Cullercoats

About Cullercoats

Cullercoats village was founded in 1539. Historically the village was dependant on fishing; there was also local coal mining in the bell pits. The coal was used to fire salt pans on the field now known as the boat field. As a port, Cullercoats was used to export both salt and coal. By 1710 the pier had been severely damaged and the waggonway's condition had deteriorated. The last salt pans moved to Blyth in 1726. This left fishing as the main industry and two piers were built on either side of the harbour in the 19th century to provide shelter for the many open top fishing vessels, launched from the harbour. Local fishermen can still be seen going out for catches of cod, lobster & crabs.

Cullercoats is known historically as an artists colony with Homer being the most famous of the professional artists who were part of the ‘Cullercoats Colony’ in the period 1870–1920. Other well knowns artists included Henry H Emmerson, Robert Jobling with visitors such as Ralph Hedley coming to the village.

The local fishwives (wives and daughters of the fishermen) were a huge part of the community, searching for bait, digging worms, gathering mussels limpets and crabs. They also assisted in baiting the hooks. In addition to this, they carried the fish to the market to sell them. Which could mean carrying a load on their shoulders, of between three or four stones in weight, to Newcastle, which is about ten miles in distance from Cullercoats, in the hope of meeting with a better market.

The Cullercoats Fish Lass became a popular subject for many of the Cullercoats Artist Colony, the most famous portrayal being by Winslow Homer during his stay in Cullercoats in 1881 & 1882. Homer depicted the strenuous & courageous lives of the fishwives hauling and cleaning fish, mending nets, and, some of the most sensitive of the women waiting for the safe & speedy return of their men to the shores.

In 1913, Jean F. Terry wrote The Cullercoats fishwife, with her cheerful weather-bronzed face, her short jacket and ample skirts of blue flannel, and her heavily laden "creel" of fish is not only appreciated by the brotherhood of brush and pencil, but is one of the notable sights of the district".

The Romance of Old Tynemouth and Cullercoats, by William S Garson,wrote: "The Cullercoats fishwife plays a man's part in helping to launch the lifeboat, frequently wading waist-high into furious and ice-cold waters, and she never hesitates to allow her man to take a place on the boat, though he may go to face death and disaster."

The Cullercoats English schoolmaster, musician and songwriter John Gair Robson wrote the song Cullercoats Bay. Copyrighted in 1950, and performed in 1960 by Owen Brannigan & Gerald Moore , the lyrics sing the praises of the village:-

“In many strange lands o'er the ocean I've been,

And countless the beautiful sights I have seen,

But I'm a Tynesider, and proudly must say,

I've seen nothing finer than Cullercoats Bay.”

Cullercoats is a 20 minute metro journey or drive directly into Newcastle city centre. Within walking distance of the larger coastal villages of Tynemouth & Whitley Bay with their larger selection of restaurants, bars & shops.

Modern day Cullercoats is a quiet village complete with a fantastic range of bars, restaurants, cafes & a great selection of shops. Hyperlinks as below.

Restaurants, Bars & Pubs (all the links below are 'live' hyperlinks ...just click on the link & it will take you to the website)

Coffee Shops & Cafes

Shops, Takeaways & Post Office plus Kayaking!

Coop