is only £3 for the day (and you can use the ticket to park at the other car parks in the area)
Note - There is a toilet block in the car park but seems to have some random opening times, it was open on Saturday but not on Sunday (who knows why!)
If the shop at the lighthouse is open, then there is a toilet in there.

As per usual we saw loads of seals and we spent a long time just watching them. We were lucky to see quite a few swimming around and then 'flopping' their way onto the island.

This visit was the first time we'd been for a while where the shop was actually open, so we decided to pay to go up to the top of the lighthouse. Only costs a few pounds but it was worth doing for the amazing views at the top.
(If you're afraid of heights the steps up can be scary, especially the last bit which was like a vertical ladder - but if I can manage it then most people can!)

The small shop itself is very nice, and sells lots of locally made gifts. And the staff are really friendly (and has a toilet)

Highly recommend a visit here if you're in the area (and the tide times work out for you!)

Michael B.

Beautiful place, nice to see the seals relaxing on the rocks and enjoying the sunshine. According to the nature preservation staff the seals only started to arrive in 2014.

It was a great day out, got some great photos.

Steve

Check the tide times and go over in plenty of time. The lighthouse is no longer operational but is over 100 years old. The stairs to the top and narrow and not for the faint hearted but worth it for the views and experience. Car parking is good and seal spotting on surrounding outcrop of rocks.

IAMUDDIN

Love this historical lighthouse standing on the North Sea shore near Whitley Bay. On a sunny day like this, it looks so majestic.

To access St Mary's Lighthouse visitors must go across St Mary's Causeway, which is approximately 170m long. St Mary's Causeway can only be crossed at low tide.

St Mary's Lighthouse is an important haul-out site for seals, when they come ashore to rest, moult and digest food.

Joanna B.

we went around the lighthouse it was such a lovely and sunny day. we were lucky to see so many seals on the rocks. In the bird watching room they have few binoculars which we used to watch seals up close, my daughters we're so happy to see seals and there was loads of ladybird 🐞 and loads of some kind of mini beetles which wasn't really pleasant as it was landing allover out bodies..