English Coastal Path
South Shields to Marsden Rock and Return
Tyne and Wear
Distance 14km Climb 105m
Wednesday 19 February 2020
It was nice to walk along here today, the last time I had walked along here was when I did the South Tyneside Heritage Trail in July 2017. A few years ago now and I had walked this particular path from the south to the north. It was in December 2016 that was the last time I did this route and it was interesting to see there had been a few changes.
I met Les and Evo on the Lawe Top at Arbeia Roman Fort. The weather was cold but we would soon warm up. The forecast was for rain but that would be later in the day. Leaving the transport we walked north onto Greens Place to have a look down onto and over the River Tyne.
We turned right and followed Greens Place round to the top of Lawe Road and the two old beacons. We crossed the road into North Marine Park and dropped down the path passing the old Pilot's House and turned left down the first set of steps.
At the bottom of the steps we crossed Sea Road, Evo spotted some people walking a ferret. We walked towards the figures near the Little Haven Hotel, where Les and Evo had to say hello.
We turned left, and took the path near the hotel onto the Groyne, passing a large grey tortoise. After watching the Nissan car ferry and taking a few photos.
We took to the sand and followed the water line south heading towards the pier.
Leaving the beach we walked the soft sand up onto the promenade and the start of the pier. Passing the Volunteer Life Brigade Search and Rescue.
Turning right along the Promenade passed the outside of the Ocean Beach Pleasure Park, we crossed onto the sand. Working our way through the grass on the sand we headed for the waters edge. I saw the little birds that run in and out of the water. They looked like the same type of birds I saw on Magilligan Beach, but I could not remember what they were called. Reaching home I looked it up again and found they could be stints. The way the light is reflected is lovely.
We returned to the promenade where Les pointed out the new Colman's restaurant, this wasn't here the last time I walked along here.
On reaching Trow Rocks we walked up to the gun, checked out the views and took a few more photos.
Crows and pigeons sheltered in the grass on the cliff edge.
Returning to the path we moved south. I told Evo and Les that a few years ago owls had been living on the cliff face in the area that was now to our right. There were so many places on the rock face where they could have nested, but I never saw them. At the top of the path we continued south along the coast line beside the Leas.
We followed the cliff edge where we could walk safely as it twists and turns in and out. At the south end of Frenchman's Bay we had a short rest, looking back up the coast we could see St Mary's Lighthouse and all the way passed Blyth. Sprouting out of the sea we could see a number of wind turbines off the Northumberland Coast. I have not included the photo as unfortunately the features I mention are not very clear.
We continued southwards following the coastal path and took the steps down to Man Haven Bay. I told Les and Evo that in the passed a number of fishermen used to keep their fishing boats in this Bay.
Back on the coastal path we continued around towards the south. There is a path that leads down to Marsden Sands, so we decided to go down for a quick look and see if we could walk the beach. The tide was in and so we decided after a few photos we would walk back up to the coastal path and continued along the path by the safety rail.
Back on the top we could see along Marsden Sands, the stone pillar called Lot's wife and the famous Marsden Rock.
At the top of the path we dropped down slightly onto the steep ramp that took us down another way onto Marsden Sands.
Walking along we looked at the interesting features of the rock, some areas had large thick layers of stone some were almost wafer thin. Les had a look in one of the small caves which he found was quite big inside.
Continuing along the beach we walked a little passed the Marsden Grotto which I found is now not just a pub but also a hotel.
Where Les pointed out a log that we could use to sit and eat our lunch.
After our lunch we crossed the stones up towards the hotel then we took the steep steps up to the top.
At the top of the steep steps we turned left across the carpark passed the lift, back onto The Leas and had a quick look at the information boards.
After reading the notice boards we turned round and headed back across The Leas towards South Shields.
After a couple of kilometres we took the path down to the road beside Trow Rocks and onto the promenade.
Staying on the promenade we passed Ocean Beach Pleasure Park,
Passed the Voluntary Life Brigade Search and Rescue. As we passed The Dunes, Les suggested we have a short break.
Leaving The Dunes after our break we continued along the new promenade, passing the war memorial.
Moving from the promenade we had a look through the eye.
Crossed Sea Road and took the path that climbed up through North Marine Park, passing the Pilot's House.
Onto Lawe Road. The Harbour Lights has a ghost sign from old South Shields, showing that in the past it was called the Crown Inn.
We then took the road back down to Arbeia Roman Fort where we had left our transport. It had been a great day with brilliant people. We had covered nearly 14km with a 105m climb. I had had a really good day thanks to Les and Evo.
More to follow
Boz North
Details correct at time of walking.
If you have enjoyed reading my walk or found it useful you may also like to read other walks I have done on The English Coastal Path or other areas. Please check out the links on the right hand side.
Follow the link to when I walked the South Tyneside Heritage Trail.
Follow the link to my last walk along this route South Shields to Roker Pier.
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