Accessibility

 

Accommodation

 

A number of hotels, guest houses and self-catering properties have accommodation suitable for different access needs from wheelchair accessible rooms to fully accessible rooms. Many have access statements which you can read on their website to see if they have accommodation suitable for your specific needs. It is advisable to contact accommodation providers direct to discuss suitability prior to booking.
Burradon Farm Houses and Cottages have a cottage that has been specifically built according to the requirements of the Visit Britain National Accessible Scheme for mobility, hearing and visual impairments.

Blue badge parking

Disabled parking bays are for Blue Badge holders only and in North Tyneside you must display a Blue Badge to park in a disabled parking space. You must display your badge with the expiry date and serial number visible from outside the vehicle. The photograph should never be visible.

Getting around

All Metro Stations in North Tyneside are accessible by level access, ramps or lifts. Many bus services operate with low floor buses with powered or manual ramps for easy access and with dedicated wheelchair space. Traveline can provide details of which bus services are operated with a low floor vehicle – tel: +44 0871 200 2233. The Shields Ferry is accessible for wheelchair users and mobility scooters.

Attractions and beaches

It is advisable to check with attractions prior to visiting to discuss accessibility and your specific needs. Some attractions may not be fully accessible because they are listed buildings or ancient scheduled monuments.
North Tyneside’s beaches are accessible at various points via access ramps however the gradients of these mean a wheelchair user would need a companion to comfortably gain access and egress to the beaches.

 

Public toilets

There are a number of wheelchair accessible public toilets around the borough. 24 hour accessible toilets are located in Whitley Park in Whitley Bay and East Street (next to Gibraltar Rock public house) in Tynemouth. The toilets at Dukes Walk (next to the Rendezvous Café) are open all year round and there are two seasonal toilets at Central Lower Promenade in Whitley Bay and Cullercoats Harbour North open from May to September.
Town centre facilities are located in North Shields Customer First Centre, Northumberland Square and Saville Street, North Shields; Whitley Bay Customer First Centre, York Road and Whitley Bay Metro Station; and Wallsend Metro/Bus Station. There are two accessible toilets on North Shields Fish Quay at the Low Lights car park and Duke Street (near the ferry landing).