Whitley Bay is a traditional small British seaside town on the North East coast of England, with clean, sandy beaches and a surrounding area offering lots of beautiful countryside.  Population is 38,000.  Being on the North Sea, the weather is generally quite cold, wet and windy but we do have some nice weather in the Summer!

We like walking on the beach, climbing on the rocks around the cliffs, walking along the coast, walking in the local country parks, flying our kites and visiting the local museums.

Stanley certainly enjoyed the beach...

St. Mary's Island, with its imposing lighthouse, is reached by a short causeway...when the tide allows it!  It is often underwater.

There are 137 steps to the top of the lighthouse, which first shone in 1898, warning mariners of the perils lurking along the coastline.

Now the lighthouse is a welcoming beacon to visitors - like Stanley! 

Nearby Tynemouth has many attractions, such as the ruined Tynemouth Priory, The Blue Reef Aquarium Sea-Life Centre and a great beach.

More entertainment is provided by the Whitley Bay Playhouse, an old-fashioned theatre. On Saturday 27th March 2005 Stanley enjoyed a show there, called "The Singing Kettle".

In nearby Newcastle there are several more theatres, the largest being the "Theatre Royal".  We took Stanley to see a brilliant play there on 2nd April.  Called "Treasure Island" it was about two men stranded on a raft in the ocean, who fill their time by acting out the classic book.  It was the best thing we've ever seen at the theatre, and we like going to the theatre so have seen a lot of plays!