Roker lighthouse
There’s nothing I like better than standing at the foot of a lighthouse and looking up! Especially when, as in this case at Roker, Sunderland, the pier has been newly restored and it’s possible to walk right out there.
Newly restored Roker Pier
Last week I mentioned that I might have to repeat some of my walks. This is a variation on one I’ve previously done but with the addition of the newly accessible pier. Mind you- it was bitter cold out there, but it didn’t seem to deter whole families of hardy northerners. Toddlers skippetty-hopped along, tugging parents hands, or racing ahead on ‘Christmas-new’ bikes and scooters.
600 metres long, Roker Pier is 111 years old and grade II listed. Enormous seas had rendered it unsafe for the public, and a restoration programme began last June. It reopened in November. Further work is planned to both pier and lighthouse, but I really should start at the beginning of the walk, so grab your warmest coat and woollies. It’s time to go.
This was my start point- note the frost!
The sun was fighting hard to melt the frost
One last remnant of chimney pot
Part of the Riverside Sculpture Trail, the group above are entitled ‘The Red House’, and are just beyond the National Glass Centre, where you can park for free. The trail continues towards the marina which, because of its situation, is probably the warmest spot on our walk today. In fact, I distinctly remember an elderly couple sitting on a bench, backs to the wall and faces lifted reverently to the sun. Overcoats on, of course!
The first sighting of the pier- note the hard frost on the ramp!
Just beyond the marina and the boatyard, a vista of beach and pier opens up before you. The concrete bowls on the beach are filled to different levels, representing different phases of the moon. A promenade leads past a children’s playground to the final item on the Sculpture Trail. This highly polished granite monolith, designed by Andrew Small, has a circular cutout which makes a fine frame for Roker Lighthouse.
The children’s playground
The marble monolith and the pier
Roker as described by Wikipedia is a seaside resort. I doubt that many would lay that claim in these days of exotic holidays, but it still retains a certain charm. It was news to me that the Roker story goes back to 1587, when the Abbs family were granted land on the north shore of the River Wear. It was a condition that they provide six soldiers to defend the mouth of the river.
Did I mention that further work needs to be done on the pier?
The railings could definitely use some TLC!
But out on the pier it doesn’t seem to matter
I didn’t have a band of Northumberland Hussars to pipe me off the pier, like the Earl of Durham, but it would have been nice. As would a hot drink! But for that we need to return to the National Glass Centre. You can pass through the tunnel at the end of the promenade, into Roker Park, and complete a circuit back to the front, or simply retrace your steps.
Be sure to leave yourself time to loiter in the Glass Centre. You’re bound to like something!
Even if it’s only an angel in a bauble! So, that’s another walk completed! I hope you enjoyed it. I’ll be back next week, and we’ll wander some more.
If you’d like to join in my Monday walks, it’s very easy to do. Just click on the logo or my walks page. Many thanks to this weeks contributors. Now, let’s put the kettle on and settle back to read!
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Lovely Debbie from Travel with Intent is joining us this week. I know you’ll enjoy Glasgow through her eyes. Many thanks, Debs!
Paula has an on-going love affair with Corsica and it’s not hard to see why :
You can count on Cardinal to have a unique viewpoint! :
Again, Jude has me wishing I was on the far side of the world! :
Amy’s back with a bang! Well, maybe that’s not the right expression around a volcano!
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
A Monday walk wouldn’t be a Monday walk without Drake, would it?
Friendly minded castle conquest
Please welcome a very distinguished newcomer, from Australia. Many thanks for joining us, Elizabeth!
New Year’s walk : a giant stairway and a miniature train
And a lovely lady called Lisa joins us from the Bay of Islands :
Rosemay finishes off her zoo walk. It’s hot!
And then Yvette comes in with a blockbuster of a post!
If you’re not totally worn out, you can even do an evening walk? Welcome Bon Minou!
What a selection! Brilliant, aren’t they? Have a great week everyone, and happy walking!
restlessjo 
As ever, very nice photos. The glass centre looks really interesting. Can you go inside the lighthouse?
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Thanks, Colin 🙂 Not currently with the lighthouse but they are planning more restorations this summer and that may be intended. I’d like that! 🙂
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The stairs look like they are covered with plush carpet.
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Yes, I had to look a time or two, Esther 🙂
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Another fine walk Jo – its no good, I am going to have to persuade the Geordie lady to venture into foreign territory 🙂
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I would have thought the Arctic was foreign enough for anyone, Robin 🙂 🙂 Cheers!
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If I stopped at the Glass Centre I would leave all my money behind there; mind you I would get some lovely things to take home in exchange. Love the way the marble monolith frames the lighthouse.
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I’m sure there’s space enough for me to move my bed into a corner somewhere then I would never have to leave, Ann (except for a stroll on the pier 🙂 )
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What a splendid idea!
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Oh, you’ve seen it already…LOL…thanks!
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🙂
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Good morning, Jo! Happy walking. Minou
https://minouwrites.wordpress.com/2015/01/12/amsterdam-by-night/#more-2028
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Many thanks, Minou! I was delighted to be shown Amsterdam in the evening, but had to rush off for this morning’s walk before I saw this comment. 🙂
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Love that sweeping view round to the lighthouse Jo . They’ve done a marvellous job with restorations . I can see it’s a walk to be revisited apart from the location with sea and beach the sculpture trail is a fascinating addition to the ramble . I bet people find plenty of fun ways to photograph themselves with that plain and simple monolith there 🙂
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Funny you should say that, Poppy 🙂 The photo of the monolith I’m showing is from a previous walk. I took a couple of rather silly ones reflecting me and Mick, but decided not to use them 🙂 Not my finest moment!
I’m not sure if they’re going to open the lighthouse up when the next lot of restorations are done, but that would be good 🙂
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Wonderful walk, Jo! Your first photo taken at the base of the lighthouse is stunning. I think I need a cup of tea after the brisk walk. Thanks for taking us along! xo
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Many thanks 🙂 Today was really wild and windswept, Jill, so I’m still trying to warm up. That cuppa’s a good idea 🙂
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so historical, informative and culturally powerful – I enjoyed this place always – Thank you for sharing!
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Thank you for your lovely company, Mihran. It makes the walk even better 🙂
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I love all the history regarding these places,,,well done once again…
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Thank you, Gerry 🙂 Hope you’re keeping well?
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I felt a twinge of vertigo looking up at the lighthouse! That green grass and blue sky is deceiving. If you hadn’t pointed out the frost, I would not have realised how cold it was. It brought back memories of winter walks when I lived in London. An interesting walk, Jo!
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Many thanks, Elizabeth, and for taking part too. The chief lure of any walk in this area is the Glass Centre, but I do love a pier 🙂
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My walk is ready: http://travelwithintent.com/2015/01/12/short-plecnik-walk-ljubljanica/ Enjoy!
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Ooh, I hope it’s a sunny one, Debbie 🙂 I’m still chilled from this morning’s walk 🙂
Many thanks!
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I love that Celtic design that’s carved into the rocks. Very beautiful.
Thanks for taking us on this walk!
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Hi Cardinal! 🙂 Your comment came up just as I was about to rush off for today’s windswept walk and I didn’t have time to answer. I was going to use the first lighthouse photo in your B&W challenge but there just wasn’t enough contrast. So I went trespassing on a posh neighbour’s property and got a couple of interesting shots to convert. Not sure if I’ll be able to go back without being spotted though. It was fun trying 🙂
Many thanks for your link again!
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Lovely walk Jo! I loved the images but that first photo of the lighthouse was especially breathtaking!
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Many thanks, Lisa! It was one of those occasions when I just had to start at the end and work back 🙂
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Your post inspired me to take another walk. Okay, nowhere near as beautiful as your walk, but still lots of fun with much needed peace and quiet. I really like this Monday Walk idea. Thanks
http://lisadorenfest.com/2015/01/18/kawakawa-opua-cycle-trail/
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Great timing, Lisa 🙂 I usually snatch whatever time I can to put my walk together on a Sunday so I’m ready to roll on Monday morning (when I’m usually out walking 🙂 ) We have a lovely pink sky here today. Thank you very much and enjoy your week!
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Ooo! I hope to see some pictures of the lovely pink sky!!!! Looking forward to walking with you again virtually
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Great walk Jo – I’m just putting the kettle on to warm up, brrr! Those steps with built-in stair runner are wonderful – no need to vacuum that carpet 🙂
My walk is on its way
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Wonderful, Debbie! 🙂 No hurry- you have till Sunday 🙂 I’m off out on a very breezy walk in about half hour. With a few layers on 🙂
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The first shot of the Roker lighthouse is splendid, Jo. And thank you for the breezy hike. I have a walk this week too – to St Dwynwen’s island on Anglesey: http://wp.me/pKVAM-172
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Fantastic, Trish! I love having your company 🙂 Many thanks!
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Whatever happened to the old Roker Park stadium, Jo?
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Housing estate, Richard 😦 We walked past it on the way back! Did you go there? I think there’s a plaque commemorating 🙂
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No, i never went but rememver hearing about the famous Rokrr Roar. All the old grounds seem to be housing estates or supermarkets now. Looked a nice (but cold) day for your walk!
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