Freemasonry is one of the world’s oldest secular fraternal societies, and is a society of men concerned with moral and spiritual values whose members are taught its precepts (moral lessons and self-knowledge) by a series of ritual dramas - a progression of allegorical two-part plays which are learnt by heart and performed within each Lodge - which follow ancient … [Read more...]

Originally part of the Parish of Earsdon, New Hartley Village lies a mile inland from Seaton Sluice, and about a mile to the north east of Seaton Delaval. In 1844, the Hartley New Pit or Hester Pit was sunk. Working conditions were good and output was high but water and flooding problems necessitated the installation of a powerful pumping engine at the pit head. No … [Read more...]

Records indicate that early in the thirteenth century, when the present Tynemouth Priory was under construction, the monks had gardens where they grew herbs to make medicine for the poor. They also had a nearby brew-house where various ales were produced, and the younger monks had to learn the secret of brewing the herbs and extracting the virtue to make it ready for … [Read more...]

Until the late 1960s, one of the most well known farms in Monkseaton was Red House Farm, although its correct title was actually Monkseaton Red House. In years gone by, to reach this farm from the village, it was necessary to turn left off Monkseaton Front Street at Monkseaton Brewery and travel for approximately a quarter of a mile along Turpins Lane (Relton … [Read more...]

Designed by local architect J.R. Wallace, with building work being completed in 1939, the Park Hotel was once regarded as one of the most modern and up to date establishments in the country with a commanding and prominent position on the seafront. At this time, access to the hotel was only possible from Grand Parade, as the short link road connecting The Broadway … [Read more...]

The Ship Inn was originally built as a farmhouse in 1688 by a Thomas Mills, for the prominent Mills family of Monkseaton. The building stood slightly to the east of the present Ship Inn, on the site of what is now the junction of Percy Terrace and Lyndhurst Road. It is likely that the farmhouse was converted to become an ale parlour in the late 1700s. The inn … [Read more...]

Perhaps one of the most significant and noticeable features of Tynemouth Front Street is ‘The Arcade’, which is situated on the south side of the road, emerging onto Bath Terrace at the rear. The building once housed the famous ‘Bath Hotel’ which took its name from the nearby 19th Century baths, which were situated below the Priory at Priors Haven. The … [Read more...]

East Farm and its outbuildings stood slightly to the east of the present Ship Inn, on the corner of what is now Percy Terrace and Lyndhurst Road, and probably dates to the 1600s. Originally the home of a Henry Nicholson, the first record of the building appears in 1710 when it was surrendered by a John Mills together with the principal part of the stackyard to his … [Read more...]

For centuries the mouth of the Tyne was a place of shifting sandbanks and dangerous rocks. Most feared of all were the notorious Black Midden rocks. According to local folklore, these rocks were thrown there by the devil in an attempt to curb the wealthy sea trade of Newcastle, something which was never achieved. Usually covered at high tide, the Black Middens … [Read more...]

Originally known as Whitley or Whitley-by-the-Sea, it is widely held that Whitley Bay derived its present name from local indignation at the confusion between the place names Whitley and Whitby, just over a hundred years ago. In this short overview, the origins of Whitley can be traced back to its establishment in 1116 when it was a tiny hamlet owned by the Prior … [Read more...]