Where the River Tyne meets the North Sea lies the aptly named appealing town of Tynemouth. In the summer this is a popular low-key seaside resort, despite the chill of that well-named sea. And in winter it is an equally popular place for a bracing walk, either on the sands or on the paths and promenades above.
On our recent January visit the waves were high, a legacy of Storm Henk that had passed over the UK the previous day. The surf had created a fine mist or sea fret, hanging over the beaches and adding a sense of mystery to the scene. The Priory on its headland; the lighthouse at the end of the stone pier that marks the river mouth; and the spire of St George’s church. All were only half-visible as we walked north from King Edwards Bay to Cullercoats, the next town along the coast.
For 2024 I plan on some shorter posts, with a stronger emphasis on letting the photos tell the story. That doesn’t mean there won’t still be plenty of longer ones too, but I want to intersperse them with ones that go back to my original idea for these galleries: brevity! So here for Leanne’s Monochrome Madness, and for Jo’s Monday Walk, are my favourite shots taken that afternoon. As always with my monochrome work, all have been edited with Nik Silver Efex Pro.
Walkers, King Edward’s Bay
Waves breaking, King Edward’s Bay
The lighthouse from King Edward’s Bay
Lighthouse in the mist
Above King Edward’s Bay, looking south towards the pier and lighthouse
Between King Edward’s Bay and the Long Sands, looking south towards the priory and lighthouse
The Long Sands, looking north towards St George’s
Lone fisherman, Cullercoats Bay
I visit Tynemouth often; these photos were all taken in January 2024
42 Comments
Sue
good set of monochrome images
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you, it was very much a monochrome day!
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equinoxio21
Could well be a Breton weather…
Sarah Wilkie
I can imagine – exposed coasts are subject to such sea frets and mists
bitaboutbritain
Beautifully atmospheric, almost other worldly, images. You must be proud of them. I don’t know it well, but have visited a couple of times. The priory and headland. Watching cormorants dive into the waters, possibly? And a vague memory of a wonderful market in a railway station – or am I thinking of somewhere else?
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you 😊 I have a lot of photos of Tynemouth (summer and winter, sun and cloud) but this was the first time I’d seen it with this mist from the spray hanging over it. You’re right about the market at the station – it’s just on Sundays and is indeed wonderful!
Rose
Your misty black and white images are ethereal and lovely!
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Rose, that’s such a wonderful way to describe them 😊
Image Earth Travel
Love the B&W photographs! Especially of the lighthouse. I’ve not visited Tynemouth but looks very pretty.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Nilla – it’s one of my favourite places 🙂
wetanddustyroads
Although the sea looks rather fierce, your photos are beautiful! The B&W images create a good ‘mood’ for Winter.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you 🙂 I don’t think I’ve ever seen the waves so high there – I think it was their spray that created most of the mist because even just a few blocks from the sea it was much clearer.
Brad M
Very nice. Something to look forward to on our October trip to the UK; Northumberland is on our list of destinations (it’s where my wife’s relatives are from).
Sarah Wilkie
Oh that’s cool, Northumberland is a stunning county! This is actually North Tyneside, technically just outside the county, but a nice destination if you’re spending any time in Newcastle (which I highly recommend btw). Do drop me a line if you have any questions about Northumberland 🙂
Brad M
Will do. Newcastle is also one of the target stopping points.
grandmisadventures
Beautiful pictures. I really love that spot of light above the lighthouse- seems quite poetic 🙂
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Meg 😊 I was so pleased to see that break in the clouds, it knew it would really add to the shots!
Suzanne
Winter beach walking is a favourite time for me, less busy and interesting photography. As I have said in the past, love the black and white photography. The beach images are brilliant, and on a warm morning after a long walk very refreshing and cool to view 😉
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Suzanne 🙂 As you know, I like winter beaches too. It’s fun that you’re enjoying my ‘cooling down’ images while I’m enjoying the ‘warm me up’ sunny ones from blogging friends down under!
Suzanne
I’m glad to be helping you keep warm. Blogging friends are lovely people 😊
bushboy
Great photos Sarah. Now you have me singing The Fog on the Tyne 😁
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks, I can see why that would come to mind – although truth be told, fog or mist over the sea here is far more common than over the river!
Anabel @ The Glasgow Gallivanter
I feel cold just looking at this! Very atmospheric though. I agree about the Lowry look of one of them. Amazingly busy for the weather, a hardy lot on the east coast.
Sarah Wilkie
It’s a popular place for a walk, whatever the weather, especially with dog owners. And Tynemouth has lots of cosy pubs / restaurants / cafes where you can warm up during or afterwards 🙂
Anabel @ The Glasgow Gallivanter
Good to know! We hope to go there soon. You and another blogger have inspired me to revisit.
Sarah Wilkie
Let me know if you need recommendations 🙂
Anabel @ The Glasgow Gallivanter
Thanks, will do!
thehungrytravellers.blog
A hugely atmospheric collection, Sarah – the beach one looks a bit like a “seaside Lowry”. Mists at the coast can be so haunting and yet so miserable too if you linger too long.
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much Phil 😊 I see what you mean about the Lowry look. This mist was thankfully light enough not to be miserable – I think most of it was caused by the spray from those breakers as even a short distance from the coast it was brighter. But it was cold!!
thehungrytravellers.blog
I know – we’re down in Cornwall at the minute and it’s about as cold as I’ve ever known it down here!
margaret21
PS I think your plan for 2024 are good. I always enjoy your writing, but it’s the photos I linger over.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you 😀 I’m now feeling a bit guilty as I’m busy drafting what will be quite a text heavy post!
margaret21
Haha! That’ll be great!
margaret21
Just the atmospheric sort of seaside post I need before departing for a Spanish seaside destination, likewise not a bustling resort. Quite a contrast!
Sarah Wilkie
I’m sure it will be! We’d had lovely weather in Newcastle for one day, New Year’s Day, when we did the Ouseburn walk. We were hanging on for another one to go to the coast but we ran out of days so settled for this rather atmospheric misty walk 🙂
Anne Sandler
Beautiful in black and white Sarah! Black and white is so expressive and moody. Your pictures always tell a story.
Sarah Wilkie
Aw, thank you Anne, I’m pleased you enjoyed the post 😊
restlessjo
It’s a lovely stretch of coast, isn’t it, and one that I didn’t visit very often. We tended to go to Seaham for a bit of wild beach- and the sea glass. It responds well to Black and White, Sarah. Thanks so much for sharing. I’ve made it as far as our patio, to puff and wheeze in the sunshine.
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Jo 🙂 We tend to stay north of the Tyne for our coastal outings – here, Seaton Sluice, Druridge or points north from there. I’ve never been to Seaham but you make it sound rather appealing, so maybe we should venture south one of these days! Glad you enjoyed these photos, and even more glad you’re at least able to get some fresh air now. Baby steps …👣👣
satyam rastogi
Nice post ✍️
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you – but you always respond so quickly to my posts that I wonder if you actually bother to read them?