Tynemouth: The Wind That Ruins Cornwall Is Offshore Here

Every November, the west coast spends a lot of time blown out. The fronts roll in off the Atlantic, the wind sits in the south-west for days, and Cornwall turns to mush. On the other side of the country, that same wind is blowing straight offshore at Tynemouth.

Longsands is the North East's town beach: a long, east-facing stretch of sand between the priory headland and Cullercoats, with a Metro station at each end. It needs the North Sea to do something, which it doesn't always. When it does, it's clean, it's cold and it's one of the best winter beach breaks in England.

The wave

Beach break, with peaks shifting along the sand depending on the banks. It's usually at its best towards the ends, where the rocks give the banks a bit of shape, and softer and more forgiving in the middle. That spread makes it a decent place to learn on small days and a properly punchy one when a good swell lines up.

At the southern end, below the priory, King Edward's Bay is a small, sheltered cove that can be the only thing working when the swell is too big or the wind is wrong for the main beach.

When to go

• Swell: It faces east, so it needs swell from the north round to the east. That comes from low pressure tracking across the north of Scotland or down the North Sea. It's less consistent than the Atlantic and often shorter-period, so it can turn on quickly and drop off just as fast. Check the forecast every day and go when it's there.
• Wind: Anything from the west is offshore, which is why it's such a good winter option. South-west and west clean it up, north-west is good too. An easterly blows it out, and an onshore North Sea wind in January is about as unpleasant as surfing gets.
• Tide: It works on most of the tide, and the best stage moves with the banks. Low to mid is often a safe bet. Watch it for twenty minutes, or ask someone who's just come in.
• Daylight: About seven hours in mid-December, with sunset well before four. Plan around the light.

Not sure how to tell a short-lived wind swell from something worth driving for? Our guide to reading a UK surf forecast covers it.

What it'll cost you

The North Sea is the cold one. Long-term averages are around 11°C in November, 9°C in December and about 7°C from January to March. That's two or three degrees colder than Cornwall all winter. A 5/4 hooded suit, 5mm boots and gloves from December onwards, and don't stand around talking in the line-up. The full picture is in UK Sea Temperatures By Month.

Then there's the seafront afterwards. Grand Parade is open and exposed, and in winter the wind off the land is cold even when it's offshore. A Fisherman Beanie goes on first, a changing mat keeps your feet off the pavement, and something heavy like the Location Withheld Hood goes on over wet hair. More on that in How To Change In A Car Park.

The honest bit

It's a city beach. On a good swell at the weekend it gets busy, with surf schools in the summer and a strong local crowd all year. Be patient, share the peaks, and don't paddle straight into the best spot on your first visit.

The North Sea also goes flat for long spells. You'll check it more often than you surf it. That's the deal. When it's on, it's worth the wait. Lifeguard cover is seasonal, so in winter assume nobody's watching. Watch for rips near the rocks at either end, especially on a bigger swell.

If it's too big or messy, try King Edward's Bay. If it's small, Cullercoats Bay just to the north is sheltered and sometimes has a small wave when the main beach doesn't. For a North Sea alternative a bit further south, see Saltburn.

More UK breaks in the Guide to Spots.

Kit built for exactly these conditions, not the brochure version. svrf.uk