Tynemouth’s Longsands beach has been a popular visitor destination for more than 150 years.
In Victorian times local businesses hired out bathing machines and boats, and provided refreshments. These have been replaced by companies offering surf board and canoe hire.
A regular Blue Flag award winner, Longsands came sixth in the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice awards for best beaches in the UK.
Pete Warne, tourism manager at North Tyneside Council, said: “The boroughs’ award-winning beaches contribute significantly to the £268m generated by tourism in North Tyneside annually, and the 5.9 million visitors it attracts.”
Sea bathing was initially thought to have curative or therapeutic value, but later became a popular pastime. The introduction of railways also played a part in the rise of the seaside resort.
A spokesman said: “[They] are highly trained and are equipped to deal with everything from locating missing children and treating minor cuts and grazes, through to performing major first-aid and lifesaving rescues.”
Throughout the decades August Bank Holiday has been a busy time – with crowds flocking there in 1938. The salt-water lido opened at the south end of the beach in 1925.
