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Marsden Bay, the Grotto and Marsden Rock

Access to the beach is reduced. The steps next to the Grotto have been closed since last December over safety concerns. A council-funded replacement costing more than £600,000, built by Esh Construction, starts in November 2026 and is expected to finish in spring 2027. The work needs cranes, so it depends on the weather. Until then, use the Redwell Bank steps when tides allow, and check tide times first. (South Tyneside Council, 21 Oct 2026: Major work to replace Marsden steps; ChronicleLive: Marsden steps work; checked 3 Nov 2026)

News: £600k replacement of the Marsden steps. Tides: Tides & sea safety.

The Grotto

Marsden Bay and The Leas

Dogs are allowed on Marsden Beach all year. (Visit South Tyneside (council): Visiting our beaches; checked 3 Nov 2026) On Monday 30 November a council wellbeing walk starts at The Word at 10am. It takes the E1 bus to the Grotto, the lift down to the bay, the Redwell steps up, then the cliff path to Trow Point and back by the promenade and South Marine Park. (Shields Gazette, 3 Nov 2026: wellbeing walk; Visit South Tyneside: Marsden Bay and The Leas walking for wellbeing; checked 3 Nov 2026)

Public toilets on Coast Road by the Grotto; the accessible one is open 24 hours. (South Tyneside Council: Public toilets and opening times; checked 3 Nov 2026)

Sources for this page

  1. South Tyneside Council, 21 Oct 2026: Major work to replace Marsden steps, checked 3 Nov 2026
  2. ChronicleLive: Marsden steps work, checked 3 Nov 2026
  3. BBC News: Marsden cliff steps replacement, checked 3 Nov 2026
  4. The Grotto, Marsden (venue website), checked 3 Nov 2026
  5. Visit South Tyneside (council): Visiting our beaches, checked 3 Nov 2026
  6. Shields Gazette, 3 Nov 2026: wellbeing walk, checked 3 Nov 2026
  7. Visit South Tyneside: Marsden Bay and The Leas walking for wellbeing, checked 3 Nov 2026
  8. South Tyneside Council: Public toilets and opening times, checked 3 Nov 2026