Sat on the mouth of the river Tyne is the coastal town of Tynemouth, a seaside town steeped in history and home to Longsands, which has been described as a “beautiful” stretch of sandy beach. The seaside town and its beaches have also been named the “best coastal location” in England for a day trip or staycation this spring, with the May bank holiday just a few weeks away.

The beach was applauded by the team at Millets who analysed Google reviews, water quality ratings, ocean temperatures, beach facilities, accessibility and parking costs to reveal the “best coastal towns in England and Wales”.

Previous visitors to the area have applauded its beach, noting that even in the peak summer it never feels too busy. Posting to Tripadvisor in August last year, one visitor to the beach said: “What a beautiful beach Longsands beach is.

“This was our first visit to this beach and were really impressed with this beach. Very clean and plenty of room. Didn’t feel overcrowded at all despite it being a red hot day.” [SIC]

Tynemouth Longsands is a mile-long beach of golden sand, hence its name, which is popular for coastal walks and relaxing, as well as a series of water sports and swimming. Even in the winter months, it’s not uncommon to see brave locals donning their wet suits or hats and popping into the water for a refreshing paddle.

The team at Millets noted: “The area’s main beach, Long Sands Beach, boasts an overall rating of 4.8 out of five on Google Reviews, the highest of any beach. In terms of facilities and accessibility at Long Sands, the beach offers deck chair hire, as well as designated disabled parking and ramps leading to the beach for wheelchairs.”

If you prefer to stay dry, there are a whole host of lovely walks to enjoy promising breathtaking views of the surrounding area.

Tynemouth also has a long history behind it with strong maritime connections. The Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade was the first of its kind in the world and has its own museum for visitors to learn all about its unique story.

The headland is dominated by the Tynemouth Priory and Castle which has a 2,000-year history behind it. The site is also the burial place of Saints and Kings of the old Kingdom of Northumbria.

Take a stroll along the promenade and you will find yourself at the historic North Shields Fish Quay. Dating back to the 13th century, the Fish Quay is home to a number of old buildings including Clifford’s Fort, built in 1672 as a coastal defence against the Dutch.

Though the quay is old, it is still functioning today and is a hub of local fishing business.

The area is also home to an array of newer businesses, including seafood restaurants and stylish bars and cafés.