Visit Whitley Bay
Everything you need for a day at the coast — how to get here and where to park, Spanish City and St Mary's Lighthouse, the beach, where to eat and stay, and what's on. The town's online tourist information.
Getting Here & Parking
Whitley Bay is one of the North East’s most popular seaside days out, and the seafront car parks fill fast on a sunny weekend. Arrive early, or leave the car behind and take the Metro.
By Metro (recommended)
The Tyne and Wear Metro (Yellow line) runs to Whitley Bay from Newcastle in around 30 minutes. The restored station is in the town centre, a short walk from the seafront and Spanish City.
By car & parking
The Links is the largest car park (~244 spaces) on the seafront by Spanish City; the Playhouse car park on Marine Avenue (~100 bays) is a quieter backup for the town centre. Both charge 9am–8pm and fill by mid-morning on warm weekends.
Full parking guide →Upcoming Events
View all →Summer Funfair — North Tyneside
12:00 PM - 9:00 PM · North Tyneside
1910 Lobster Supper at Spanish City
5:00 PM - 9:00 PM · Spanish City
From £20St Mary's Lighthouse 128th Birthday Picnic Party
11:30 AM · St Mary's Lighthouse & Visitor Centre
FREENorth Sea Weekender
All day · Tynemouth / Whitley Bay coastline
Free (some activities ticketed)Featured Guides
More Guides
All guides →
Photography Spots in Whitley Bay
From St Mary's Lighthouse at sunrise to the Spanish City dome at dusk, here are the best spots for photography in and around Whitley Bay.
A Rainy Day in Whitley Bay
Ice rink, Waves slides, the Playhouse, and Spanish City — rainy day activities in Whitley Bay.
Best Hotels & B&Bs in Whitley Bay
From the seafront Premier Inn to Victorian guest houses — where to stay in Whitley Bay.
Weekend in Whitley Bay — 48-Hour Itinerary
Coffee on Park View, Spanish City for lunch, St Mary's Lighthouse, Dog & Rabbit for craft beers. Your 48-hour plan for Whitley Bay.
Free Things to Do in Whitley Bay
Blue Flag beach, St Mary's Lighthouse at low tide, the seafront promenade, Panama Skatepark, and the annual carnival — the best free days out in Whitley Bay.
Dog-Friendly Whitley Bay
Seasonal beach rules, year-round coastal walks, and dog-friendly pubs and cafes — everything you need for a day out in Whitley Bay with your dog.
Where to Eat & Drink
A few local favourites — from Di Meo's ice cream on the seafront to fish and chips at Trenchers. See the full list on the eat & drink guide.
Di Meo's
Food & DrinkA much-loved family-run ice cream parlour on the seafront, Di Meo's is a Whitley Bay institution. Their flagship seaside parlour serves a delightful mix of traditional and innovative ice cream flavours, plus pizzas and other Italian treats.
Trenchers
Food & DrinkAward-winning fish and chips served inside the iconic Spanish City dome. Trenchers offers traditional seaside dining with generous portions, fresh locally sourced fish, and panoramic views across the bay.
1910 Steak & Seafood
Food & DrinkFine dining in the Spanish City dome, 1910 offers steak and seafood tasting menus in a stunning setting beneath the restored cupola. A special occasion destination with panoramic sea views and impeccable service.
Valerie's Tearoom
Food & DrinkBeachside tearoom at Spanish City serving hot and cold drinks, cakes, breakfast, brunch, and lunch. A nostalgic nod to 1910 with seafront views and a relaxed atmosphere.
Crab & Waltzer
Food & DrinkOne of the coast's most distinctive dining experiences, Crab & Waltzer features repurposed fairground waltzer cars as seating booths. The seafood-focused menu uses fish sourced from North Shields, and the seafront views across the bay are superb.
The Dog & Rabbit
Food & DrinkA family-run micropub and microbrewery converted from a former clothing shop, with a corner bar featuring six handpumps. No jukeboxes or TVs — just excellent real ales brewed on-site, craft beers, and proper conversation.
Rustic Cup
Food & DrinkSpeciality coffee shop by day and relaxed bar by evening, Rustic Cup serves healthy, hearty food seven days a week from the centre of Park View. Their coffee is roasted by local roastery Baristocracy.
Where to Stay
Hotels and guest houses in and around Whitley Bay for an overnight or weekend by the sea.
Premier Inn Whitley Bay
AccommodationSeafront Premier Inn hotel at Spanish City Plaza in Whitley Bay.
Whitley Parade Hotel
AccommodationHotel on South Parade in Whitley Bay (formerly Hotel 52; Sure Hotel Collection by Best Western).
Sandsides Guest House
AccommodationBed and breakfast guest house on Park Avenue in Whitley Bay.
The Lindsay Guest House
AccommodationBed and breakfast guest house on Victoria Avenue in Whitley Bay.
The Cara Guest House
AccommodationSeafront bed and breakfast guest house on The Links in Whitley Bay.