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Marsden Beach

Tyne and Wear, England


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Marsden Beach, located in South Shields, is a hidden gem that offers a unique combination of natural beauty, rich history, and exciting attractions. .

Marsden Beach is a sandy bay sheltered by limestone cliffs and overlooked by the 139ft high Marsden Rock, which is renowned for its seabird colonies. The beach is rocky and sandy in parts, with a gentle slope, and can be accessed via steps or a lift.

The beach is backed by tall cliffs and features breathtaking rock formations, including a number of sea-stacks and rock arches. One of the most notable features is Marsden Rock, a 30 metre (100ft) tall sea stack that once featured a stunning arch before it collapsed into the sea. When the tide is out, a number of rockpools are exposed, teeming with interesting marine wildlife. The cliffs opposite Marsden Rock are home to Marsden Grotto, one of only two cave-bars in Europe, which is literally carved out of the rock face.

Marsden Grotto has a colourful history of smugglers, wrecks, and ghost stories, including the legend of John the Jibber, who is said to haunt the Grotto. The cliff face is dominated by a lift shaft that takes customers from the cliff top down to Marsden Grotto over 100ft (30m) below.

The beach offers stunning views of the cliffs and the craggy coastline, and is a good place to see a variety of seabirds, including gulls, cormorants, kittiwakes, and fulmars. A seabird sanctuary is located close to the beach, and Marsden Rock is a popular spot for birdwatching and photography.

Pay-for parking is available along the A183 coast road, and access to the beach can be gained via a set of long, steep steps or a lift, for which a voluntary donation is requested. The beach is dog-friendly all year round.

Visitors to Marsden Beach can also explore the nearby Souter Lighthouse, the first electric lighthouse in the world, which is just a 15-minute walk along the coast.

Sand

Weather and tides for Thursday 4 June

Today
Chance of rain 83%
Max temperature 16°C
feels like 15°C
Wind 19mph
Max UV Index
Tonight
Chance of rain 16%
Min temperature 11°C
feels like 11°C
Wind 18mph

The tide at Marsden Beach is currently rising. High tide will be at approximately 6:25 AM, and the next low tide will be at approximately 12:53 PM.

Today's air pollution levels are forecast to be Low

Detailed weather and tides »

Recommended holiday cottages near Marsden Beach

Things to do and see in the area

Souter Lighthouse and The Leas (0.6 miles)
Souter lighthouse (0.7 miles)
South and North Marine Parks (2.3 miles)
The Customs House (2.8 miles)
Arbeia Roman Fort and Museum (2.9 miles)
Tynemouth Priory & Castle (3.3 miles)
Tynemouth Markets (3.5 miles)
Roker & Seaburn Beaches (3.9 miles)

All distances are approximate

Other beaches nearby

Location: Marsden,

Location type: Rural

OS Grid: NZ400649

Coordinates: 54°58'37"N 1°22'34"W

Mapcode: GBR LBTW.VM

What 3 Words: quest.scar.output

Coordinates and location codes are for an approximate mid-point of the beach, and may not reflect the best access point or the most popular part of the beach.

Country: England

Local Authority: South Tyneside

Nearest postcode: NE34 7BS

(for sat-nav purposes only, a beach does not have a postal address!)

Important! Beach information is compiled from a variety of different sources and is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of compilation. However, information may be incorrectly supplied by our sources or go out of date after publication. BritishBeaches.uk makes no warranty as to the accuracy of any information on this page.

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Visitor information for Marsden Beach, Tyne and Wear, England. Weather, tides, visitor comments, beach facilities, photos, nearest postcode, beach information and nearby accommodation.

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216.73.216.53 Thu, 04 Jun 2026 05:09:08 +0100