Newcastle to North Shields 'Scenic Route'

[burns20]

Is there a 'Scenic' way to get from Newcastle to North Shields by bus or metro?

 

[AlterEgo]

Yes. If you're going from Central station you can go the long way via the Coast. There's a few good views and nice stations, like Tynemouth, on that route.

I'm not clued up about Metro ticketing though.

 

[burns20]

I can use my staff pass on any bus and metro operator in North East Explorer land so fares are not an issue.

 

[gordonthemoron]

not that it's particularly scenic, but you can go via South Shields & the Ferry

 

[valenta]

Personally I would advise getting on a train to the coast. It's quite beautiful between Cullercoats and Tynemouth.

 

[AlterEgo]

Personally I would advise getting on a train to the coast. It's quite beautiful between Cullercoats and Tynemouth.

Tynemouth station is also a real gem. If you have time, I'd advise getting off here and appreciating the station and the town outside. There's also a great chippy on the seafront if I remember rightly!

 

[valenta]

Tynemouth station is also a real gem. If you have time, I'd advise getting off here and appreciating the station and the town outside. There's also a great chippy on the seafront if I remember rightly!

You probably mean Marshall's on Front Street.

 

[Greenback]

I would also go the long way round. I foudn it more interesting than the southern line.

 

[burns20]

Thanks for your suggestions.

I have had to give up the idea of doing the North Tyneside Railway due to two tight connections at Percy Main and North Shields to enable me to get the 1200 Ferry to South Shields then the 1226 27 Bus to Heworth for the 1318 X9 to Middlesbrough.

So will take the metro the long way round to North Shields as I am staying in Gateshead on the Saturday 8th October.

 

[gordonthemoron]

Is Monkseaton station of any interest? I haven't been there since 1979 when IIRC it was quite interesting

 

[142094]

If you are going from Central, go the long way around via South Gosforth. Going via Wallsend isn't too scenic.

At South Gosforth you'll see the original footbridge, and Longbenton was one of the original stations on the network built in Art Deco style, along with West Monkseaton. Monkseaton, Whitley Bay, Cullercoats and Tynemouth are also all original stations, and are impressive. You should also be there for the Tynemouth station market which is held every weekend - all sorts of stalls selling second hand stuff, normally find some interesting things. If you want to look at that, try to get there early on (say around 11-12). Normally starts to pack up at around 2pm.

Marshalls Fish and Chips gets a thumbs up from me. You could also then walk to the Collingwood Memorial near the Priory and walk along the riverside path to North Shields Fish Quay, perhaps stopping at the Porthole or Dolly Peel for a pint. Shields Ferry is just around the corner from there.

Best to check nearer the date in case there are engineering works going on. Also, out of interest, what type of staff pass do you have?

 

[burns20]

A Stagecoach Staff Pass - have sent you a PM

 

[DarloRich]

Yes. If you're going from Central station you can go the long way via the Coast. There's a few good views and nice stations, like Tynemouth, on that route.

I'm not clued up about Metro ticketing though.

thats the best way - althought the ferry is fun

 

[valenta]

thats the best way - althought the ferry is fun

However to get the ferry it would take about half an hour on a metro from Central to South Shields.

 

[DaveNewcastle]

the Tynemouth station market which is held every weekend - all sorts of stalls selling second hand stuff, normally find some interesting things. If you want to look at that, try to get there early on (say around 11-12). Normally starts to pack up at around 2pm.

I agree. Its actually advertised in the Press as a "Weekly Flea Market"!

Tynemouth station canopy has one of the most beautifull filligree ironwork anywhere, and a huge wall map of the NE regional railways in glazed tiles (similar to one preserved in the NRM). Even on a tight schedule, a pause there just to admire the building between consecutive trains will make you grateful that you did.
Fleas or no fleas.

 

[142094]

I agree. Its actually advertised in the Press as a "Weekly Flea Market"!

Tynemouth station canopy has one of the most beautifull filligree ironwork anywhere, and a huge wall map of the NE regional railways in glazed tiles (similar to one preserved in the NRM). Even on a tight schedule, a pause there just to admire the building between consecutive trains will make you grateful that you did.
Fleas or no fleas.

Good to see that they are doing the rest of the canopy after all this time in a state of disrepair. I also wonder if Nexus would consider reinstating one of the bay platforms at the southern end of the station? Probably not.

 

[flymo]

Is there a 'Scenic' way to get from Newcastle to North Shields by bus or metro?

If you have an hour or so to spend on a bus, I have taken the Arriva 56 from Newcastle - North Shields via South Gosforth, Killingworth, Shiremoor. Not the best way to get there I guess...

When I worked on the buses in Newcastle (PTE then Busways) I would also take the 'scenic' route to get places. So, for me in this position I would do one of the following:

From Newcastlle :

X1 > Easington Lane
35 Easington Lane > Sunderland
9 Sunderland > North Shields via Tyne Tunnel.

You could stay on the 35 to South Shields and take the ferry then the bus up the hill.

Or

518 - Newcastle > Amble (VERY tight connection at Amble, 2 minutes !!!)
1 - Amble > Blyth
53 - Blyth > Whitley Bay
Metro - Whitley Bay - North Shields or 85 or 86 bus from Whitley to North Shields

This would be my personal favourite as it would take around 4½ - 5 hours.
All in all very "scenic"

OK I admit, I'm a 'sad man walking here.....'