🌳 Outdoor
What’s there
- Café on site
- Paid parking
- Baby changing
- Picnic area
- Dogs welcome
Access & inclusion
- Step-free access
- Changing Places toilet
Car park open 9:00-20:00 daily (closes 18:00 Nov-Mar). Payment machine in both car parks: GBP 1 (1h), GBP 2 (2h), GBP 3 (4h), GBP 4 all day, free for National Trust members.
Only facilities we’ve confirmed are listed — anything missing here we simply haven’t checked, rather than know to be absent.
Souter Lighthouse is a historic Grade II* listed lighthouse in Whitburn, South Tyneside, managed by the National Trust as a family-friendly visitor attraction. Decommissioned in 1988, it remains in its original operational state and is open to the public. Visitors can climb the 23m (75ft) tower, explore the engine room with its original steam-powered generators, and visit the keeper's living quarters. Souter was the first lighthouse in the world designed and built specifically to use alternating electric current (AC). The lighthouse has an outdoor play area, Trusty Club, and indoor activities for young visitors. Two former lighthouse keepers' cottages operate as National Trust holiday lets. The Leas offers spectacular coastal walking along the clifftops with views towards the mouth of the River Tyne.
Opening varies by season: open spring/summer (Jun snapshot: lighthouse 11:00-16:00, cafe 10:00-16:30), closed in winter (Jan snapshot: closed). Car park open 9:00-20:00 daily (closes 18:00 Nov-Mar).
Stuff to take with you
The things people wish they’d packed for a day out like this one.
- Refillable water bottleMost places will fill it for free.
- Snacks that survive a rucksackCheaper than the café, and buys you twenty minutes.
- Wet wipes
- Small first aid kitPlasters solve more days out than anything else here.
- Reusable cutlery
- A penForms, competitions, name badges.
- I-spy book
- Colouring book and pencils
- Waterproof jacket
- Tissues
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links open Amazon in a new tab and never change what you pay. How this works
Reviews
No reviews yet — been here with your little ones? Be the first to share.
Something not right? Tell us — opening hours and prices change, and we’d rather hear it from you.
Do you run Souter Lighthouse & The Leas? Claim this listing to keep it up to date and add your own photos.
More museums & science centres nearby
