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School visits and learning at Souter Lighthouse

A group of school children gather around a National Trust leader on a beach
Outdoor learning on the beach | © National Trust Images/Trevor Ray Hart

Bring the classroom to Souter Lighthouse. We welcome pre-booked school groups and offer a wide range of activities to inspire children and explore the local heritage and wildlife. Discover the hands-on workshops and outdoor activities available and how to book a visit for your school group.

Explore Souter Lighthouse 

Book a school visit to Souter Lighthouse and explore the first ever purpose-built electric lighthouse. 

Pupils can climb the 76 steps to the top of the tower and visit Keeper’s Cottage to discover how a trainee lighthouse keeper lived in the 1950s. Inquiring minds can find out how the Engine Room provided power for the whole station and the foghorn too. And everyone can have some fun with hands-on activities in the exhibition room.

Optional activity sessions 

To make your school visit even more interactive, we can also arrange nature-based activity sessions. There are several options available including:

  • arts and crafts - outdoor art, beach art or landscape collage
  • mini-beast hunting
  • rock pooling (tide dependent)
  • orienteering
  • geocaching
  • wildlife walk and litter pick
  • geology activities, delivered by Chartered Geologist Simon Hendry
  • COAST South Tyneside activities, delivered by Lauren Brooks from South Tyneside Council 
  • active outdoors (sports) sessions    

We also offer the option of a National Trust staff leader at an additional charge of £30.

We'll be happy to work with you to tailor your visit according to your requirements wherever possible.

We ask that all school bookings are requested at least four weeks in advance so that we can make sure everything is prepared for your visit.   

We can accommodate a maximum of 30 students, depending on the optional activity. 

Data collection and fieldwork 

By arrangement, groups are welcome to use our diverse site (self-led or with a National Trust leader) for data collection and coursework relating to biology or geography fieldwork and citizen science projects such as the Big Seaweed Search, the Shark Trust Great Eggcase Hunt, the North East Ladybird Spot, Nature Overheard survey, wildflower surveys, Bio Blitz events and more.  

Get in touch  

For more information and to book your group visit, email Amelia Gray Amelia.Gray@nationaltrust.org.uk

Education Group Access Pass 

Schools or education groups can benefit from an Education Group Access Pass (formerly Education Group Membership or EGM), which gives the whole group free admission and parking at most of the places in our care for a year.

Please note: this must be purchased prior to your visit to ensure you get free entry on the day.

Adults and children look out the window of the lantern room in the Souter Lighthouse and The Leas, Tyne and Wear

Discover more at Souter Lighthouse and The Leas

Find out how to get to Souter Lighthouse and The Leas, where to park, the things to see and do and more.

Plan your visit

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Things to see and do at Souter Lighthouse and The Leas 

Find out what to see and do on a visit to Souter Lighthouse and The Leas. Climb the lighthouse, explore the rock pools and discover this haven for wildlife.

A visitor sits cross legged on a bench on the edge of an area of short grass, looking towards the red and white striped tower and white painted buildings of Souter Lighthouse. Low sunlight casts long shadows. Pink tinged thin grey clouds cover most of the sky above a dark blue-grey strip of sea.

History of Souter Lighthouse and The Leas 

Discover the history of Souter Lighthouse and The Leas. From a lost village to world-leading technology, Souter has many stories to tell.

Close up of the lantern crowning Souter Lighthouse and The Leas, Tyne & Wear

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