England Coast Path - South Shields to Souter Lightouse

(S) The starting point for this walk is Minchella's Ice Cream Parlour. From Minchella's walk south along Sea Road until you reach the bend. In front of you is a restaurant called Coleman's Seafood Restaurant, turn left here onto the promenade which runs behind this building. Walk along the promenade past the surf school and Trow Point car park until you reach the end of the promenade. You will see a sign for the England Coast Path here (the only one on the route).

(1) Turn left towards the Trow Point Gun Placement (up several steps). When you have finished either take the gravel path along the beach or take the grass path straight up onto the cliffs. These two paths meet after a short distance.

(2) Continue along this path which skirts Frenchman's Bay.There is an information board here.
Continue following this path keeping the water on your left hand side until you reach the road junction/roundabout. There are a few steps down and back up across the access path to the beach.

(3) Either continue to follow the cliff top path which narrows considerably, or join the public footpath beside the road. Continue until you reach Marsden Grotto.

(4) Walk through the car park at Marsden Grotto, the path then joins the main road for a short time. Continue to follow either the cliff top footpath or the public footpath beside the road until you reach the lighthouse : Souter Lighthouse. (E)

Park in one of the Sea Front Car Parks, if it is busy, park in the overflow car park named The Bents on the map.

• There are takeaways, restaurants and public toilets on the promenade in South Shields.
• There is a large shelter behind Minchella's, a good place to eat a packed lunch on a wet day.
• Refreshements are available at both Marsden Grotto and Souter Lighthouse (when open).
• When you have finished your walk, you can either continue with the next stage to Roker, retrace your steps or catch the E1 bus to Bents Park where you started your walk. This bus runs every 30 minutes.
• There are several car parks on the sea front at South Shields and several along the route including Marsden Grotto and Souter Lighthouse (charges apply)

• If you are staying in South Shields, check out Arbeia Roman Fort, amusements on the sea front, walk along the pier, enjoy some time on the beach or visit North and South Marine Park. Ocean Road is famous for its curry so why not check out one of the many restaurants.
• The views along the coast are stunning so do stop and check these out regularly.
• Stop at Marsden Grotto, tea and coffee are served all day, and meals from 12:00. Marsden rock itself is also worth checking out if the tide is out.
• Finally, Souter Lighthouse, managed by the National Trust, is well worth a visit.