The Old Low Light

The Old Low Light sits right on Whitley Bay's seafront, a sturdy Victorian lighthouse that's been guiding ships since 1898. It's still working, still flashing, which somehow makes it feel less like a museum piece and more like an actual working part of the coastline. The structure itself is modest - red and white striped, proper compact - but standing next to it while the North Sea crashes about gives you a real sense of what the keepers were up against.

You can walk right around it and get photos from every angle, which most people do. There's something about lighthouses that makes everyone want their picture taken in front of them. It won't take you long - half an hour maximum if you're leisurely about it - but it's a genuinely interesting spot if you're staying at Parkdean Resorts Whitley Bay or Old Hartley just up the coast.

This works best as part of a proper coastal walk rather than a standalone trip. Whitley Bay itself has a long promenade, fish and chip shops, and enough beach to keep families occupied for a few hours. The lighthouse marks a natural turning point in the walk, which is why it's worth the detour. Don't expect interactive exhibits or a gift shop - it's just a real, working lighthouse that you can see doing its job. That's precisely what makes it worth visiting.