Tynemouth Guide: Market, Priory, Longsands and Where to Eat
A Metro day out to Tynemouth planned around what is actually open, from the weekend station market to the priory, Longsands and Riley's Fish Shack.
Tynemouth is the easiest seaside day out from Newcastle: take the Metro to Tynemouth station, browse Tynemouth Markets inside the station on a Saturday or Sunday from 9am to 3.30pm, walk out to the priory and castle on the headland, then head to Longsands for a surf lesson or a walk and finish with seafood at Riley's Fish Shack on King Edward's Bay. A few things are worth knowing before you go this autumn: parts of the priory are closed for maintenance, so tickets are 30% cheaper; Riley's separate Fish Shop in the village is marked temporarily closed; and the aquarium's Seal Cove is shut for maintenance until Saturday 24 October.
Getting there by Metro
Tynemouth is on the Tyne and Wear Metro, along with Cullercoats and Whitley Bay further up the coast, so you can walk between them and ride back. The Pop card works on every Metro service, and note that up to three children aged 11 and under travel free with a fare-paying adult every day, which makes this one of the cheapest family trips from the city. Journey planning is on Travel North East.
Tynemouth Markets
The market is held inside Tynemouth station itself, on Station Terrace, every Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 3.30pm. Expect a big mix of stalls and street food, and dogs are allowed. Get there for 9am if you want to browse before the crowds, then grab breakfast from the food traders. There is paid parking on the west side of the station if someone in your group is driving.
Tynemouth Priory and Castle
The priory and castle stand on the headland looking out over the mouth of the Tyne. English Heritage runs the site, open daily from 10am to 5pm with last entry at 4.15pm. You get the ruins of the medieval priory church, tombstones of Tynemouth mariners, the 15th century Percy Chantry, the 14th century gatehouse, and underground gun batteries from both World Wars. Right now the Choir, Chapel and Presbytery of the priory are closed for essential maintenance, so tickets are 30% off, applied automatically. Separately, arriving by bus, train or bike earns 20% off tickets bought at the site on the day: show your travel ticket on arrival. Details on English Heritage.
Longsands and Tynemouth Surf Co
Longsands is the long sandy beach north of the priory and the place to learn to surf in the North East. Tynemouth Surf Co runs its surf school from beside the lifeguard station on Longsands and is an accredited Surfing England Centre of Excellence. It also does equipment hire, and its shop is at Palace Buildings on Grand Parade. Lessons and hire are booked through its website or on 0191 258 2496.
Riley's Fish Shack, King Edward's Bay
Riley's Fish Shack sits down on the sand at King Edward's Bay, the small cove just north of the priory. It cooks chargrilled and wood-roasted seafood from the local day boats, with a menu that changes with the catch: think monkfish, turbot, squid, langoustines, lobster, oysters and mackerel, with specials announced daily. Book through the Riley's website or on WhatsApp, because it fills up on sunny weekends. Its separate Fish Shop and restaurant in the village is marked temporarily closed, so do not go looking for it.
Tynemouth Aquarium, Grand Parade
Tynemouth Aquarium on Grand Parade has a Seal Cove with seal shows, a seal hospital, sharks and rays, talks and feeds, plus the Bay and Laurel restaurant. Its seal hospital recently returned two seals to the North Sea. Seal Cove is closed for essential maintenance from Sunday 18 to Saturday 24 October, with no seal shows that week, so if seals are the point of the trip, go after that.
Good to know
A good loop: Metro to Tynemouth, market, priory, King Edward's Bay for lunch at Riley's, then along Longsands to the aquarium and the surf school. On weekdays the station is quiet because the market only runs at weekends. Wind off the sea makes the headland feel colder than the city, so bring a layer. For more coast and countryside trips see our day trips from Newcastle, and for events on the coast check What's On.
FAQs
When is Tynemouth Market on?
Every Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 3.30pm, inside Tynemouth Metro station on Station Terrace. Dogs are allowed.
How do I get to Tynemouth from Newcastle?
Take the Tyne and Wear Metro to Tynemouth station. Up to three children aged 11 and under travel free with a paying adult.
Is Tynemouth Priory open?
Yes, daily from 10am to 5pm with last entry at 4.15pm, but the priory's Choir, Chapel and Presbytery are closed for maintenance, so tickets are 30% off. Arriving by bus, train or bike also earns a discount on tickets bought on the day.
Where should I eat in Tynemouth?
Riley's Fish Shack on King Edward's Bay for chargrilled day-boat seafood, booked ahead at weekends. The aquarium on Grand Parade also has the Bay and Laurel restaurant.
