Underrated UK town has 'Jane Austen feel' and beautiful beach with golden sands A once-snubbed UK seaside gem is now sparkling with its elegant buildings, top food spots and stunning coastal views.
Take a trip to the Volunteer Life Brigade Maritime Museum when you're in town to uncover the roots of the UK's first volunteer lifeboat squad, established in 1864 after the tragic loss of 32 lives when the schooner Friendship and the steamer Stanley wrecked on the rocks at the Tyne's mouth.
It's certainly not grim in this part of the north: cafe tables dot the pavements and superstar DJs hit the decks at Barca ArtBar; the promenade is alive with walkers; surfers fill the beach; and a £5m campaign to restore the 1920s lido is gathering pace," writes the Times.
When down on the beach you can treat yourself to seafood from Riley's Fish Shack - which is located on a shipping container on sand - or upmarket fish and chips from Longsands Fish Kitchen.
The beach is a stretch of golden sands and blue sea which runs to the horizon, set against the dramatic natural backdrop of Trow Rocks and the Leas to the south.
