http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25260 From South Shields head west and meet any other riders at the Tyne Tunnel 'pedestrian' entrance (more info here:www.bridgesonthetyne.co.uk/tyneped.html).

Come out of the tunnel and turn right.  Follow the cycle route up the slight incline and bear right.  Cross the road after about 500 metres and go along the side of Percy Main Cricket Ground.  Pick up the cycle way and continue straight on, following cycle way marked '10' - part of the Reivers Route.  Continue for around five miles and as you hit a new cycle way turn off the route '10' heading north easterly to East Hollywell.  Head down the farm track and follow the track into Hollywell village, tacking a right had turn into Holywell Dene Road. The road turns into track after about 100 metres and after a further 400 metres turn right onto the old railway track, a few miles on you reach a road where you turn right and pass Seaton Deleval Hall, a national Trust property of some granduer (see www.seatondelaval.org.uk/Hall.html).  Continue down into Seaton Sluice for great views of the sea and the spot where Robson Green says he learned to swim!  We usually stop at the Waterford Arms (www.waterfordarms.co.uk/) which does great fish and chips.
From here its south all the way, following Route 1 and the coastline. Past the spectacular St Mary's lighthouse and on to Tynemouth Priory, the burial place of three English Kings, though I can never remember which ones.  From here it's best to head for the Ferry and avoid any traffic.  The ferry runs every 15 minutes and takes you into the heart of South Shields, two minutes from the market square.  There's a great pub called the Allum House right next to the ferry landing but I'll be giving it a miss - just because if I stop off there on Boxing Day I might not want to leave!

A good ride of about 25 miles.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/25260 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10391 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10391 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10347
If you’re peckish Pannis is a nice Italian directly opposite the Bacchus.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10347 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10340
However once you've plucked up courage and opened the door, you'll find that although stuck in a time warp decor-wise - somewhere in the mid70s, this serves the best beer in Newcastle with views to better those from the Baltic.

Oh and the graffiti in the toilets contains some absolute masterpieces – well worth a read. A perfect place for a Sunday afternoon pint. Well worth the hike along the quayside & up the nettle strewn path.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10340 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10327 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10327 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10296 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10296 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10272 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/10272 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8976
See www.paradiso.co.uk/index.htm for further information and to check out the sister establishments - Paradiso also comes highly recommended for their fantastic light lunches, made with locally sourced ingredients.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8976 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4251 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/4251 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3206 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3206 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3117
Featuring a free jukebox and gigs in the summer, this is Newcastle at its down-to-earth best.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/3117 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2296 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2296 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/1560 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/1560