North Tyneside · Town
Whitley Bay
Tyneside's classic seaside resort — a long promenade, a landmark lighthouse, and a restored Edwardian pleasure dome.
From Whitley to Whitley Bay
The town was originally known simply as "Whitley," adding "Bay" to its name in the early 20th century to set itself apart from its better-known rival, Whitby. It grew rapidly through the Victorian and Edwardian eras as a holiday destination for Tyneside's industrial workforce, arriving by train for a day, or a week, beside the sea.
Two statues nicknamed the Dancing Cymbal Girl and Tambourine Girl have topped the Spanish City dome since it opened in 1910. Damaged and removed over the years, both were restored and put back exactly where they belong as part of the 2018 renovation.
The Spanish City
Opened in 1910, the domed Spanish City quickly became one of the North of England's premier entertainment venues, its ballroom, concert hall and funfair earning it the nickname "the Playground of the North." Decades of decline led to closure in 2000, and the Grade II-listed dome stood empty for almost twenty years before an almost £10m restoration, backed by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, reopened it in 2018 as a home for restaurants, tearooms and event space.
Lighthouse and links
St Mary's Lighthouse stands just north of the town on a small tidal island, reachable on foot when the tide allows. Running the length of the seafront, the Links — a wide stretch of green promenade — has given generations of visitors somewhere to walk between the beach and the town.
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Quick facts
- Borough
- North Tyneside
- Historic county
- Northumberland
- Coast
- North Sea
- Known for
- Spanish City, St Mary's Lighthouse