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Beaches and dog rules
The main beaches
- Sandhaven: the main beach along Sea Road, lifeguarded in summer. See Lifeguards.
- Littlehaven: at the mouth of the Tyne, next to Sandhaven.
- Marsden: below the cliffs to the south. The main steps are closed. See Marsden.
(Visit South Tyneside (council): Visiting our beaches; checked 3 Nov 2026)
Dogs on the beach
Breaking the order can mean a £100 fixed penalty (£50 if paid within 7 days). (South Tyneside Council: Dogs on the beach; checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Dogs are welcome all year on Littlehaven Beach and Marsden Beach. (Visit South Tyneside (council): Visiting our beaches; checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Dogs must be on a lead in South Marine Park at all times. (South Tyneside Council: PSPO review 2026; checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Across the borough: clean up after your dog, keep dogs out of fenced play areas, and walk no more than four dogs per person. (South Tyneside Council: PSPO review 2026; checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Beach safety zones at Littlehaven and Sandhaven keep watercraft away from swimmers. (South Tyneside Council: Staying safe at the coast; checked 3 Nov 2026)
Still being confirmed: The council reviewed its dog control rules (PSPOs) in 2026. Any changes for 2027: Check South Tyneside Council: PSPO review 2026.
Water quality
Littlehaven's bathing water is currently rated "poor". Northumbrian Water, the Environment Agency and the council are holding a public drop-in about improving it on Thursday 12 November, 4–7pm, at the Little Haven Hotel. (Shields Gazette, 31 Oct 2026: Littlehaven water quality information event; checked 3 Nov 2026) More in our news story.
Plastic pellets (nurdles) from a ship collision in the Tyne on 19 July 2026 are still washing up on local beaches, and volunteers are collecting them. (Shields Gazette, 10 Oct 2026: nurdle protest; checked 3 Nov 2026)
Seafront toilets
Seafront toilets (except at the amusement park) are open 9am–4pm from 1 Oct 2026 to 24 Mar 2027, then 9am–6pm from 25 Mar to 30 Sep 2027. The accessible toilets at Haven Point car park and the Grotto are open 24 hours. (South Tyneside Council: Public toilets and opening times; checked 3 Nov 2026)
Seafront locations: Amphitheatre, South Promenade (amusements), Bents Park, South Marine Park (Beach Road), Haven Point car park, Coast Road (Grotto, Marsden). Town centre: Market Place and Station Approach (Queen Street), 9am–4pm all year except over Christmas. (South Tyneside Council: Public toilets and opening times; checked 3 Nov 2026)
Sources for this page
- Visit South Tyneside (council): Visiting our beaches, checked 3 Nov 2026
- South Tyneside Council: Dogs on the beach, checked 3 Nov 2026
- South Tyneside Council: PSPO review 2026, checked 3 Nov 2026
- South Tyneside Council: Staying safe at the coast, checked 3 Nov 2026
- Shields Gazette, 31 Oct 2026: Littlehaven water quality information event, checked 3 Nov 2026
- Shields Gazette, 10 Oct 2026: nurdle protest, checked 3 Nov 2026
- South Tyneside Council: Public toilets and opening times, checked 3 Nov 2026