This is such a lovey weekend walk idea to try as a couple, with friends or kids. It's dog friendly too. We park at Low Lights Car Park on North Shields Fish Quay which is free and walk up to the market then back again.
It's around 3k in total so not a big walk but it is up hill on the way there (although there are seats and I've managed to push a buggy up here a few times).
It's around 3k in total so not a big walk but it is up hill on the way there (although there are seats and I've managed to push a buggy up here a few times).
- Pushchair / mobility scooter friendly (there is a steady incline)
- 3km (circular) in length with beautiful views
- Toilets at the start, end and mid-way
- Plenty of seating along the route
- Lots of places to stop for food, drinks and shopping
- Dog & child friendly
- Combine with a trip to the beach
- Free parking and accessible by boat / Shields ferry
- Includes a visit to Tynemouth Market which is thriving with local businesses - think Pokemon Cards, Cheesecakes, Pre-Loved Toys, Street Food, Fresh Bread, Homeware, Local Photography, Jewellery, LEGO and Collectibles
The official postcode is NE30 1JQ but I know this postcode doesn't work for every SatNav. If you're having problems, maybe try the postcode for The Ship's Cat (NE30 1JH) or Lobo Rojo (NE30 1HB), both of which are close to the car park. Once you're in the vicinity, head to the beach area / follow the car park signs. You should see this pink coffee hut in the car park.
I would definitely recommend parking up before 10am if possible as this area does get busy during the day. If you go early, there are usually plenty of spaces but we've had to queue for spots later in the day (especially if it's a sunny day).
There are lots of places to grap a coffee or even stop for breakfast along the fish quay. You're spoilt for choice! Las time we grabbed a coffee from Di Maggios in the car park and it was decent. We'd also recommend The Wheelhouse for takeaway drinks.
If you're arriving by Shields Ferry, just turn right as you leave the terminal and walk along the fish quay. This will add around 15 mins/0.7 miles onto your journey each way but it's an easy walk.
Starting the weekend with a coffee by the sea when the sun is shining is just the best!
There is a small beach here (Low Lights Sands) and it's dog friendly all year round. There is lots of seating to just sit and take the world in and there is a lower prom that hugs the coastline and it perfect for kids to scoot along or ride their bikes as parents catch up with coffee.
Keep the coast on your right hand side and you will see the hill that takes you up to Tynemouth. There are step & step-free routes but these are easy to see as you are walking along. It's not steep, the photo below hopefully gives you an idea of the gradient. I have noticed people on mobility scooters taking this route and I've pushed a pushchair up here too.
There are seats along the hill which are ideal if you need a breather / would like to take in those views.
Once you get to the top of the hill, you'll arrive in a car park. You need to walk around the main building in the photo below.
Then walk up this road (taking care as it is shared with cars although not too busy).
At the end of the street, you need to cross the road and you will see a Army Centre in front of you. Keep this building on your left hand side and walk right around the perimeter of the building.
You'll then see Tynemouth Station entrance in front of you which is where the market is held. It's pretty straight forward but if you're stuck, there are plenty of people around to point you in the right direction.
This is actually the sneaky side entrance.
Tynemouth Market takes place every Saturday and Sunday inside Tynemouth Metro Station. It's undercover and open from 9am-3:30pm. FREE entry. There are public toilets in the station.
Dogs on leads are welcome but it can get busy. Personally, I wouldn't take Fozzy as he'd be a liability but if your dog is fine with crowds, other dogs and can walk on a lead to heel, I imagine they'll be fine.
It is accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs but the market does take place on both platforms and there is a bridge with multiple steps connecting the two. You could either just miss out the second platform (it is smaller) or you can walk around the outside of the station which does take around 5 minutes but is pretty straight forward and step free.
In the past we have folded a pushchair up and carried it over too so that's a third option.
The photos in this post were taken in January 2024 and it had been a while since our last visit. I was honestly SO impressed with the quality and variety on offer. Sometimes stallholders won't be there every week but I quite like that as it means there is always something new to discover.
Most stalls accepted both cash and card.
It's brill for kids, there were pre-loved stuffed toy stalls, a couple of Pokemon card stalls, a pancake van which seemed popular for them, a LEGO stall and other collectible toy stalls. It was fab!
There were loads of street food stalls and food to take away too - you are spoilt! Pizzas, Vegan options, Greek Gyros, Pancakes, Bacon Baps, Baked Goods, Cookies, Cakes, Butchers, Bread.......It was a little foodie heaven. I'd recommend bringing a few bags with you as you're going to want to pick up lots of weekend treats.
We loved this little collectable pin badge stall and bought a couple to add to our collection.
The homeware on offer was fantastic - bowls, plates, mugs, furniture, candles, reclaimed items, vases, pictures, local art and photography. I said to Steve when we are decorating / sprucing up a room we must come back here.
And some of the desserts were real showstoppers! We bought a few cakes from this stall for the kids.
Below are the steps to cross the bridge which can be avoided if you walk around the outside of the station.
It's worth mentioning that there are some really cute businesses permanently inside the station too - Buy the Kilo, Tynemouth Barbars, Common Ilke Vintage, Sweet Reminisce and Jules Fleur in the Sidings for example or Platform 2 Bar if you fancy a drink.
We spent an 1hr 15 minutes walking from North Shields to Tynemouth Station, stopping for a little sit down to take in the views and having a browse around all of the stalls. It was just under 3km for the circular loop.
You can watch a video walk through of this walk here
It would be SO easy to continue into Tynemouth Village and even walk from Tynemouth to Whitley Bay (this walk features two playgrounds). If you're with kids and they're getting tired you could always catch the Metro back.
Or the other way, you could catch the Shields Ferry to South Shields and visit the LEGO exhibitions at the Word or continue down to the sea front and visit the playgrounds, beach and funfair.
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Or the other way, you could catch the Shields Ferry to South Shields and visit the LEGO exhibitions at the Word or continue down to the sea front and visit the playgrounds, beach and funfair.
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