Tynemouth Priory and Castle
Tynemouth, Tyne and Wear
A priory and castle sharing a headland at the mouth of the Tyne, with King Edward's Bay directly below and Longsands minutes north for your dog.
The headland does the work here. Tynemouth Priory and Castle occupy a natural stronghold commanding the entrance to the River Tyne, with the North Sea on three sides and long views up and down the Northumberland coast. You enter through the 14th century monastic gatehouse, effectively a small castle in its own right, and inside are the substantial remains of the priory church, burial place of Northumbrian kings and saints.
Whilst you work through the church, the Percy Chantry and the Second World War gun battery, because this site kept defending the river right through to 1945, your dog gets an excellent day out from what surrounds it: King Edward's Bay sits directly below the headland, Longsands beach is a few minutes north, and the coast path runs in both directions.
Dogs are allowed provided they are kept on a lead at all times. Parking for disabled drivers is up the causeway from Front Street through the gatehouse, with everyone else using the town car parks. There is a shop, toilets, exhibition, gardens and picnic seating. Check seasonal dog restrictions on the beaches below.
At a Glance
- Dog Access
- On-lead in the grounds
- Dogs are allowed but please make sure they are on a lead at all times.
- Site Type
- Castle & Fort
- Entry
- £9.35 adult
- £4.67 child · £23.37 family
- Members
- Free for English Heritage members
- Facilities
- Exhibition, Gardens, Parking, Picnic seating, Shop, Toilets, Wheelchair access
- Telephone
- 0191 257 1090
- Parking
- To access disabled drivers' car park (10 spaces), drive up causeway from Front Street, through castle gatehouse and turn right. Visitors parking in village face a 150m uphill walk and 70m of cobbles at gatehouse. Ticket office is in gatehouse. There is additional pay and display parking at the Spanish Battery and along the coastal road which leads to Tynemouth.
English Heritage Membership
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Planning Your Visit
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- Closed
- Wednesday
- 10:00 - 17:00
- Thursday
- 10:00 - 17:00
- Friday
- 10:00 - 17:00
- Saturday
- 10:00 - 17:00
- Sunday
- 10:00 - 17:00
Opening times and prices were checked on 26 August 2026 and are subject to change, and some sites close for events or over winter. Confirm on the English Heritage site page before you travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tynemouth Priory and Castle dog friendly?
Yes, dogs are welcome at Tynemouth Priory and Castle, though they must be kept on a lead at all times throughout the site. It's a genuinely rewarding visit for dogs too — King Edward's Bay sits directly below the headland, and Longsands beach is just a few minutes north, so you can easily combine the historic site with a good stretch on the sand.
Are dogs allowed at Tynemouth Priory and Castle year round?
Dogs are allowed on the castle and priory site year round, as long as they're kept on a lead. The beaches nearby — King Edward's Bay and Longsands — may have seasonal restrictions, so it's worth checking those separately before you plan your visit.
What should I know before visiting Tynemouth Priory and Castle with my dog?
Dogs must be on a lead at all times on site. Parking is worth thinking about in advance — there's a small disabled drivers' car park accessible through the gatehouse, but everyone else uses the town car parks, which means a 150-metre uphill walk and around 70 metres of cobbles to reach the entrance. Additional pay and display parking is available at the Spanish Battery and along the coastal road if the town is busy.
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What’s Nearby?
Beach0.3 mi awayTynemouth Longsands
Tyne and Wear
A popular Blue Flag surf beach at Tynemouth with a seasonal ban on the southern section from 1 May to 30 September; the northern end toward Cullercoats remains dog friendly year-round.
Beach0.3 mi awayKing Edwards Bay
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A sheltered, picturesque sandy bay below Tynemouth Priory and Castle with a complete seasonal ban from 1 May to 30 September, and a calm, intimate character when dogs are permitted outside the season.
Beach2 mi awayWhitley Bay Beach
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Whitley Bay's Blue Flag beach with the restored Spanish City dome, offering year-round dog access north of Panama Gardens and a seasonal ban on the southern section from 1 May to 30 September.
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A sandy beach adjacent to the historic 17th-century Seaton Sluice harbour on the Northumberland coast, with year-round dog access and excellent walking north toward Blyth or south toward Whitley Bay.
Walk5.1 mi awaySeaton Sluice to Cresswell Coastal Walk
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A long linear coastal walk from Seaton Sluice north to Cresswell, following wide sandy beaches, dunes and clifftop paths.
Walk8.3 mi awayWashington Wetlands and River Wear Walk
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