I
Early history
Whitley was first mentioned around 1100 when King Henry I conferred it with other possessions on the Priory of Tynemouth; it was referred to in ancient documents and maps before that date as Witelei, Wyteley, Hwyteleg,…
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Bay
Whitley Bay is a seaside town in the North Tyneside borough of Tyne and Wear, England. It was formerly governed as part of Northumberland and has been part of Tyne and Wear since 1974. It is part of the wider Tyneside built-up area, being around 10 miles (16 km) north-east of Newcastle upon Tyne city centre. The population of Whitley Bay at the 2021 census was 38,323.
County
Tyne and Wear
Known for
Seaside town in Tyne and Wear, England
A Journey Through Time
The story of Whitley Bay — from the archive to today.
Guide
II
19th century to present
From the late 19th century and into the 20th century, the adverse effects of the decline of local coal mining and dependent industries in the area were ameliorated by the emergence of Whitley as a seaside holiday…
III
Geography
Whitley Bay is around 10 miles east of Newcastle upon Tyne. It is bounded by the coastline of the North Sea to the east. Tynemouth is 3 miles south. St Mary's Island, a tidal island at the northern tip of the town, is…
Culture & Landmarks
Places and stories connected to Whitley Bay.
St Mary's Lighthouse
St Mary's Lighthouse is on the tiny St Mary's Island, just north of Whitley Bay on the coast of North East England. The small rocky tidal…
Tynemouth
Tynemouth is a coastal town in the metropolitan borough of North Tyneside, in Tyne and Wear, England. Historically the easternmost town in…
Cullercoats
Cullercoats is a coastal settlement in the metropolitan borough of North Tyneside, Tyne and Wear, England. Historically in Northumberland, it has now been absorbed into the wider Tyneside conurbation, sitting between…
Local flavour
Transport
The Tyne and Wear Metro Yellow line runs through the town with Whitley Bay, Monkseaton, West Monkseaton and Cullercoats stations serving the town. A Metro journey to Newcastle city centre takes…
Media
The local weekly newspaper, The News Guardian, is published by Johnston Press and printed on the presses of the Sunderland Echo in nearby Sunderland. The alternative free weekly paper is the…
Education
There are two high schools in the town: Whitley Bay High School and Monkseaton High School. The town is one of the few remaining in the UK that operates on a three-tier system, with first, middle and…
Regeneration
On 20 February 2007, North Tyneside Council announced plans to regenerate the Spanish City and Whitley Bay. At the core of the plan was the redevelopment of the Spanish City site with its iconic…
Venues nearby
Places near Whitley Bay
Museums, theatres and attractions — not business listings.
Walks nearby
Trails near Whitley Bay
Assigned walks plus nearby routes within a short drive.
moderate · 8.4km
Holywell Dene and Delaval Hall Circular
Whitley Bay
moderate · 8.9km
Seaton Burn Circular
Whitley Bay
easy · 6.3km
Seaton Sluice and Hartley Circular
Whitley Bay
moderate · 9km
Whitley Bay and Tynemouth
Whitley Bay
easy · 4.8km
Rising Sun Park
Newcastle upon Tyne
easy · 5.6km
Holywell Country Circular
Whitley Bay
moderate · 9.8km
Cramlington Nature Reserve and Spoon
Cramlington
easy · 7.2km
Rising Sun Country Park Circular
Newcastle upon Tyne
MyTyne directory
Local businesses
Places near Whitley Bay from the MyTyne directory.
Mortgage Brokers
Hello Financial Limited
Whitley Bay
Mortgage Brokers
Bay Leaf Paraplanning Services Ltd
Whitley Bay
Mortgage Brokers
John Wilkinson Financial Planning Ltd
Whitley Bay
Insurance Brokers
Tyneside Mortgage Advice Centre Limited
Whitley Bay
Insurance Brokers
Taylor Hartley Ltd
Whitley Bay
Insurance Brokers
Lucky Mortgages Limited
Whitley Bay
Estate Agents
Rir Property Ltd
Whitley Bay
Estate Agents
Atre Ltd
Whitley Bay
What's on
Events near Whitley Bay
Tue 14 Jul · £15.50 £15.50 Must pre-book. You can book a trial. You can join anytime during the term.
Weekly Art Classes: 6-16yrs
art-K Jesmond · Newcastle
Fri 17 Jul
North East Tabletop Expo
Gateshead International Stadium · Gateshead
Mon 13 Jul · Standard
Treasure Museum Trail
Great North Museum: Hancock · Newcastle
Mon 13 Jul · Standard
Treasure: Hidden, Lost, Found
Great North Museum: Hancock · Newcastle
Tue 21 Jul · Standard
Treasure Tuesdays - Great North Museum: Hancock
Great North Museum: Hancock · Newcastle
Wed 22 Jul · Standard
Relaxed Early Opening
Great North Museum: Hancock · Newcastle
Explore the map
Whitley Bay · 55.0456, -1.4443
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Plan your visit to Whitley Bay
Explore the map, browse nearby guides, and find what's on across Tyne & Wear.