26 February 2023 , 15:15
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Whitley Bay is the “greatest place on the planet”, according to a local who calls it home.
Catherine Addison-Swan says she has been “lucky enough” to call the North Tyneside town home for over a year and is still discovering new gems throughout the town.
After visiting regularly as a child, she says the town has undergone huge changes in recent years.
Describing it as “home to a warm and welcoming community, a gorgeous beach and a frankly ridiculous amount of independent cafes, restaurants, shops and entertainment venues”, she has put forward 12 reasons as to why she loves the town, as reported by Chronicle Live.
Whitley Bay beach and the Spanish City in North Tyneside (Newcastle Chronicle)Whitley Bay beach
Starting off with an obvious one, but I can hardly talk about the greatness of Whitley Bay without mentioning the fact that it forms part of the stunning North East coastline. Growing up in North Tyneside, I’ll admit I took it for granted that the beach - several of them, in fact - were just a stone’s throw away, but after moving away and living in London for a few years, I’ll never make that mistake again.
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Along with the nearby Longsands and King Edward’s in Tynemouth, Whitley Bay beach has achieved Blue Flag status every year since 1994, officially establishing it as one of the finest beaches in the region if not the country. Overlooked by the iconic Spanish City, there’s nothing like a stroll along the beach with my dog - complete with a stop-off at the Rendezvous Cafe and Links Art Gallery, of course - to clear my head in the fresh sea air and remind me of just how lucky I am to live here.
St Mary’s Lighthouse
A walk along Whitley Bay beach will often lead me to St Mary’s Lighthouse, which deserves a separate spot on the list.
St Mary's Lighthouse in Whitley bay just before sunrise (PA)There’s just some magical quality about lighthouses that has inspired countless children’s books, and a wander around St Mary’s makes me feel like I'm lost in one of those childhood stories.
Jam Jar Cinema
After losing the opportunity when Covid restrictions were in place, going to the is another thing I’ll never again take for granted - and like me, I think it would only take one trip to the Jam Jar for anyone to fall back in love with the experience.
The view inside the cinema (Jam Jar Cinema)This is worlds away from going to a big chain - promising visitors "a cosy hug rather than a corporate handshake," the Jam Jar has always put people over profits and became the first cinema in England to offer a 'Pay As You Please' ticket pricing system 2019.
Laurels Theatre
Hailed as the "the most alternative night out" on Tyneside by founders Jamie Eastlake and Stephen Robertson, Laurels - named, of course, after comic icon Stan Laurel - offers a unique range of , comedy, music and visual arts so visitors are always guaranteed an entertaining evening. If you haven't checked out this Whitley Road hidden gem yet, now is the time to do it.
The Fiesta
One of the best things about Whitley Bay is the community - it’s clear to see that everyone really cares about the town, and that love is no better demonstrated than at the Fiesta.
Fiesta Whitley Bay takes place at St Paul's Church in Whitley Bay town centre (Newcastle Chronicle)Making its debut in September 2021, the Fiesta comes to town a handful of times a year - it last popped up in December - and brings it alive with music, food and family fun aplenty.
The Ice Rink
Opening its doors all the way back in 1955, Whitley Bay Ice Rink has been an iconic part of the town my whole life - what I didn't know is that it used to also be the region's main concert venue until Newcastle Arena opened in 1995, playing host to the likes of AC/DC, Iron Maiden, KISS, Metallica, Kylie Minogue and Oasis.
Catherine is a fan of her adopted home (Getty Images)Today, the venue is in fact the only public ice rink in the North East and the most established rink in the country according to its website - yet another thing that makes Whitley Bay the best place to be.
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The Playhouse
As if this list hasn't already proven that there’s no shortage of entertainment in Whitley Bay, here's another fantastic venue that's a must-visit whether you're a local or a tourist.
A beloved part of the town for over a century, the Playhouse on Marine Avenue re-opened in 2009 following a 'state of the art' £8.5m refurbishment.
Fish and chips
Do you even live at the coast if you’re not within five minutes of a fish and chip shop at all times? But while you'll find chippies virtually anywhere with a beach, Whitley Bay's are a cut above the rest - with one even being rated among the best in the country, which really helps to hammer home my case that the Bay is the place to be.
Fish and chips are another of the reasons (Newcastle Chronicle)My personal favourite is Pantrini's, which is just two minutes away from the beach and has been a beloved part of the town serving up battered beauties for over 100 years.
Charming cafes
Another thing that makes me adore Whitley Bay is its independent cafe culture - I’ve been fortunate enough to write about several new cafes opening in the area as part of my job, and within the past year it has felt like something new has popped up every week. Park View alone is home to charming gems including Rustic Cup, Kith and Kin, hot chocolate and patisserie specialists Eden's Cafe, and Cafe 129 (which makes the best Victoria Sponge cake I've ever had the good fortune of tasting).
Restaurants
It’s not just cafes where you can grab a in Whitley Bay, of course - the town is full of restaurants that you won’t find anywhere else, yet another thing that adds to its unique charm.
Pantrini's fish and chips in Whitley Bay (Newcastle Chronicle)If you’re a bit sick of chains and want to have a delicious meal out somewhere different, this is certainly the place to go.
Independent shops
We have in recent years unfortunately heard a lot about the impending 'death of the high street' as people make the move to online shopping - but there’s no threat of that on Whitley Bay’s Park View, where you’ll find independent shops abound. Something the town has in abundance is one-of-a-kind , selling unique gifts from talented local artists.
Cosy pubs and bars
Small history lesson for you to finish off - although today Monkseaton is officially considered a part of Whitley Bay, it actually predates the town with the first records of the mediaeval village dating back to the early 12th century. And it’s here that you’ll find some of the best pubs and bars in the area.