Souter Lighthouse and The Leas
A marvel of its age
Summer at Souter
Fill long summer days with family fun at Souter.
Souter Lighthouse and The Leas
Overview
A marvel of its age
Opened in 1871 Souter remains an iconic beacon. Hooped in red and white and standing proud on the coastline midway between the Tyne and the Wear. Souter is a special place all year round and was the first lighthouse in the world designed and built to be powered by electricity.
To the north The Leas is a two and a half mile stretch of magnesian limestone cliffs, wave-cut foreshore and coastal grassland. The cliffs and rock stacks of Marsden Bay are home to nesting Kittiwakes, Fulmar, Cormorants, Shags and Guillemots. South of the lighthouse is Whitburn Coastal Park and Nature Reserve – reclaimed colliery land, now a haven for wildlife.
- Telephone
- 01915293161
- souter@nationaltrust.org.uk
Souter Lighthouse and The Leas
How to get here
- Address
- Coast Road, Whitburn, Sunderland, Tyne & Wear, SR6 7NH
- By cycle
- NCN1, adjacent to property
- Cycle route information
- By ferry
- Shields Ferry crosses River Tyne from North Shields to South Shields twice hourly
- By bus
- services from Sunderland to South Shields (passes Sunderland train station and South Shields). One bus passes lighthouse, others pass close by
- By train
- East Boldon and South Shields (Tyne & Wear Metro) both 3 miles
- By road
- on A183 coast road
- Parking: The car park is open 9am - 8pm daily (closes 6pm November - March). Charges 9am - 8pm. £1 - 1 hour, £2 - 2 hours, £3 - 4 hours, £4 all day. National Trust members free.
- On foot
- South Tyneside Heritage Trail
Souter Lighthouse and The Leas
Prices
Lighthouse
| Gift Aid | Standard | |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | N/A | £7.50 |
| Child | N/A | £3.75 |
| Family | N/A | £18.75 |
| Family One Adult | N/A | £11.25 |
What is Gift Aid?
Most of our places run the Gift Aid on Entry scheme at their admission points.
Under this scheme, if you're not a member you have the choice of two entry tickets:
- Gift Aid Admission
- Standard Admission
If the place runs Gift Aid on Entry, we'll offer you a clear choice between the Gift Aid Admission prices and the Standard Admission prices at the admission point. It's entirely up to you which ticket you choose.
Gift Aid Admission includes a 10 per cent or more voluntary donation. Gift Aid Admissions let us reclaim tax on the whole amount paid - an extra 25 per cent - potentially a very significant boost to our places' funds.
An extra £1 paid under the scheme can be worth over £3 to the National Trust as shown below:
| Gift Aid | Standard | |
|---|---|---|
| Amount paid by visitor | £11.00 | £10.00 |
| Tax refund from Government* | £2.75 | £0.00 |
| Total received by the National Trust | £13.75 | £10.00 |
*Gift Aid Admissions let us reclaim tax on the whole amount paid - an extra 25 per cent - potentially a very significant boost to our places' funds.
Please note...
There is a payment machine in both car parks. The cost to park is £1 for 1 hour, £2 for 2 hours, £3 for 4 hours and £4 all day, or free for National Trust members.
Free admission to café and shop.
Souter Lighthouse and The Leas
Opening times
Please note...
You'll need to book your visit to the lighthouse (this doesn't apply to the car park and cafe). Please go to What's On for more information.
Monday 26 July
- Lighthouse 10:30 - 16:00
- Cafe 10:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 27 July
- Lighthouse 10:30 - 16:00
- Cafe 10:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 28 July
- Lighthouse Closed
- Cafe 10:00 - 17:00
Thursday 29 July
- Lighthouse 10:30 - 16:00
- Cafe 10:00 - 17:00
Friday 30 July
- Lighthouse 10:30 - 16:00
- Cafe 10:00 - 17:00
Saturday 31 July
- Lighthouse Closed
- Cafe 10:00 - 17:00
Sunday 1 August
- Lighthouse 10:30 - 16:00
- Cafe 10:00 - 17:00
Souter Lighthouse and The Leas
Contact us
- Telephone
- 01915293161
- souter@nationaltrust.org.uk
- Address
- Coast Road, Whitburn, Sunderland, Tyne & Wear, SR6 7NH