The History Of Whitley Bay

Whitley was first mentioned in 1100 when King Henry I gave it to the Priory of Tynemouth.

In 1345, Edward III granted Gilbert de Whitley a licence to add battlements to his manor house at Whitley.

Old industries in Whitley were mainly coalmining and limestone quarrying.

By Lucy Cotterill, Year 3

Whitley Bay railway station

• More people started to come to Whitley Bay for their holidays when the North Tyne Loop railway line was opened in 1882.

• The railway connected the towns and villages at the coast to Newcastle.

• The rail line is now used for the Metro. The old railway stations are now used as Metro stations.

Whitley Bay train station

People used to come to Whitley Bay by train for their holidays. Fewer people come on holiday to Whitley Bay now that flights are cheaper! There are still hotels and a caravan park.

The lighthouse and keepers cottages were built in 1898. It was a working lighthouse until 1984.My Dad takes us on bike rides to the lighthouse. My mum used to work in the café that was there when she was 15. If it was quiet she had to clean the outside windows of the cottages!

Why “Whitley Bay”?

• The town was known as Whitley but was often confused with Whitby in North Yorkshire.

• The name was officially changed to Whitley Bay after a mistake in 1901, when a body was meant to be buried in Whitley, but was taken to Whitby by mistake.

• I know Whitby and Robin Hood’s Bay very well because we used to have family holidays there with our cousins.

Whitley Bay ,North Tyneside. Whitby, North Yorkshire

The Spanish city

The Spanish city was built in 1910. As you can see the Dome used to be a much more cared for and a pretty place.

Spanish City in the past! Spanish City now!

Dire Straits, one of my Mum’s favourite bands, sing about The Spanish City in their song. ‘Tunnel of Love” Some of the lyrics are written at the new plaza!

War memorial

The War memorial is here to show us the people fought and died for us in World Wars 1 and 2.

Whitley Bay Ice Rink

Whitley Bay ice rink opened in 1955. The owner of the building is Mr Francis Smith. It is the home of the Whitley Bay ice hockey team; Whitley Warriors. There used to be concerts held here as well as skating!

The Skate park is a really fun place for kids .The skate park was built in 2008 and is just at the end of my street. I have been taking my scooter here since I was 2!

Whitley Bay Library

This is the old library that was recently demolished. I used to go there a lot to borrow books and did ‘bounce and rhyme’ there as a baby.

The new library in the centre of town was opened in 2013.

RegenerationThe Boardwalk Cafe – Demolished, March 2015

My Mum took us to the Boardwalk to meet our friends when I was young. I feel sad not to go there any more but I’ll look forward to going there when the site is improved.

RegenerationThe Avenue – Demolished, March 2015

This pub in Park Avenue closed in the early 2000's and is being demolished as part of the regeneration plan for Whitley Bay

Whitley Bay - Time Line

1882 - North Tyne Loop railway built

2013 – New library building opens

1937 to 1945 - Second Word War

1100 – Whitley belonged to the Priory of Tynemouth

St Mary’s Lighthouse opens - 18981901 – Whitley becomes known as Whitley Bay

1910 - Spanish City builtPark School opens - 1903(Coquet Park First School)

First World War - 1914 to 1917

Whitley Bay Ice-rink opens-1955

Rendezvous Café built - 19301926 - North Promenade extended

Coquet Park School moves - 2003

1984 - Lighthouse decommissioned

By Lucy Cotterill

I LOVE LIVING IN WHITLEY

BAY!