welcome to
St. Mary's Lighthouse
You are standing at a landmark known as Curry’s Point looking out towards St Mary’s Island. It was here in 1739 that Michael Curry was hanged from a gibbet following his execution for murdering the landlord of a pub in the village of Hartley, north of Whitley Bay. There has been a light on the island since medieval times and the lighthouse dates from 1898 and was in active service until 1984. The lighthouse is now managed as a visitor centre and the 137-step climb to the top of the tower is rewarded with spectacular views of the north east coastline.
The island is accessible via a tidal causeway. For information on opening times click here
For details of events at St Mary’s Island click here
The path in front of you follows the cliff-top to the village of Hartley and is ¾ mile in distance. The route makes an interesting point-to-point walk or a circular route by returning via the A193 south and past Whitley Bay Holiday Park.
The surrounding area is rich with wildlife. As a designated Local Nature Reserve it comprises of cliff-top grassland, wetland habitats and a fresh water pond. The wetland is particularly important for roosting birds including plover, oystercatcher, curlew and redshank as well as migrating birds. Also, the rockpools around the causeway are always worth exploring to see what marine life has been washed up in the tide.
