Discover Dunston: Staiths, Paths and Family Experiences

Dunston combines an impressive industrial history with paths along the River Tyne, opportunities to observe nature and a wide range of activities for families. Particularly defining are the Dunston Staiths: the Dunston Coal Staithes were built in 1890 for the North Eastern Railway and are more than 1,700 feet long. As a historic landmark, they give Dunston a distinctive character and make the area interesting for travellers who want to combine culture and activity.

Industrial history on the River Tyne

The Dunston Staiths are located on the River Tyne and tell the story of the former importance of coal loading. As a functioning coal-loading jetty, they were closed in 1977 and completely decommissioned in 1980. Today, the structure is designated as a Grade II listed building. A visit therefore focuses not only on a striking riverside structure, but also on a specific chapter of the region's industrial history.

In 2024, the Dunston Staiths were reopened to the public after the pandemic for various events as part of the Tyne Derwent Way. They were also open to the public on the first Saturday of each month between April and September. Travellers interested in historic structures and the development of river landscapes can take this information into account when planning their own trip, without limiting their stay to a single activity.

Hiking, cycling and discovering nature

The Keelmans Way runs through Dunston and forms part of National Cycle Network Route 141. The route is seven miles long and 81.1 percent traffic-free. This provides a clearly defined route framework for planning a cycling trip. The Tyne Derwent Way is a nine-mile walking route that passes the Dunston Staiths. Depending on whether you prefer travelling by bicycle or planning a longer walking route, different forms of transport can therefore take centre stage.

A suitable starting point for orientation is Staiths Space, a community centre on the Tyne Derwent Way near the Dunston Staiths. There, visitors can explore heritage, nature and culture. Staiths Space is also a stopping point for walks or bike rides along the Tyne Derwent Way. The Saltmarsh Garden complements this aspect of Dunston. It is of local ecological importance; meadow celery, sea aster, saltmarsh grass and wild carrot grow there. These specific plants also make the garden interesting for travellers who want to discover the particular features of a river landscape alongside architectural history and active pursuits.

Family experiences in Dunston

Newcastle Adventure and Little Diggers Park offers another distinctly different attraction on Forge Road in Dunston, Gateshead. The facility covers 40,000 square feet and includes Little Diggers, a soft-play area, a Foam Zone, basketball, Battle Beams, Wipe Out, Open Jump, a Reaction Wall and a Ninja Court. The selection ranges from play areas to sports-oriented activities. When planning their trip, families can weigh up whether to focus on the historic staiths and paths, observing nature or a more active visit to the park.

This mix of different ideas for day trips is a useful starting point when choosing holiday accommodation in Dunston. If your trip is to focus mainly on walking and cycling, the Keelmans Way and the Tyne Derwent Way take centre stage. If, on the other hand, you are looking for variety through cultural history, nature and an extensive range of indoor and active activities, the places mentioned can be combined into different day plans. Which accommodation location is the best fit depends on your preferred travel rhythm and the excursions you actually want to undertake.

Compare other destinations

If you would like to compare other places with Dunston for your travel planning, you can also view Birtley, Gateshead and Ryton. This allows you to combine the search for suitable holiday accommodation with a wider selection of travel destinations.

For the higher-level travel overview: Gateshead.