The Coal Coast 2: Tynemouth Cullercoats and Whitley Bay

Thursday 6^th August, 2:00am to 5:00pm. This walk is run as an extension to The Northumberland Coast National Landscape geodiversity walks. 

Walk summary: The medieval remains of Tynemouth Priory still preside over the headland marking the exit of the River Tyne into the North Sea. Evidence of an Iron Age settlement speak of a history of human habitation going back over 2000 years. It also looks south to the Permian limestone coast of County Durham (a geo-walks for another time) and north to the Carboniferous coalfields to be explored in this walk. 

From King Edward's Bay through to Whitley Bay we can explore a remarkable sequence of sedimentary rocks. These coal rich sequences which underpin the wealth of Newcastle, give an insight into a hot steamy past some 315 million years ago in the Carboniferous Period. This was a period of time of great change as the land surface became populated by a range of plants which allowed for coal formation and the emergence and diversification of four legged animals (tetrapods) including amphibians and reptiles, the precursors of dinosuars. 

At Tynemouth and Cullercoats we can also explore the lost 50 million years when sedimentaion finished (or was eroded) towards the end of the  Carboniferous Period and when it started again early in the Permian Period. This gives a fascinatiing insight into the massive tectonic changes which occured during this period of time. These changes were the beginnings of continental movement leading to the landmass configuration with we are familiar in the cotemporary world.

Do I need to book? This event has to be booked in advance. The walks are “pay-what-you-feel” - I respectfully suggest £15 for this half day event. If this is not affordable for you – pay less – no questions asked. Equally, if you are able to pay more, this will help me to ensure the walks are sustainable. As before, family members under 16 are very welcome and no donation is needed. The walk will be limted to 20 people. To book a place on this walk please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your name and telephone number and I will send details of where to make your donation. Once you have made the payment I will confrm your place. There will be no refunds for this walk.

Where do we meet? At the gates at the beginning of Tynemouth Pier. Grid reference NZ373692. What3Words: ///packet.forced.email

How long is the walk? This walk will be approximately 6 km and will involve some scrambling across rocks on the foreshore. Strong boots are recommended and some may find walking poles helpful.

What else do I need to know? Full details will be sent out on email to everyone who books.