Seafront Saunter - Sandhaven and beyond

Length of walk

Distance: 1.75 miles (shorter version 1 mile) 

Time: 1 to 1.5 hours

Type of walk

The walk is on tarmac and paved paths with a couple of gentle slopes. On the longer walk there is a short stretch of uneven path on the pier.

Activity

As you make your way along the walk, see if you can find the answers to the questions for each step. 

Where to start

Start from Pier Head car park (pay and display) on South Shields' seafront. The E1 bus stop at Pier Head is a few minutes' walk and there are public toilets along the route.

Step 1

  • If starting in the car park, cross at the lights and head towards Haven Point Leisure Complex.
  • Go straight ahead, keeping Haven Point on your right. If you look carefully to the gardens on the left you will spot the Tommy Silhouette, an outline of a soldier.
  • Continue along the side of Haven Point.

Question: What is the name of the theatre opposite?

Step 2

Turn right along the front of Haven Point.

Question: How many lanes/starting blocks are there in the swimming pool?

Step 3

  • Turn right after the main entrance and follow the path around the building, look through the windows and see the life-size wire swimmers hanging from the ceiling, The Wavemaker by Michelle Castles.
  • Go through the gap at the end of the main building and down the path onto Sea Road. Cross here and turn left along the pavement.
  • Continue along then turn right into the car park after the toilet block, at the end of the path cross the road to the left and go up the sloped path towards The Eye artwork. You can look through The Eye across the harbour and see the Herd Groyne Lighthouse and the North and South Piers, look out for ships, sail boats and if you're lucky you might spot dolphins.

Question: What colour is the Herd Groyne Lighthouse (on the short pier to the left)?

Step 4

Continue along past the steps down on either side and take the second downward sloping path towards the car park, follow it round to the right at the bottom to The Conversation Piece (or The Weebles to locals).

Question: How many statues are there?

Step 5

Take the sloped path up onto Littlehaven Promenade and head back towards the car park. As you walk along you'll see a wall to the left with a stage area and a war memorial to the Gallipoli Campaign behind it.

Question: What colour is the memorial?

Step 6 (end of shorter walk)

  • At the end of the promenade is The Sail sculpture and this is the end of the shorter walk.
  • To continue, turn left onto the South Pier (short section of uneven path) until you come to the Watch House then turn right and head along the promenade behind the fairground.
  • Turn right after Smugglers Cove adventure golf, cross at the lights and go in corner gates to South Marine Park  (Bents Park is also ideal for picnics and is usually quiet unless there is an event taking place).
  • Follow the path around the lake to the right, passing the miniature steam train station.

Question: What is the name of the railway?

Step 7

  • Continue along until you can cross the railway through the gap in fence and take the path to the left, take first right out through the gate and cross the road to the lifeboat memorial next to North Marine Park.
  • This is the end of the walk.

Question: What is the name of the lifeboat?

Map and map key

Seafront Saunter Map

  1. Pier Head Car Park
  2. Haven Point
  3. Westovian Theatre
  4. North Marine Park
  5. South Marine Park
  6. Bents Park
  7. The South Pier
  8. Herd Groyne
  9. Fairground
  10. Crazy Golf
  11. Conversation Piece
  12. The Eye
  13. The Sail
  14. Watch House
  15. Lifeboat Memorial
  16. Public Toilets