Make the Most of North Tyneside this Winter

Tucked between Cullercoats and Whitley Bay hides a teeny-tiny Micro Bakery serving up some of the most delicious bread and pastries in the region. The Sustenance Society is a splendid spot celebrating real ingredients, the process of making food, and the people that are involved, in other words the sustenance of our society.

Open from 8AM, they run until they're sold out - so be quick!

Sit in for a coffee in their dreamy interiors or grab your pain au chocolat to take on the way to the beach with you, this is a flawless beginning to the start of your weekend at the coast.

Continue your winter weekend in North Tyneside with CBK Adventures.

Dive into the invigorating waters of the North Sea and then cosy up in our beach front sauna for the ultimate winter experience. The Ice Dip Social combines the refreshing cold of the sea with the soothing warmth of a traditional Finnish tent sauna, followed by a relaxed group space with a wood-burning stove where you can unwind and savour delicious, locally sourced food. This unique coastal adventure is the perfect way to recharge in the great outdoors and to relish in the tranquility of Cullercoats Bay.

After a morning of fresh sea air, make some room for a 3-course lunch at local gem, Hinnies.

Hinnies is a relaxed, warm and friendly neighbourhood restaurant serving comfort food we all like to eat - i.e. rustic and hearty Geordie-influenced classics made properly from scratch using local and seasonal produce to give a real taste of our beloved North East. Indulge in their winter menu and sample the delights of the catch of the day from North Shields Fish Market or perhaps you'll go for the pan haggerty with mustard cream and winter vegetables.

Located right on the seafront in Whitley Bay, Hinnies was voted Best Value Restaurant in the North East by The Journal's Secret Diner and North Tyneside's Best Small Business.

Ready for an afternoon of browsing? Look no further than Keel Row Books - a must-visit for any book lover and collector. Here, you will find the longest established rare and collectable bookshop in the North East of England. Established in 1981, Keel Row are specialists in first editions, signed, rare and antiquarian books, fine bindings, literature, children's books, and the history and topography of Northumberland, Durham and Newcastle, including the works of Thomas Berwick.

Expect breath-taking interiors, warm lighting, stacked shelves, wooden floors and window seats, it's the ideal setting to take a moment for yourself and maybe check out maps of the area to inspire your next visit to the North East.

Keel Row Books is conveniently positioned on a bustling high-street brimming with fantastic local businesses, independent coffee shops and wine bars, you could spend all day exploring!

In today’s busy world, taking time to care for your mental health is essential. Join CBK Adventures in Cullercoats Bay for a rejuvenating morning meditation session led by Holly Walsh of Balance and Breathe Yoga.

Holly will guide you through techniques to help quiet your mind, relax your body, and embrace a calm, centred state.

Set within a serene relaxation tent with a woodturning stove, this group meditation is perfect for anyone seeking to manage stress, refocus, and feel more grounded. A great start to a slow Sunday in Cullercoats Bay.

St Mary's Lighthouse is the perfect afternoon adventure. Be sure to wrap up warm - it's time to walk off lunch as you venture across a short causeway to discover a miniature, part-time island nestled within North Tyneside.

If the weather permits, you can climb all 137 steps to the top of the lighthouse and discover the most spectacular views of the north east coast of England, looking back onto the beautiful Whitley Bay.

Be sure to steal a glance at the surrounding nature reserve; containing rock pools, cliff top grassland, a beach and wetland habitats. If you're after closer inspection, you'll find a hut complete with binoculars - the ideal viewpoint to bird-watch or, if you're lucky, spot seals as they come ashore to rest.

On your way back, be sure to pause for a moment as there are plenty of benches perfectly positioned to take in the marvel of St Mary's - ideal for snapping your seaside shots to share with family and friends!

Every Saturday and Sunday, the platforms at Tynemouth Metro Station bustle with bargain hunters, foodies and visitors browsing over 150 stalls at the vibrant Tynemouth Market - making this a wonderful weekend activity for locals and visitors alike!

Be sure to stop off at Regular Jo's coffee cart for a pup-cup to treat your well behaved four-legged friends or treat yourself to a flat white to accompany your shopping!

Set in grand surroundings beneath the stunning Victorian glazed roof of Tynemouth Station, you're guaranteed a unique afternoon out with plenty of souvenirs to take home.

Opening in 1882 as a railway station, this metro station is a Grade II listed building steeped in local history as it later become the first section of Newcastle's metro network in 1980.

Round off your weekend with coastal highlight, Riley's Fish Shack. Built out of two shipping containers, it holds court on the picturesque King Edward's Bay.

Popularised by numerous national accolades and recently named one of chef Rick Stein's favourite hidden gems, Riley's celebrates the natural coastline of Tynemouth, serving up locally caught fresh fish with an ever-changing blackboard menu. However one thing you can always count on? Plates of Lindisfarne Oysters, served every which-way.

Choose between watching the waves on the shore or talented chefs creating magic in the open kitchen as you relax under coal fires and blankets creating a warm, friendly and informal atmosphere that celebrates that good old Geordie charm.