Summer is coming…Beautiful Beaches near Newcastle

The Great British Summer has begun and after a grueling winter, it is time to get out and enjoy all that the UK has to offer! As one of our top summer locations, Newcastle is a fantastic destination for city explorers. Walk along the River Tyne, enjoy a picnic in a picturesque park, and discover a plethora of restaurants and bars with outdoor spaces (our NewcastleGateshead Quays hotel offers a fantastic sun terrace).

We do also appreciate that enjoying a new city doesn’t always reach the ‘summer holiday’ criteria of sun, sea and sand, and while the south coast is a hot spot for beach holidays, Tyne and Wear offers some truly beautiful beaches that should not be overlooked!

And because nothing beats a fantastic day at the beach, we have selected five of the best beaches near Newcastle ideal for a family day out or soaking up some of the sun’s rays.

Tynemouth Longsands Beach

Just a 20 minute drive from either of our Newcastle hotels, Tynemouth Longsands beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in the North. The golden and clean sandy beach offers a fantastic day out with a long stretch of coast to walk down and utterly stunning views. There are a range of cafes and amusements surrounding the area, and two stations within a ten minute walking distance. This very large beach also offers dunes and cliffs to explore, and for those brave enough, there are rock pools to discover.

Whitley Bay

A blue flag award-winning beach, Whitley Bay Beach offers beautiful golden sand over a long stretch coastline. At one end you can find St Mary’s Lighthouse, and with the promenade offering a nice beach front walk, this is the ideal destination for those keen to explore. There are plenty of cafes and location appropriate fish and chip shops to enjoy on the seafront. Rocky outcrops are also a feature to discover and there is surfing for the adventurous.

Whitley Bay is just a 23 minute drive from Leonardo Hotel Newcastle.

King Edwards Bay

A beautifully secluded little bay with around 300m of sandy beach, King Edwards Bay is the perfect spot to disappear for the day. Backed with grassy banks and cliffs, this is a fantastic sheltered beach with easy access to cafes and shops, ideal for a day out with the family. The Tynemouth Priory and Castle overlooks King Edwards bay for anyone wanting to explore a little of the area’s heritage.

King Edwards Bay is a short 21 minute drive from our Newcastle hotels.

Cullercoats Bay

Cullercoats Bay is a fantastic sandy bay nestled between the large beaches of Longsands and Whitley bay, making it the perfect quaint little beach to enjoy the day. It is enclosed by small piers and backed cliffs, making it a prime spot for families to explore with many geological features. The south of the beach is a hub for recreational crafts, and on the north bank you can find the Cullercoats Watch House that offers an interesting history for visitors to discover.

There are plenty of places to stop for some food, or enjoy a tasty ice cream from Beaches and Cream which oozes seaside charm. Cullercoats Bay is just a 22 minute drive from our Leonardo Hotel Newcastle.

Littlehaven Beach

This beautiful little beach sits on the end of the river Tyne and has plenty to offer! Bursting with history from its time as an RAF base during WWI, on clear days you can spot traces of the old landing strip near the Groyne. The key attraction of this beach is the new little haven promenade which affords stunning sea views as you take leisurely stroll down the walkway. The promenade also features a range of artwork to peruse as you enjoy the breath-taking backdrop of the North Sea. There are plenty of cafes, restaurants and pubs for refreshments, and for those adventurous visitors there are many watersports available, including kayaking, canoeing and boating.

Littlehaven beach has plenty to offer those wanting to explore a stunning coastal view and beautiful beach, all a short 23 minute drive from our NewcastleGateshead Quays hotel.

Leonardo Hotels Newcastle offer two perfectly situated sites, one along the River Tyne (NewcastleGateshead Quays Hotel) and one in Newcastle city centre, just five minutes from the transport links. Our two prime locations allow guests to explore a plethora of attractions, whether a beach day along the coast, or an exploration of all that Newcastle city centre has to offer.