Pictures of Marsden Bay
About Marsden Bay
Sadly, the great triumphal arch, that had for so long dominated this beautiful bay, crumbled and collapsed in 1996. The arch was an imposing chunk of limestone that towered 139ft high, over the years it had been a favourite subject for photographs and postcards.
This little spot was favoured by the Edwardians, who flocked here when it became fashionable to picnic beside the sea. Marsden Bay is a deeply curved bay of soft golden sands, it is surrounded almost entirely by crumbling limestone cliffs which provide a haven for colonies of sea-birds. There are spectacular views all along this isolated stretch of coast and it is quite magnificent when, in tumbling rain, a swollen ocean leashes it's might against the massive limestone cliffs.
A flight of steps leads from the car park to the beach, and interestingly, a lift takes visitors to The Grotto, a pub built into caves at th foot of the cliffs. It is believed that the Grotto was built by a miner, who lived there with his family in 1782. There is sailing from the bay and close-by is Souter Lighthouse, built in 1871 and closed in 1988 when it was purchased by the National Trust, is open to the public.
Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.
Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner
Recommended attractions near Marsden Bay
| Tyne South Pier Lighthouse | (2.4 miles, 3.9 km, direction NW) | Pictures |
| Tyne North Pier Lighthouse | (2.7 miles, 4.4 km, direction NW) | Pictures |
| Tynemouth Lighthouse | (2.8 miles, 4.5 km, direction NW) | Pictures |
| Arbeia Roman Fort | (2.9 miles, 4.6 km, direction NW) | Pictures |
| Tynemouth Castle | (3.1 miles, 5.1 km, direction NW) | Pictures |
| Tynemouth Priory | (3.4 miles, 5.5 km, direction NW) | Pictures |
| Sunderland North Pier Lighthouse | (4.1 miles, 6.6 km, direction S) | Pictures |
| Sunderland South Pier Lighthouse | (4.3 miles, 6.9 km, direction S) | Pictures |
| Hylton Castle | (4.5 miles, 7.3 km, direction SW) | Pictures |
| Mowbray Park | (5.1 miles, 8.2 km, direction S) | Pictures |
| Spanish City, Whitley Bay | (5.8 miles, 9.4 km, direction NW) | Pictures |
| Washington Wetlands Centre | (6.6 miles, 10.7 km, direction SW) | Pictures |
| Washington Old Hall | (7.8 miles, 12.5 km, direction SW) | Pictures |
| Herrington Country Park | (8.3 miles, 13.3 km, direction SW) | Pictures |
| Seaton Delaval Hall | (8.6 miles, 13.9 km, direction NW) | Pictures |
All attractions in Marsden BayAll attractions in Tyne & WearComplete A to Z of attractions in EnglandRecommended towns near Marsden Bay
Jarrow, in the county of Tyne & Wear (4.2 miles, 6.8 km, direction W)
This is the town that is famous for the 1930's "Hunger March" caused by the intense poverty that followed the closing of the Charles Palmer shipyard. The last of the surviving marchers, Cornelius Whalen died in 2003 at the age of 93.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Cullercoats, in the county of Tyne & Wear (4.5 miles, 7.2 km, direction NW)
Cullercoats has many pleasing aspects including a picturesque 19th century church in a commanding position close to the shoreline.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Sunderland, in the county of Tyne & Wear (4.9 miles, 7.9 km, direction S)
Sunderland was granted a charter in 1145, the charter gave it market rights and thus the town grew slowly from humble beginnings.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Washington, in the county of Tyne & Wear (7.9 miles, 12.7 km, direction SW)
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Penshaw, in the county of Tyne & Wear (8.2 miles, 13.3 km, direction SW)
Penshaw lies in open countryside between the urban sprawl of Sunderland and Washington.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Seaton Sluice, in the county of Northumberland (8.3 miles, 13.4 km, direction NW)
For centuries salt had been panned in the region, at this time the village was known as Hartley Pans, but this appears to have changed following the building of a harbour with a sluice at the harbour mouth.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Gateshead, in the county of Tyne & Wear (9.0 miles, 14.6 km, direction W)
The urban sprawl of Gateshead rises majestically skywards in a seemingly endless mixture of concrete and glass. Gateshead stretches for almost 13 miles along the banks of the River Tyne.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Newcastle upon Tyne, a Historic City in the county of Tyne & Wear (9.6 miles, 15.4 km, direction W)
This important City was known as Pons Aelii in Roman times; the Romans built the first bridge over the River Tyne, it was guarded...
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Blyth, in the county of Northumberland (11.6 miles, 18.7 km, direction NW)
An attractive old place, with a long seafaring history, the port of Blyth is believed to date back to the 12th-century.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Beamish, in the county of County Durham (12.9 miles, 20.7 km, direction SW)
Beamish is famous for its lovely open-air museum which so vividly brings to life how the folk of the region lived at the turn of the 20th century.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Newbiggin-by-the-Sea, in the county of Northumberland (15.3 miles, 24.7 km, direction N)
The bay is a major attraction, often lively with fishing cobbles and pleasure craft, it is also a haven for sun-bathers.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Durham, in the county of County Durham (16.3 miles, 26.2 km, direction SW)
Welcome to the City of Durham in the North East of England. Durham as a town reflects the long history of its magnificent castle...
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Morpeth, in the county of Northumberland (18.1 miles, 29.1 km, direction NW)
Hidden in the spacious Northumberland countryside where centuries ago the towns and villages of this vast region were the scene of border raids and skirmishes, lies the busy market town of Morpeth.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Kelloe, in the county of County Durham (18.2 miles, 29.3 km, direction S)
Kelloe has pleasant riverside areas and is in close proximity to historic Hartlepool Quay and the seaside resort town of Peterlee on England's northern coast.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Hartlepool, in the county of County Durham (20.9 miles, 33.6 km, direction S)
This is an ancient seaport and county borough which merged with its Victorian neighbour, West Hartlepool in 1967.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
All towns in Tyne & WearComplete A to Z of towns in EnglandNearby travel help
| Tyne Dock Station | (2.6 miles, 4.2 km, direction W) |
| South Shields Station | (2.7 miles, 4.4 km, direction NW) |
| A1(M) Junction 65 | (8.7 miles, 14.0 km, direction SW) |
| New Bridge Street | (9.1 miles, 14.6 km, direction W) |
| Newcastle International Airport | (13.2 miles, 21.2 km, direction W) |
| Teesside International Airport | (32.4 miles, 52.2 km, direction S) |
| Marsden Bay to London | (245.4 miles, 394.9 km, direction S) |
Hotels & Accommodation in Marsden Bay
| Hotel Name | Approximate distance from Marsden Bay center |
| Best Western Sea Hotel | (2.3 miles, 3.7 km, direction NW) |
| Once upon a Tyne | (2.3 miles, 3.7 km, direction NW) |
| Athol House | (2.3 miles, 3.8 km, direction NW) |
| The Balmoral & Terrace Guest Houses | (3.7 miles, 5.9 km, direction S) |
| Chaise Guest House | (3.8 miles, 6.1 km, direction S) |
| Quality Hotel Sunderland | (4.4 miles, 7.1 km, direction SW) |
| Priors Haven Apartments | (4.7 miles, 7.5 km, direction NW) |
| Esplanade Lodge Guest House | (5.2 miles, 8.3 km, direction NW) |
| The Windsor Hotel | (5.2 miles, 8.4 km, direction NW) |
| Banana Joe's Hotel | (5.2 miles, 8.4 km, direction NW) |
| All hotels in Marsden Bay |
