Sports & Leisure

Spanish City

The North East's most iconic seafront building, the Grade II listed Spanish City dome originally opened in 1910 as a concert hall and tearoom. Beautifully restored and reopened in 2018, it now houses restaurants, a tearoom, and event spaces beneath its landmark dome.

Spanish City Plaza, Whitley Bay NE26 1BG 0191 691 7090 Visit website @MySpanishCity @myspanishcity Facebook

Latest on Instagram@myspanishcity

Follow @myspanishcity on Instagram →

Featured in These Guides

Blog posts and guides that feature Spanish City.

Feast by the Sea Returns to Spanish City Plaza on 25-26 July

The Feast by the Sea street-food festival is back at Spanish City Plaza on 25-26 July 2026, with regional vendors, bars, kids' rides and entertainment beneath the dome.

Whitley Bay Carnival Returns with a 'Folk' Theme on 11 July

The free seafront carnival is back on Saturday 11 July 2026 with a Folk theme, a parade of giant puppets from the Metro station to the seafront, and a full day of entertainment.

Local Museums and Archives Near Whitley Bay

St Mary's Lighthouse, the Stephenson Railway Museum, Segedunum Roman Fort, and Newcastle's free galleries -- a guide to the museums and heritage sites within easy reach of Whitley Bay.

Historic Trades and Crafts of Whitley Bay and Cullercoats

Coal mining, salt panning, the Cullercoats fishwives, and the Victorian entertainment industry -- the trades that shaped Whitley Bay before the seaside resort arrived.

Whitley Bay at War: The Coast Defences

Coastal guns, anti-invasion beach obstacles, searchlight batteries, the wartime role of St Mary's Lighthouse, evacuees, and rationing on the coast -- Whitley Bay in the Second World War.

Victorian Whitley Bay: Architecture of a Seaside Resort

How the railway created a resort from nothing -- the Spanish City dome, the Rex Hotel, Edwardian promenades, cinemas, and the seafront terraces that gave Whitley Bay its character.

Heritage Walking Trail: Whitley Bay

A 3-mile walking trail through the story of Whitley Bay -- from the Spanish City dome and Edwardian seafront to the Panama Dip, Watts Slope, St Mary's Lighthouse, and the places where a fishing village became Tyneside's playground.

Whitley Bay: The Rise and Fall of the Seaside Resort

From a fishing village of 300 people to Tyneside's playground, through golden-age ballrooms and revolving beach chalets to boarded-up hotels -- and back again. The story of Whitley Bay.

View on Google Maps

More Sports & Leisure in Whitley Bay

Whitley Bay Playhouse

A state-of-the-art theatre and entertainment venue hosting music, drama, comedy, dance, and family shows throughout the year. The Playhouse is a cultural centrepiece for the town with a busy programme of touring productions and local events.

Waves Leisure Centre

A popular leisure centre near the seafront with a swimming pool featuring wave machine and flumes, gym, spa facilities, and soft play area. A go-to destination for families and fitness enthusiasts alike.

St Mary's Lighthouse

A much-loved landmark on a small tidal island just north of Whitley Bay, connected to the mainland by a causeway. Climb the 137 steps for spectacular coastal views, explore the visitor centre and nature reserve, or enjoy world-class birdwatching from the hide.

← Back to Directory