St. Mary’s Lighthouse Whitley Bay : Climbing the 137 Steps

St Mary’s Lighthouse stands 151 feet tall and is located on St. Mary’s Island (or Bait island) at the north end of Whitley Bay in Tyne & Wear
Constructed in 1898, but sadly decommissioned in 1984
137 steps to the top
As well as the lighthouse, there is a small museum, gift shop and café on the island.
The causeway is covered at high tide, so don’t get stuck. Tide tables are available online and there is a notice board at the car park giving safe times to cross. Best just to go at low tide.
There is an admission charge to climb the actual lighthouse, but you can visit the gift shop and café for free. I actually went on 17th September 2022, during the 'Heritage Open Days' event meaning it was free for me.
How to get to St. Mary’s Island
By Car : There is a pay & display car park located on the mainland at the north end of Whitley Bay
By Metro :
The nearest station is Monkseaton, but it is a further 2.5 miles to the island.
See my video showing a journey on the Metro from Newcastle airport to Monkseaton & Whitley Bay
• Tyne & Wear Metro Cab ...
Alternatively, get off the Metro to Whitley Bay, walk to the centre of town and then take the bus (308 or 309) to Blyth, getting off near Whitley Bay Cemetery. It’s a short walk to the island.
See my video showing a journey on the 308 from Whitley Bay to Blyth
• Arriva Bus 308 : Whitl...
By Bus :
The 308 and 309 buses travel from Newcastle upon Tyne to Blyth. Get off at Whitley Bay Cemetery on the seafront. You will see the lighthouse nearby .. unless it is very foggy.

[@hirundine44]

Kudos... very evocative. Had a photo taken in lens room. When it was built, sail was still king, i guess? I can see it was useful , for ships headed to Tyne, etc. It was always a special treat day to head out there down the path. Grandad with his pipe. Didn't always get in, not open. My fave part was always the rock pools... yup some ghosts there for sure. Thanks.. cheers James

[@brianmorrison9168]

Thank you James for your comment. Yes the rock pools are still fun for kids (both old and young) turning over rocks to try and spot some crabs. I remember going to the lighhouse as a kid with my parents to collect sea coal to put on the fire .. I always got the heavy bag I think. Thank goodness for North Sea gas !!

[@hirundine44]

@@brianmorrison9168 Beneficial... CO2 and Nitrogen are the building blocks of life on our planet and many others. To discredit their use, is a communist plot to weaken society?

[@MaisieLovesMakeup]

I remember visiting St Mary’s Lighthouse. I’m really scared of heights but my kids wanted to go. I managed to get almost all the way up but those last stairs/ladders finished me off. I didn’t get right to the top. Everyone else did and got a certificate. Good for them! I lost my legs and couldn’t go any further 😆

[@brianmorrison9168]

Thank you for your comment. Yes, that last section to the very top is very steep .. and if you aren't careful it's easy to bang your head too. Regards from Whitley Bay

[@heather9329]

😂 I got half way up and then had to turn and come down I'm absolutely obsessed with the island though

[@Trond_travels]

I plan to visit the Lighthouse next time I visit Whitley Bay. Looks beautiful from a distance.

[@brianmorrison9168]

From a distance, the lighthouse does look beautiful, but inside it's in a shocking state. Sad really, as it always pops up if you search tourist attractions in the area. You would think the local Council would look after it. Over 4 years ago there was an article in the local press about great new ideas for the lighthouse, with a load of extrta features. A grant was applied for and declined. If they were content with just keeping what's already there rather than trying to add expensive extra features, the grant may have been accepted. 4 years on and nothing has been done. The normal entrance fee of £3.90 is a bit steep really ... what this money is used for .. nobody knows

[@Trond_travels]

@@brianmorrison9168 Good point. The lighthouse is an important landmark in Whitley Bay. Nice to see The Spanish City was renovated though. Hope the same thing will happen with the lighthouse.

[@brianmorrison9168]

@@Trond_travels Agree .. up to a point. The Spanish City was in a very bad state and was closed to the public for almost 30 years. Even in 2012 when the Olympic Torch passed by, the wooden hoadings got a coat of white paint and that was all. It is open again now but as far as I know, all there is inside, is a collection of cafés and restaurants, most, if not all with high prices

[@heather9329]

Lovely to see what it looks like at the top Too scared of heights to go all the way to the top

[@brianmorrison9168]

Many thanks for your comment. Yes, it's quite high, so if you are scared of heights .. probably not for you. It's just sad that it is in such a sorry state, especially on the inside. Whenever you see any promotional items regarding North Tyneside, the lighthouse is probably mentioned, so it's a pity the Council can't find the money to maintain it. Have a great day !

[@chrisk3488]

Interesting: I always imagined there would be floors within the height of the lighthouse...

[@brianmorrison9168]

Yes, that would probably be a good idea .. maybe some lighhouses are built that way, where a lighthouse keeper would have had to stay all the time, such as Eddystone Lighhouse.