Walksfor All Seasons SOUTH SHIELDS FERRY

Home , Brockley Whins, Jarrow, Seaburn, Souter Lighthouse, South Shields, South Tyneside

Walksfor all seasons SOUTH SHIELDS FERRY

CHICHESTER The Leas PEDESTRIAN/CYCLE TUNNEL TYNE TUNNEL

Bede’s World Marsden Rock St Paul’s MARSDEN and Bay JARROW Church

TYNE DOCK Marsden HEBBURN Old Quarry

BEDE Marsden Souter Lime Kilns Lighthouse

Primrose Local TEMPLE Cleadon Water Nature Reserve PARK Pumping Station

BROCKLEY WHINS Cleadon Windmill Newton and Field Garths

FELLGATE BOLDON WHITBURN COLLIERY Tilesheds Colliery Station Nature Reserve CLEADON Wood Burn

EAST BOLDON

WEST BOLDON BOLDON SOUTH SHIELDS FERRY

CHICHESTER The Leas PEDESTRIAN/CYCLE TUNNEL TYNE TUNNEL

Bede’s World Marsden Rock St Paul’s MARSDEN and Bay JARROW Church

TYNE DOCK Marsden HEBBURN Old Quarry

BEDE Marsden Souter Lime Kilns Lighthouse

Primrose Local TEMPLE Cleadon Water Nature Reserve PARK Pumping Station

BROCKLEY WHINS Cleadon Windmill Newton and Field Garths

FELLGATE BOLDON WHITBURN COLLIERY Tilesheds Colliery Station Nature Reserve CLEADON Wood Burn

EAST BOLDON

WEST BOLDON BOLDON SECTION 1 – JARROW SLAKE River Don walk to Primrose

A six mile walk travelling RIVER TYNE through time and marvelling at the natural world, which exists along D ROA LEW the banks of the River CUR START Don from the River Tyne JARROW at Jarrow to West Boldon. SLAKE DEPOT The route passes Primrose Bede’s P R I World Local Nature Reserve, O R

Y Station Burn and Colliery R OA

Wood. D PARK SLAKE RD St.Paul’s Church to TYNE TUNNEL Jarrow Mosaic C H U 10% R C H B A N K

N G STRAK T W ER STREE

L BEDE

R INDUSTRIAL O

A ESTATE D METRO SCHOOL RIVER DON

11% 24 SIMONSIDE ESTATE

D SCHOOL R JARROW L

L CEMETERY E

W G N I R 14% P HILL S PARK ESTATE Turn left over the bridge and continue along this path, with the river on your right, until you reach the next footbridge. St. Paul’s Church This church has been used as a place of worship for over 1300 years. Inside you can view the foundations of a large Saxon church Getting to the start of the monastery founded in AD681 by There is a regular bus service between South Benedict Biscop. There are also fine examples Shields and Jarrow that stops on Church Bank of Saxon stone carvings created by the monks near St. Paul’s Church, only a short walk from to celebrate the glory of God. In the chancel, the start. The nearest metro station is Bede, look at the three round-headed windows – the about 15 minutes walk from the start. monks made the glass here during the 7th For more information contact Travel Line century. The Church, which has a well stocked on 0871 200 2233. shop, is open to visitors during daylight hours, except during church services. The walk starts at the point where the River Don enters the River Tyne. From here there are Bede’s World interesting views as you follow the stone path The extraordinary life of the Venerable Bede running parallel with the River Don until you created a rich legacy that is created today at reach Slake Road at the rear of St. Paul’s Church. Bede’s World. Bede lived and worked here 1300 Follow the road around the back of the Church years ago. Bede’s World includes a museum to the listed Jarrow Bridge, then take the path housing a major exhibition that transports adjacent to the river and take the right fork until visitors through the makings of Bede’s you reach Church Bank. Cross the road and Northumbria. There is a restaurant in the old continue along the wide path until you reach Jarrow Hall, next to the recreated Anglo Saxon a mosaic that has been incorporated into the Farm with many rare breeds of animals and full- tarmac. From here take the path adjacent to size early Northumbrian timber hall. the river and go under the dual carriageway For further information on opening and across to the point where the Metro bridge times telephone (0191) 489 2106 or visit crosses the A19. Pass beneath the Metro then www.bedesworld.co.uk immediately turn left and then right along the path that goes under the A19. On reaching the other side of the A19 turn left just before the footbridge, then follow the path, with Jarrow Cemetery on your left, until you reach Cemetery Road. This is the highest point on the river to be affected by tides. Cross the road, go over the river and then turn left along the tarmac path running parallel to the river until you reach a T-junction near a footbridge. SECTION 2 – PRIMROSE River Don walk TO STATION BURN

SCHOOL

14% HILL PARK b o ESTATE RN a BU r N d O w T K a N lk O M Primrose Local

P Nature Reserve R IM R O S E T to E R A19 R South A C Shields E

A19 NRD ROMA

KIRK 2 STO LANE H NE UE M E A VEN A D VE THA LE W PER 94 O A1 R TH L 14% A N

E SCHOOL CALF CLOSE ESTATE BROCKLEY 12% WHINS 10% ESTATE BROCKLEY WHINS LFCLOSE LA TH CA NE O STATION RN TR disused EE WA viaduct LK BIDDICK UNDERLAND NEWCASTLE TOS HALL S WAY T ESTATE METRO/RAIL H A E T D 12% IO W 14 N FELLGATE STATION O Station 8% R R RIV TH D Burn 13% ER LA DO NE N 14% Cross the bridge and follow the path alongside the river and Primrose Nature Reserve. On reaching the pond area you will SCHOOL discover a seating area and good views of the wildfowl on the water. Continuing upstream, the route leads past two more footbridges to 14% HILL Roman Road near the Robin Hood pub. PARK b ESTATE o Cross Roman Road, go under Leam Lane RN a BU r N d O w and at the other side take the tarmac path over the boardwalk and cross back over the T K a N lk running adjacent to the river. When you O river below the disused railway viaduct. Turn M Primrose Local reach Hedworth Lane turn right and, at the immediately left adjacent to the river and top of the hill, cross the road and take the go through the metal kissing gate. Continue P Nature Reserve R IM path along Thorntree Walk. Cross the road along the path until you reach four more R O S E and take the footpath opposite, which runs kissing gates. T to E R A19 parallel to the railway, until you reach the R South A Primrose Local Nature C Shields side of the A19. Turn left and follow the path E until you reach the footbridge. Reserve Created by the Council in 1990, this five Take the footbridge across the A19 and then hectare reserve boasts ponds, reedbeds and turn right taking the path that runs adjacent grasslands, with flowers such as yellow iris to the A19. Pass under the railway bridge and meadowsweet – all linked by the River and turn immediately left up the steps. Don. The reserve is home to the threatened A19 NRD Follow the stone path running adjacent to the ROMA water vole and also water birds such as railway until you reach Station Road. Cross moorhen, reed bunting and kingfisher. KIRK 2 STO the road and go through the metal kissing LANE H NE UE M E A VEN A D VE THA gate into Station Burn Local Nature Reserve, LE W PER 94 O A1 R then follow the footpath along the river. TH L 14% A Go past the first footbridge and, at the next N E SCHOOL bridge, cross the river and turn immediately CALF CLOSE right up the slope along the grass path. Go ESTATE BROCKLEY 12% WHINS 10% ESTATE BROCKLEY WHINS LFCLOSE LA TH CA NE O STATION RN TR disused EE WA viaduct LK BIDDICK UNDERLAND NEWCASTLE TOS HALL S WAY T ESTATE METRO/RAIL H A E T D 12% IO W 14 N FELLGATE STATION O Station 8% R R RIV TH D Burn 13% ER LA DO NE N 14% SECTION 3 – STATION BURN River Don walk TO NEWCASTLE ROAD RIV ER DO R N AI D LW E A S Y U S I FARM D

SED DISU

Colliery

E N Wood A L D L O W S T O C

NEW ROAD SCHOOL

ASDA N O R T H R O A D

ST. NICHOLAS CHURCH

184 OAD A FINISH STLER GARAGE NEWCA Getting from the finish There are regular bus services from North Road to Jarrow via Boldon Colliery. The nearest railway/metro station is Brockley Whins, which you passed early on the walk.

Go through the kissing gates and underneath Contact Travel Line on 0871 200 2233. the old mineral line before reach Colliery Wood. Follow the stone path down the side Station Burn and of the tree plantation and cross the bridge Colliery Wood near to the playing fields, then follow the The River Don runs through an attractive and stone path to New Road opposite the school. secluded little valley known as Station Burn Turn left along the pavement for about 350 Local Nature Reserve. Rich in wildlife, this metres until you reach the river on your right. is one of the best places in the north east Follow the tarmac path that runs adjacent to to see the tracks and signs of the rare and the river, going past four bridges, until you threatened water vole. There are wildflower reach North Road where you need to turn left rich meadows and ponds with amphibians up the road to St. Nicholas’s Church. and dragonflies. Nearby Colliery Wood was created by South Tyneside Council in 2000 by the planting of over 50,000 trees and shrubs on the reclaimed former Boldon Colliery site. SECTION 1 – BROCKLEY WHINS Linnet Way TO TILESHEDS small tunnel and continue alongside the railway, then through the underpass to Hopkins Walk. Bear right onto Masefield Drive then turn right and follow the road for approximately 500 metres until you reach Orwell Close, where you need to turn right along the road before following the stone track straight in front. W H Follow the track onto the Newton Garths site I T E L and stay on the main path all the way to Benton E A S Road. Cross the road and walk parallel to the W A five mile walk through lovely countryside A houses heading towards Tilesheds Local Nature Y from Brockley Whins metro station to the Coast Reserve. Here it is possible to use the other path at Marsden. The route passes through Station to make a circular walk around the Reserve if Burn, Newton Garths, Tilesheds and Marsden you wish. Follow the path to Whiteleas Way NUE Old Quarry. The walk links the River Don to the bus turning circle. AVE ISON Coastal Walk to create a long cross-borough NEV walk from Jarrow to South Shields with a total distance of 12.5 miles.

E The route is named after a small bird – the IN L L Linnet – a finch which breeds in gorse bushes RA INE and hedgerows along the Linnet Way. Look BROCKLEY M

WHINS BIDDICK HALL COMMUNITY W W

for flocks of these bonny little birds, with their E H

ESTATE CENTRE S I O T R T W E dancing flight and twittering song. START E B L H L L C E L E OSE N A A T R S

O T Getting to the start M N O W A N N SE R A FI Y O M D ELD O D A The walk starts at Brockley Whins metro station, R underpass RIV I E E D N IV E which lies on the Sunderland to Newcastle line. R R A L Regular bus services stop on Cotswold Lane, disused 11% L I FARM N Boldon Colliery, a short walk from the station. viaduct E C O N For more information contact Travel Line on T Y EWC S A W AS W SCHOOL 0871 200 2233. O L T L I LE D A TO Newton L R S 12% A U Garths N ND From Brockley Whins metro station, head east E D E E R S LA along the tarmac path running adjacent to the U N S D I RA railway, passing the bus turning circle before D ILW AY /M reaching a large footbridge. Continue heading E Colliery TR east alongside the railway until you reach a Wood O disused railway viaduct where the path splits Tilesheds into two. Take the left fork and go through the Nature Reserve pond Tilesheds Nature Reserve The reserve was created in the early 1990s with extensive involvement from the local community. The pond has breeding mute swans, moorhens and coots, whilst the plantations have matured into good habitats for birds such as warblers and thrushes.

W H I T E L E A S W Newton Garths A Y This site was developed to provide a wide range of wildlife habitats ranging from wildflower meadows to mixed woodland and willow and NUE hazel coppices. It also offers panoramic views of AVE ISON the area. NEV

E IN L L RA INE BROCKLEY M

WHINS BIDDICK HALL COMMUNITY W W

E H

ESTATE CENTRE S I O T R T START WE B E L H L L C E L E OSE N A A T R S

O T M N O W A N N SE R A FI Y O M D ELD O D A R underpass RIV I E E D N IV E R R

A L disused 11% L I FARM N viaduct E C O N T Y EWC S A W AS W SCHOOL O L T L I LE D A TO Newton L R S 12% A U Garths N ND E D E E R S LA U N S D I RA D ILW AY /M E Colliery TR Wood O Tilesheds Nature Reserve pond SECTION 2 – TILESHEDS TO

CLEADON WATER TOWER T H E 14% L O GOLF COURSE S N Linnet Way U N N E E D AN N YL e E RR t R QUA L u o A r LEISURE N D n i CENTRE R PLAYING a O A FIELDS m D

Cleadon

CLEADON route PARK e Water Pumping

v i N

t Station

G a

GE n

OR e

t Temple l 9%

G a

E Park m R OAD O ONR UPATI a A OCC i SCHOOL D n r o 11% u

GARAGE e

S U

NUE N AVE N

ON I NS S VI I NE D E Windmill L

N Field

O SCHOOL

WHITELEAS W PLAYING

ESTATE Y FIELDS

ALLOTMENTS to Cleadon

Cleadon Water Pumping Station The buildings are neo-italianate Green Man in style with a campanile chimney Sculpture which is one of the most prominent landmarks of the region. Built by Sculpture Thomas Hawksley in 1863, the pumping station is now a listed Tilesheds Nature building and part of a conservation Reserve area. T H E 14% L O GOLF COURSE S N U N N E E D AN N YL e E RR t R QUA L u o A r LEISURE N D n i CENTRE R PLAYING a O A FIELDS m D

Cleadon

CLEADON route PARK e Water Pumping

v i N

t Station

G a

GE n

OR e

t Temple l 9%

G a

E Park m R OAD O ONR UPATI a A OCC i SCHOOL D n r o 11% u

GARAGE e

S U

NUE N AVE N

ON I NS S VI I NE D E Windmill L

N Field

O SCHOOL

WHITELEAS W PLAYING

ESTATE Y FIELDS

ALLOTMENTS to Cleadon The main route goes around the bus turning When you reach King George Road, cross circle (halfway along) and when you reach it and follow the track opposite known as the end of the houses the path carries straight Occupation Road. Cross over Sunderland ahead before forking left between two blocks Road and continue up the track towards of woodland. You will pass the “Green Man”, Cleadon Water Tower. When you reach the Green one of a number of sculptures that were tower there are two alternative routes, as Man Sculpture installed to mark the area previously known explained in section 3. as the Great North Forest. When you reach the far end of the woodland blocks, turn left Sculpture along the track until you reach Holder House Tilesheds Way. Nature Reserve Continue up the road past the school playing fields and turn right along the path before crossing Nevinson Avenue to continue along the path into Temple Park. SECTION 3 – CLEADON WATER Linnet Way TOWER TO THE COAST

FINISH CARAVAN PARK

YLANE QUARR 7% DRO WAR GOLF E ED 11% RINC Marsden COURSE P Old Quarry

L IZ A route R ative 9% D ern L alt A N E T H E 14% L O GOLF COURSE N N E N e t u o r n i a m

Cleadon

route

e Water Pumping

v i

t Station a

l 9% a

a i n

r o 11% u

I D

E Windmill L

N Field

E FINISH CARAVAN PARK

YLANE QUARR 7% DRO WAR GOLF E ED 11% RINC Marsden COURSE P Old Quarry To follow the main route for walkers Turn right along the track until you reach the southern end of the Water Tower. Then turn left and continue straight ahead L IZ A with the stone wall on your right until you reach a kissing gate, route R ative 9% D which gives you access to the golf course. Cross the course ern L alt A N E following the markers and cross the stone stile on the far side T H 14% E into Marsden Old Quarry Local Nature Reserve. Ignore the path L O GOLF COURSE N on your right and continue straight ahead down the slope until N E N you reach the track known as Quarry Lane. Turn right and e t u o follow this until you reach Lizard Lane. Cross the road and go r n i down the path on the southern side of the caravan park and the a m golf course until you reach the Coast Road.

Cleadon To follow the alternative route (a mainly on-road

route option)

e Water Pumping

v i

t Station Turn left at the Water Tower along the track and then turn a

n r right where the track forks. Go up the track with the stone

t l 9%

a wall on your right, then at the top of the track turn left and m follow down to the road. Continue down the road until you a i n reach The Lonnen. Turn right, walking along the pavement r o 11% u until you reach Quarry Lane where you need to turn right and

U continue to the bus turning circle next to the White Horse pub. N

N From the pub, follow the track known as Quarry Lane through

S I

D Marsden Old Quarry Local Nature Reserve until you reach E Windmill L

A Lizard Lane. You have now rejoined the main route.

N Field

E Getting from the finish The bus stops at the end of this walk run regularly to either South Shields or Sunderland. For more information contact Travel Line on 0871 200 2233. SECTION 1 – SOUTH GROYNE TO Coastal Walk FRENCHMAN’S BAY South Groyne START South Pier

HOTEL Sculpture The Conversation Piece

LITTLEHAVEN BEACH H AR BO UR D RI VE NORTH MARINE PARK SANDHAVEN BEACH D ROA SEA SOUTH MARINE PARK D ROA CH S EA EA B R O BENTS A PARK D B E CARAVAN N PARK TS PA RK AY RO AW AD BENTS SE RECREATION GROUND

FORMER p ro WESTOE m e COLLIERY GYPSIES n A walk of a GREEN d SPORTS e Trow seven miles D GROUND Point OA R AY from the River Tyne BR OW M 10% c l to Whitburn Bents, if fs experiencing the crashing TROW 8% waves and rugged rock QUARRY cliffs along some of the most attractive coastline in the British

Isles. The route visits Marsden FRENCHMAN’S Rock and Souter Lighthouse, and also BAY A1 83 connects with the Marsden Circular Walk C OA ST The RO AD Leas South Groyne START South Pier

HOTEL Sculpture The Conversation Piece

LITTLEHAVEN BEACH H AR BO UR D RI Getting to the Start VE NORTH A bus between South Shields and Sunderland MARINE PARK provides a regular service to the coast and SANDHAVEN Sandhaven Beach. If you are travelling by BEACH D ROA Metro the nearest Metro station is South SEA SOUTH MARINE Shields. For more information contact Travel PARK D ROA Line on 0871 200 2233. The Conversation Piece CH S EA EA B R O BENTS A The “Conversation Piece” is made up of 22 PARK D From the South Groyne walk along Littlehaven B E CARAVAN life-size human-like bronze figures, which N PARK Beach to the start of the pier where you need TS PA weigh a quarter of a ton each. They were RK to turn left for approximately 200 metres AY RO AW AD BENTS created by the late Spanish artist Juan Munoz SE RECREATION before turning right along the promenade. GROUND Continue along the promenade past the who was one of the most respected artists of his generation. Installed in 1999 the work FORMER p ro fairground and the amphitheatre until you WESTOE m e offers a spectacular view over the sea. GYPSIES n COLLIERY a reach the far end of the bay at Trow Point. GREEN d e Trow SPORTS Take the track on your left signed “Coastal D GROUND Point OA R The Leas AY Footpath”. Follow the path next to the cliffs BR OW over The Leas area past the former Trow The Leas is 300 acres of grassy open M 10% c l if fs Quarry and Frenchman’s Bay space, given to the National Trust by South Tyneside Council in 1987, which backs TROW 8% QUARRY onto the coastline. The area is managed sympathetically for nature conservation by the National Trust, who leave large areas uncut for much of the summer to allow FRENCHMAN’S BAY ground-nesting birds to nurture their young and also to allow wildflowers to set seed. A1 83 C OA The glacial drift that covers the underlying ST The RO AD Leas limestone was deposited over this area following the retreat of the last Ice Age some 18,000 – 11,000 years ago. O AS TRO SECTIONAD 2 – FRENCHMAN’S Coastal Walk BAY TO SOUTER

l 7% i f Marsden Bay and Rock f s A1 83 C The coast here has spectacular cliffs, cave OA ST RO and arches, and one of England’s most AD important sea bird colonies with thousands HARTON of pairs of kittiwakes, fulmars, gulls and Souter DOWNHILL cormorants. The rocks, formed almost 250 Lighthouse million years ago, are Permian Magnesian High above the cliffs stands Limestone and are of great interest to Souter Lighthouse, which was built geologists world-wide. The limestones in 1871 and was the first lighthouse MARSDEN LA were originally formed as muds on the specifically constructed to use an electric L SANDS MARDE EL NLA. DW floor and flanks of a shallow tropical sea light. RE 0 30 that stretched from Greenland to Eastern A1 106 Poland, at a time when Britain lay deep The National Trust opens the lighthouse to Marsden Bay and Rock within a great continent only just north of the public. An exhibition, video and guided tours are on offer, and there is a souvenir L the equator. IZ AR D shop and tea-room. L AN E For further information on opening CARAVAN Marsden Lime Kilns PARK times telephone (0191) 529 3161 or Opposite the disused car park at Souter visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/souter- cliffs Point, to the north of the Souter Lighthouse, lighthouse-and-the-leas/ A18 Souter 3 C you will see the Marsden Lime Kilns. Built GOLF COURSE OA Point ST RO in the 1870’s, the limestone from Marsden AD Quarries was burnt in these kilns before Marsden Lizard being transported by train (known as the Lime Kilns Point Marsden Rattler) to South Shields. The kilns Souter ceased production in 1960. Lighthouse

Marsden Quarry

ER ROAD HEN KITC cl iffs O AS TRO AD When you reach the northern end of Marsden Sands you have two options: either follow the Coastal Footpath along the top of the cliffs to Marsden rock or to go down the slope onto the beach and back up the steps near the Grotto c

l 7% i f f s pub. If you choose to do the latter, please check A1 83 C the tide times before going to the beach and OA ST RO AD note that there are over 100 steps to be climbed. HARTON DOWNHILL From Marsden Rock follow the grass coastal path towards Souter Lighthouse past the Lime Kilns. When you reach the disused Souter Point car park access road, turn left towards the old car park and follow the path heading south by the MARSDEN side of the lighthouse. Go past Souter Lighthouse LA L SANDS MARDE EL and continue along the Coastal Footpath down NLA. DW RE 0 30 past the former Whitburn Rifle Ranges. A1 106 Marsden Bay and Rock

LIZ AR D L AN E CARAVAN PARK

cliffs A18 Souter 3 C GOLF COURSE OA Point ST RO AD

Marsden Lizard Lime Kilns Point Souter Lighthouse

Marsden Quarry

ER ROAD HEN KITC cl iffs c ER ROAD lif HEN fs SECTION 3 – SOUTER TO KITC L I Z

A WHITBURN R D

Coastal Walk E Whitburn Point Nature Reserve Continue straight down the coast following the path, where Jackie’s Beach is on the left. After leaving the rifle WHITBURN range area, continue along the Coastal COLLIERY

SCHOOL A

I 8 rocky shore Footpath at the rear of Whitburn Village M 3

(an area known as Whitburn Bents) until LL

L you reach the South Bents car park. A

N E m JACKIE’S a i BEACH If you wish to continue to Sunderland n r o Souter u Pier, you can walk on the sand all the t e Point way if the tide is low enough. If the tide is too high, take the coast pavement/ Windmill promenade all the way to the pier instead. RIFLE RANGE Getting from the finish There are a number of bus services between South Shields and Sunderland fs if via Whitburn. If you are travelling by cl suitable for Metro the nearest Metro station is wheelchair m

a Seaburn, one mile from the pier. For i CEMETERY n r o more information contact Travel Line on u t e 0871 200 2233. WHITBURN

GUARDS NORTH ET SCHOOL STRE E ONT A FR S rocky shore T

C T

H R

U E

R E

C T

L CRICKET A N GROUND E

PARK s ff rocky shore li c

FINISH

to WHITBURN Sunderland SANDS c ER ROAD lif HEN fs KITC

L I Z

N E Whitburn Point Nature Reserve

WHITBURN COLLIERY

SCHOOL A

I 8 rocky shore M 3

N E m JACKIE’S a i BEACH n

r o Souter u t e Point

Windmill

RIFLE RANGE

fs if cl suitable for wheelchair m

i CEMETERY n r o

t e WHITBURN

GUARDS NORTH ET SCHOOL STRE E ONT A FR S rocky shore T

C T

H R

U E

R E

C T

L CRICKET A N GROUND E

PARK s ff rocky shore li c

FINISH

to WHITBURN Sunderland SANDS N N U S

Old Man’s Garden and bridge

23% WINDMILL

CARAVAN RIFLE PARK M RANGE I L

W AN

WELL-HOUSE L E

FARM L N

D Z

A S

D A

N L

E AN

l i CEMETERY f f s Marsden Circular Walk WHITBURN

SECTION 1 – SOUTH BENTS TO CLEADON HILLS A

PLAYING UARDS 1 RTHG 8

FIELDS NO 3 Stretch your legs and your imagination with which is worth a visit if open. The lane SCHOOL EET SCHOOL STR EA this spectacular seven mile walk over Cleadon emerges onto Front Street. Cross the road ONT FR S Hills and along the sea cliffs. The route passes and turn left before turning right up Sandy T POND S C T

Windmill Field, Marsden Old Quarry and Chare. At the top of Sandy Chare on the left H R

U E

R E

Souter Lighthouse. is the village pond, which originally was a T C

coach wash, and behind that is the former L CRICKET CHURCH A Getting to the start schoolhouse. N GROUND E There are a number of bus services between k rocky shore South Shields and Sunderland via Whitburn. If Bear right on to North Guards and then turn al CORNTHWAITE w left up Wellands Lane. Continue up Wellands l you are travelling by Metro the nearest Metro ta PARK s Lane until you pass the housing estate, and a s station is Seaburn, one mile from the start. o ff c li For more information contact Travel Line on then take the public footpath on the left SOUTH c 0871 200 2233. leading to Well House Farm. Follow the track BENTS through the farm and turn right along the This walk starts from South Bents car park. waymarked path that leads up to Cleadon Cross the road and take the public footpath Hills. From here on a clear day, you can see START that runs parallel to the park up to Whitburn south to the Cleveland Hills and coastline Village. The path brings you out on Church near Whitby. WHITBURN Lane, with its 13th century parish church, SANDS N N U S

Old Man’s Garden and bridge

23% WINDMILL

CARAVAN RIFLE PARK M RANGE I L

W AN

WELL-HOUSE L E

FARM L N

D Z

A S

D A

N L

E AN

l i CEMETERY f f s

WHITBURN A

PLAYING UARDS 1 RTHG 8

FIELDS NO 3 SCHOOL EET SCHOOL STR EA ONT FR S

POND S C T

H R

U E

R E

C T

L CRICKET CHURCH A N GROUND E k rocky shore al

w CORNTHWAITE l ta PARK s a s o ff c li SOUTH c BENTS

START

WHITBURN SANDS Marsden Circular Walk SECTION 2 – CLEADON HILLS TO MARSDEN OLD QUARRY

A1 83 GOLF C COURSE OA ST RO Marsden AD Old Quarry Marsden Lime Kilns LANE QUARRY

9% MARSDEN GOLF COURSE QUARRY

HILLHEAD FARM Water

Tower L I Z

N PLANTATION E

CLEADON HILLS FARM

LIZARD Cleadon FARM Hills SCHOOL Cleadon 8%

E Field and N

L Windmill

E D I S I N N U S Old Man’s and bridge Garden A1 83 GOLF C COURSE OA ST RO Marsden AD Old Quarry Marsden Lime Kilns LANE QUARRY

9% MARSDEN GOLF COURSE QUARRY Continue along the path past “Old Man’s Garden” until you reach Cleadon Windmill, then follow the path next to the stone wall up to and through the kissing gate. On your left is Cleadon Water Pumping Station.

Continue following the stone wall until you reach another kissing gate, which gives you access to the golf HILLHEAD FARM course. Cross the course and go through the stone stile on the far side into Marsden Old Quarry. From here on Water a clear day, you can see north to the coast near Blyth

Tower L I Z and Cheviot Hills. A

N Cleadon Windmill and Field PLANTATION E The windmill was built during the early 19th century. It was used for target practice by an artillery unit during CLEADON HILLS FARM the 1914-18 war, was restored by Groundwork South Tyneside and Newcastle in 1992 and is now a listed LIZARD building. Cleadon FARM Hills SCHOOL The field is of national importance for its wildflowers, Cleadon 8% which are present because of the shallow magnesian E Field and N

A limestone soils. Look out for beautiful plants such as L Windmill E greater knapweed, salad burnet and autumn gentian. D I S I N N U S Old Man’s and bridge Garden Marsden Circular Walk SECTION 3 – BACK TO THE COAST

Turn right along the wall and follow the path Marsden Old Quarry that runs at the top of the old quarry towards This site has a fascinating range of habitats the coast until you reach Lizard Lane. Cross including cliffs, woodland and grasslands. the road and take the path between the The cliff tops support a host of magnesian caravan park and the golf course, which will limestone grassland wildflowers such as bring you onto the Coast Road just south of wild thyme, common rockrose and blue Marsden Rock. moorgrass. During the autumn the site is a From Marsden Rock follow the grass coastal magnet for migrating birds and birdwatchers. path towards Souter Lighthouse past the Lime Be careful not to go too close to the cliff edge Kilns. When you reach the disused Souter – it is very steep! Point car park access road, turn left towards the old car park and follow the path heading south by the side of the lighthouse. Go past Marsden Bay and Rock Souter Lighthouse and continue along the The coast here has spectacular cliffs, cave and Coastal Footpath down past the former arches, and one of England’s most important Whitburn Rifle Ranges. sea bird colonies with thousands of pairs of kittiwakes, fulmars, gulls and cormorants. The rocks, formed almost 250 million years ago, Souter Lighthouse are Permian Magnesian Limestone and are of High above the cliffs stands Souter great interest to geologists world-wide. The Lighthouse, which was built in 1871 and was limestones were originally formed as muds the first lighthouse specifically constructed to on the floor and flanks of a shallow tropical use an electric light. sea that stretched from Greenland to Eastern Poland, at a time when Britain lay deep The National Trust opens the lighthouse to the within a great continent only just north of the public. An exhibition, video and guided tours equator. are on offer, and there is a souvenir shop and tea-room. Marsden Lime Kilns For further information on opening times Opposite the disused car park at Souter telephone (0191) 529 3161 or visit www. Point, to the north of the Souter Lighthouse, nationaltrust.org.uk/souter-lighthouse-and- you will see the Marsden Lime Kilns. Built the-leas/ in the 1870’s, the limestone from Marsden Quarries was burnt in these kilns before being transported by train (known as the Marsden Rattler) to South Shields. The kilns ceased production in 1960.

Marsden Rock

L IZ AR D MARSDEN L AN SANDS E c CARAVAN oa AD st RO PARK al rocky RD wa shore WA lk ED CE cl RIN iffs P 7% A 183 COA GOLF COURSE ST RO AD 9% Marsden Old Quarry

GOLF COURSE Marsden Circular Walk SECTION 4 – SOUTER TO WHITBURN

Continue straight down the coast following the path, where Jackie’s Beach is on the left. After leaving the rifle range area, continue along the Coastal Footpath at the rear of Whitburn Village (an area known as Whitburn Bents) until you reach the South Bents car park.

If you wish to continue to Sunderland Pier, you can walk on the sand all the way if the tide is low enough. If the tide is too high, take the coast pavement/promenade all the way to the pier instead. Getting from the finish There are a number of bus services between South Shields and Sunderland via Whitburn. If you are travelling by Metro the nearest Metro station is Seaburn, one mile from the finish. For more information contact Travel Line on 0871 200 2233.

Countryside Code

Respect other people • Consider the local community and other people enjoying the outdoors • Leave gates and property as you find them and follow paths unless wider access is available

Protect the natural environment • Leave no trace of your visit and take your litter home • Keep dogs under effective control

Enjoy the outdoors • Plan ahead and be prepared • Follow advice and local signs

Contacts for further Information Countryside Officer/Public Rights of Way Officer

South Tyneside Council Town Hall and Civic Offices Westoe Road, South Shields NE33 2RL Telephone: (0191) 427 7000

Additional countryside information For further information and leaflets please see www.southtyneside.info

Visitor Information Centre South Shields.

Telephone (0191) 424 7788

Public Transport Information – Travel Line

Telephone 0871 200 2233 for all local public transport enquiries.

8627