The Best Beaches in the North East

By Mia North 2 weeks ago

Written with AI assistance.

From surf at Tynemouth to sea glass at Seaham, here are the North East beaches worth the trip and what each one is best for.

Marsden Bay at South Shields, with the Grotto and its lift tower beneath the limestone cliffs and a pebble beach in the foreground.

Quick answer

The North East coast is one of the best value days out you can have, and most of these beaches are free to enjoy. For surf and a lively feel, head to Tynemouth. For a long flat stretch and a promenade, choose Whitley Bay, Roker or Seaburn. For something quieter and unusual, Seaham is the one for sea glass.

Here is what each beach is best for, so you can match the day to your group.

Verified 24 July 2026: The 2026 Blue Flag and Seaside Award status below is confirmed with North Tyneside, Sunderland and South Tyneside councils. Awards are reassessed each year, so keep the year on the page and recheck before each season. Seaham currently holds no award and is included for its scenery and sea glass.

Tynemouth Longsands and King Edward's Bay

Tynemouth is the coast's all-rounder. Longsands is a wide, popular beach with surf schools and cafés behind it, while the smaller King Edward's Bay sits below the priory and feels tucked away. Both hold a Blue Flag and a Seaside Award for 2026.

Best for: surf, older children and teenagers, and pairing with the town's food scene.

Family Tip Check the tide times before you go. On the wider beaches a low tide gives you far more sand and safer paddling, and it changes how the day feels.

Whitley Bay

A long, easy beach with a promenade, ice cream and the landmark St Mary's Lighthouse at the north end. It suits families who want space, flat walking and somewhere to warm up nearby, and it holds both a Blue Flag and a Seaside Award for 2026.

Best for: young families, buggies and a classic seaside stroll.

Roker and Seaburn, Sunderland

Sunderland's two connected beaches give you a wide sweep of sand, a pier at Roker and plenty of seafront room. Roker flies a Blue Flag for 2026 and Seaburn holds a Seaside Award, and together they make a strong free day out on the south side of the region.

Best for: a big open beach day and a seafront walk.

Seaham

Seaham is the North East's quiet surprise. It is known for sea glass, smoothed fragments washed up from the area's industrial past, which turns a beach walk into a treasure hunt.

Best for: a calmer walk, beachcombing and a different kind of visit.

Frisk Find Take a small container to Seaham for any sea glass you find. It costs nothing, it keeps children hunting for ages, and it is the reason people come back to this stretch of coast.

South Shields

South Shields gives you a broad sandy beach at Sandhaven plus the rides at Ocean Beach Pleasure Park right behind it, so you can mix a free beach with a paid seaside attraction in one trip. Sandhaven holds both a Blue Flag and a Seaside Award.

Best for: combining a free beach with pay-per-ride fun.

How to choose

Surf and buzz: Tynemouth Longsands.
Flat and easy with a promenade: Whitley Bay, Roker or Seaburn.
Quiet and unusual: Seaham.
Beach plus rides: South Shields.

Money Saver Most of these beaches are free, so your only real cost is parking and food. Arrive earlier for the best free or cheap parking and take a picnic to keep the day almost free.