Marsden, Tyne and Wear facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Marsden |
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 Marsden Bay, looking south east towards Souter Lighthouse, Marsden Rock is on the left |
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 Marsden
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| OS grid reference | NZ395650 |
| Metropolitan borough |
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| Metropolitan county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | SOUTH SHIELDS |
| Postcode district | NE34 |
| Dialling code | 0191 |
| Police | Northumbria |
| Fire | Tyne and Wear |
| Ambulance | North East |
| EU Parliament | North East England |
| UK Parliament | |
Marsden is a lovely place found near the seaside town of South Shields. It's in North East England, right on the coast of the North Sea. Long ago, it was part of County Durham.
Contents
Discovering Marsden's Past
Marsden started as a tiny village. It had a few farms, some small houses, and a lighthouse at Souter Point. People also worked in a small limestone quarry nearby.
Marsden Bay and Its Famous Rock
Marsden Bay is a beautiful area with a famous rock formation called Marsden Rock. This rock stands tall in the sea. The area to the north, called The Leas, is a special place for seabirds. It's a safe home for them!
The National Trust now looks after The Leas and Souter Lighthouse. Did you know Souter Lighthouse was the first lighthouse in the world to use alternating current (AC) power? That was a big deal back then! Marsden is also known for its beaches, including Marsden Beach and a hidden spot called Boatie's Bay.
The Marsden Grotto Pub
One of Marsden's most famous spots is the Marsden Grotto. It's a unique pub built right into the cliffs! You can reach it by a special lift. It's a great place to visit and see the amazing views of Marsden Rock.
Whitburn Colliery: A Coal Mining Story
In the 1870s, a company called Whitburn Coal Company bought five local quarries. They tried to dig a deep shaft to reach coal, but water kept getting in. So, in 1877, they tried again using a special method called the Kind-Chaudron process. This helped them dig two shafts to reach the Bensham coal seam.
The Marsden Railway Line
To help transport the coal, the company built a railway line. It was called the South Shields, Marsden, and Whitburn Colliery Railway. This railway connected Marsden to South Shields. It opened for coal transport in May 1879. Later, on March 19, 1888, it started carrying people too!
The railway also served the limestone quarry, a paper factory, and local farms. It was a very important link for the area.
Life in Marsden Village
As the coal mine grew, more workers were needed. So, the company built a new village for them. This new Marsden village was located between the quarries and the coal mine. It was designed to house over 700 people!
The village had 135 houses, a church, a Methodist chapel, a Co-op store, a Post Office, a school, and a Miners Institute. However, living right on the cliff top meant it was often windy and cold. Many miners' wives didn't want to move there. Because of this, most miners lived in South Shields and used the new railway to get to work every day.
The "Marsden Rattler" Train
The passenger train that ran on this railway became famous. People called it the "Marsden Rattler." It traveled all the way to South Shields.
By 1945, when the coal mines became part of the National Coal Board, nearly 1,500 miners worked at the site. The railway line itself became the first passenger line in the country to be owned by the government on January 1, 1947. Passenger trains stopped running on November 14, 1953.
Modern Marsden: Pubs and Shops
Today, Marsden still has two well-known pubs. There's the Marsden Grotto, which is built into the cliffs, and the Marsden Inn, located on Marsden Lane. You can also find a few shops, including a reptile shop, and several post offices as you head towards Cleadon Hills. Marsden Lane is the main street that leads up to Lizard Lane.
Images for kids
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Marsden Bay, looking south east towards Souter Lighthouse, Marsden Rock is on the left
