Souter Lighthouse and The Leas, Tyne & Wear | © National Trust Images/Paul Harris

North East

The Souter saunter

On this two mile walking trail, you'll discover much more than a lighthouse standing alone on the coast. Follow coastal footpaths to discover a lost village, a nature reserve on the site of a former colliery, interesting rock formations and a beautiful bay.

View or download a print-friendly version of this trail

Total steps: 9

Start point

Foghorn Field, grid ref: NZ407641

Step 1

Start your journey from the Foghorn House. Make your way through the gate and continue to the coastal footpath.

Step 2

Turn left and follow the coastal path along to the fence.

Step 3

Follow the fence line until you reach the public footpath.

Step 4

Turn left again and follow the public footpath past the lighthouse and through to the entrance to the car park - about 550yd (500m).

Step 5

Turn right this time follow the road down to the car park. It's signposted Whitburn Coastal Park so it's difficult to get lost.

Step 6

Take the path around the Nature Reserve and stop off at the viewing screens for a spot of bird watching.

Step 7

Pick up the coastal path again at the bird hide, take a left and start to make your way back towards the lighthouse.

Kittiwake nest at Souter Lighthouse and the Leas — Kittiwake nest | © Dougie Holden/National Trust

Step 8

Continue along the coastal path.

Step 9

Continue along the coastal path to the fence line and take a left back towards the Foghorn House.

Lizard Point and the odd rock out

Souter lighthouse was originally to be built on Souter Point, but it was later decided that Lizard Point would be a better option, as the cliffs are higher and a shorter tower could be built. They kept the name Souter Lighthouse because there was already a Lizard Lighthouse in Cornwall. As you turn back towards the Foghorn House, can you see the rock that looks different to all others? It’s man made and was used as a ranging marker for the nearby Tyneside batteries during times of conflict. The marker was used so that when aiming south, as long as the artillery was pointed seawards of the marker, the shells would not hit friendly or civilian targets along the coastline.

End point

Foghorn Field, grid ref: NZ407641

Trail map

Map showing route and steps of the Souter saunter walk — The Souter saunter | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey

Coast Road, Whitburn, Tyne & Wear, SR6 7NH

01915293161

souter@nationaltrust.org.uk

We’ve partnered with Cotswold Outdoor to help everyone make the most of their time outdoors in the places we care for.

Visit website

Walkers climbing rocks against a bright blue sky with the mountains in the distance at Sugarloaf, Monmouthshire

Walking

Explore some of the finest landscapes in our care on coastal paths, accessible trails, woodland walks and everything in between. Find the best places to walk near you.

Two walkers in waterproof jackets pause to look out to sea with binoculars from a grassy cliff top path on a sunny autumnal day.

Walking in the North East

From a trek through the largest area of ancient woodland in Northumberland to a walk in the footsteps of the Romans along Hadrian's Wall, there are some amazing places to walk in the North East.

A group of people in a hiking group are being guided on a hike by rangers at Marsden Moor, West Yorkshire

Article

Cotswold Outdoor: our exclusive walking partner

Find out more about the National Trust’s ongoing partnership with Cotswold Outdoor as our exclusive walking partner.

An aerial view of an adult and baby walking a dog along a path at Baggy Point, Devon

Article

Staying safe at National Trust places

The special places in National Trust care sometimes come with a few risks for visitors, be it coastline or countryside. Find out how to keep safe throughout your visits.

Areas A-Z

Things to do

Place types

The Souter saunter

Total steps: 9