Area: Whitley Bay
Distance: Around 4 miles there and back from the Spanish City to St Mary’s Lighthouse.
Terrain: Good, mostly flat paths the whole way, with a choice of the grassy clifftop route or the beachfront promenade.
Dog notes: Dogs are welcome along the coast path, but must be kept on leads near the seal-watching and wildlife areas around the island. St Mary’s Island itself is reached by a tidal causeway — check tide times before you set off, as the crossing floods at high tide and it’s easy to get caught out.
Parking: Free car park behind Whitley Bay Playhouse (central, and the recommended starting point). A pay car park also sits right by the lighthouse itself.
Nearby stop: The Rendezvous Café near the lighthouse, plus seasonal catering vans in the lighthouse car park. Public toilets are available there too.
Source: North East Family Fun — Whitley Bay to St Mary’s Island walk write-up