You are on Opening Hours. Skip to the next section.

Opening Hours

• For information about the opening hours please click here.
• As the lighthouse is situated on an island, opening times depend on the tide. Using the link above you can view the monthly tidal timetable. In order to maintain social distancing measures, access to climb the tower is via pre-booking only. For opening times or to book a half hour time slot please call 0191 643 4777.

You are on Location. Skip to the next section.

Location

• There is not a bus stop within 150m (164yds) of the venue.
• The nearest National Rail station is Manors.
• The nearest Metro Station is Whitley Bay.

You are on Parking. Skip to the next section.

Parking

• The venue does not have its own car park.

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• Public Car Parks View
  • There is a car park for public use within 200m (approx).
  • The name of the car park is St Mary's Island North Car Park.
  • The car park is located along The Links.
• On Street Blue Badge Parking View
  • On street marked Blue Badge bays are not available.
• On Street Standard Parking View
  • Clearly signed and / or standard marked parking bays are not available.
• Drop-off Point View
  • There is not a designated drop off point.

You are on St Mary's Causeway. Skip to the next section.

St Mary's Causeway

• To access St Mary's Lighthouse visitors must go across St Mary's Causeway, which is approximately 170m long.
• St Mary's Causeway can only be crossed at low tide.
• For information about this month's tidal times please visit the St Mary's Lighthouse Facebook page.
• There is step-free access along St Mary's Causeway.
• The surface of the Causeway may be wet in places if the tide has only just gone out.

You are on Level Change (St Mary's Causeway to St Mary's Lighthouse). Skip to the next section.

Level Change (St Mary's Causeway to St Mary's Lighthouse)

• There is a ramp/slope to access this area/service.
• The ramp/slope is located at the end of St Mary's Causeway, leading up to the gardens in front of the lighthouse.
• The ramp/slope gradient is slight.
• The ramp/slope is permanent.
• There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
• The ramp does have handrails.
• The handrails are on the right going up.
• There is a/are step(s) to access this area/service.
• The step(s) is/are located at the end of St Mary's Causeway, leading up to the gardens in front of the lighthouse.
• There is/are 15+ step(s) to the area/service.
• There is not tactile paving at the top and bottom of the steps.
• The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
• The step(s) is/are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
• There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
• The handrail(s) is/are on both sides.
• The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).

You are on Outside Access (Lighthouse). Skip to the next section.

Outside Access (Lighthouse)

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• Entrance View
  • This information is for the entrance located at the bottom of the lighthouse.
  • There is ramped/sloped or stepped access at this entrance.
  • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
  • The door(s) is/are single width.
  • The width of the door opening is 75cm.
• Ramp/Slope View
  • The ramp/slope is located in front of the entrance.
  • The gradient of the ramp/slope is steep.
  • The ramp/slope is permanent.
  • There is a level landing at the top of the ramp/slope.
  • There is a/are handrail(s) at the ramp.
  • The handrail(s) is/are on the right going up.
  • The width of the ramp/slope is 140cm (4ft 7in).
  • The ramp/slope does bypass the step(s).
• Step(s) View
  • The step(s) is/are located to the right of the entrance.
  • There is/are 2 step(s).
  • The step(s) is/are not clearly marked.
  • The height of the step(s) is/are not between 15cm and 18cm.
  • The height of the step(s) is/are 14cm.
  • There is a/are handrail(s) at the step(s).
  • The handrail(s) is/are on the left going up.
  • Handrails are at the recommended height (90cm-100cm).
  • Handrails do cover the flight of stairs throughout its length.
  • Handrails are easy to grip.
  • Handrails do extend horizontally beyond the first and last steps.
• Comments View
  • The door may be difficult to open when windy, but staff are always on hand for assistance.

You are on Reception (Lighthouse). Skip to the next section.

Reception (Lighthouse)

• The desk/counter is 2m (2yd 7in) from the lighthouse entrance.
• There is level access to the desk/counter from the entrance.
• The desk/counter is high (110cm+).
• The desk/counter does not have a low (76cm or lower) section.
• The lighting levels are moderate to good.
• There is not a hearing assistance system.

You are on Lighthouse. Skip to the next section.

Lighthouse

• The stairs to the top of the lighthouse are located to the right of reception.
• There are 137 steps to the top of the lighthouse.
• The depth of the stairs vary.
• Some of the steps are clearly marked.
• There are handrails the right hand side going up.
• At the top of the stairs you reach the service room.
• From the service room to the lantern room there is a ladder.
• In the lantern room there are 2 to 4 deep steps to access the viewing windows.
• If you are unable to use the stairs to access the lighthouse there is 360 panoramic video available at the bottom of the stairs.
• The height of the controls is 95cm.
• After visiting the lighthouse visitors can go to the visitor centre and gift shop.
• Internally there are 4 steps between the lighthouse, visitor centre and gift shop.
• Alternatively, visitors can exit via the lighthouse entrance and re-enter via the visitor centre entrance.

You are on Outside Access (Visitor Centre). Skip to the next section.

Outside Access (Visitor Centre)

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• Entrance View
  • This information is for the entrance located at the front of the visitor centre.
  • There is step-free access at this entrance.
  • The main door(s) open(s) towards you (pull).
  • The door(s) is/are single width.
  • The width of the door opening is 93cm.

You are on Inside Access (Gift Shop). Skip to the next section.

Inside Access (Gift Shop)

• There is level access to the service(s).
• There is not a hearing assistance system.
• This venue does play background music.
• Motorised scooters are not welcomed in public parts of the venue.
• The lighting levels are moderate to good.

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• Comments View
  • The height of the payment counter is 93cm.

You are on Visitor Centre. Skip to the next section.

Visitor Centre

• There is step-free access throughout the visitor centre.
• The surface of the flooring is vinyl.
• Some of the walkways are narrower in places, however they are still over 75cm wide.
• There is seating available.
• The height of the exhibitions is between 80 to 85cm.
• Some of the exhibitions start from floor level.

You are on Accessible Toilet (Visitor Centre and GIft Shop). Skip to the next section.

Accessible Toilet (Visitor Centre and GIft Shop)

• Accessible toilet facilities are available.

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• Location and Access View
  • There is pictorial signage on or near the toilet door.
  • This accessible toilet is approximately 4m (4yd 1ft) from the visitor centre entrance.
  • This accessible toilet is located at the rear of the gift shop, next to the payment counter.
  • There is level access to this accessible toilet.
• Features and Dimensions View
  • This is a shared toilet.
  • A key is not required for the accessible toilet.
  • The door opens inwards.
  • The door is locked by a sliding bolt.
  • The width of the accessible toilet door is 73cm (2ft 5in).
  • The door may be difficult to open.
  • The dimensions of the accessible toilet are 240cm x 180cm (7ft 10in x 5ft 11in).
  • There is a lateral transfer space.
  • As you face the toilet pan the transfer space is on the left.
  • The lateral transfer space is 140cm (4ft 7in).
  • There is a dropdown rail on the transfer side.
  • There is a flush on the transfer side.
  • The tap type is twist/turn.
  • There is not a mixer tap.
  • There is an emergency alarm.
  • The emergency pull cord alarm is fully functional.
  • Disposal facilities are available in the cubicle.
  • There is a/are general domestic waste, non-infectious waste and sanitary disposal units.
  • There is not a/are not coat hook(s).
• Position of Fixtures View
  • Wall mounted grab rails are available for the toilet.
  • As you face the toilet the wall-mounted grab rails are on both sides.
  • There is not a shelf within the accessible toilet.
  • There is not a mirror.
  • The height of the toilet seat above floor level is 53cm (1ft 9in).
  • There is not a hand dryer.
  • There is a towel dispenser.
  • The towel dispenser cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
  • The towel dispenser is placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
  • The height of the towel dispenser is 110cm (3ft 7in).
  • There is a toilet roll holder.
  • The toilet roll holder cannot be reached from seated on the toilet.
  • The toilet roll holder is not placed higher than 100cm (3ft 3in).
  • There is a wash basin.
  • The wash basin can be reached from seated on the toilet.
  • The wash basin is placed higher than 74cm (2ft 5in).
  • The height of the wash basin is 80cm (2ft 7in).
• Colour Contrast and Lighting View
  • The contrast between the external door and wall is poor.
  • There is a low colour contrast between the internal door and wall.
  • The contrast between the wall-mounted grab rail(s) and wall is poor.
  • There is a poor colour contrast between the dropdown rail(s) and wall.
  • The contrast between the walls and floor is good.
  • The lighting levels are moderate to good.
• Baby Change Facilities View
  • Baby change facilities are located within the venue.
  • Baby change facilities are located within the accessible toilet.
  • The height of the baby change table once extended is 97cm (3ft 2in).

You are on Standard Toilet(s) (Visitor Centre and Gift Shop). Skip to the next section.

Standard Toilet(s) (Visitor Centre and Gift Shop)

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• Availability and Location of Standard Toilets View
  • Standard toilet facilities are available.
• Access to Standard Female and Male Toilet(s) View
  • The female and male toilet facilities that were surveyed are located to the left of the gift shop.
  • The female and male toilets are approximately 3m (3yd 10in) from the visitor centre entrance.
  • Inside the venue, there is level access to the female and male toilets.
  • Lighting levels in the female and male toilets are moderate to good.

You are on Other Floors. Skip to the next section.

Other Floors

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• Steps View
  • The floors which are accessible by stairs are G, 1.
  • There are 15+ steps between floors.
  • The steps are clearly marked.
  • The steps are medium height (11cm - 17cm).
  • The steps do have handrails.
  • The steps have a handrail on both sides.
  • There is a landing.
  • The lighting levels are moderate to good.

You are on First Floor - Meeting Room. Skip to the next section.

First Floor - Meeting Room

• The meeting room is located on the first floor at the top of the stairs.
• The door to the room opens towards you (pull) and is 73cm wide.
• The surface of the flooring is carpet.
• The layout of the room varies depending on meetings and events taking place.

You are on Additional Info. Skip to the next section.

Additional Info

• A bowl of water can be provided for an assistance dog.
• An assistance dog toilet area can be provided onsite.
• The assistance dog toilet area is located the grass area at the front of the lighthouse.
• A member of staff trained in BSL skills is not normally on duty.