By the end of the 18th century, the natural harbour at Cullercoats helped the growth of the village which also became a fashionable resort at this time
A well-known location on the North East coast, local historian CHARLIE STEEL charts the origins of Cullercoats
The land on which Cullercoats in modern North Tyneside was founded was once owned by Tynemouth Priory, before being seized by the Crown in 1539.
The lands were sold in 1588 to the Delaval family and later passed into the hands of a Thomas Dove, when they became locally known as ‘Arnolds’ or ‘Mardon’ Close.
In 1644, Dove let part of this ground to a Richard Simpson, giving him permission to fish with one boat which was to be built, repaired and managed in partnership with Dove.
This appears to be the earliest record of commercial fishing in the settlement. Thomas Dove also enclosed a small area for use as a Quaker burial ground. The significance of Dove and Simpson are reflected in local street names.
By the 1670s Cullercoats began to develop as a small port for the shipment of coal from the nearby Whitley Colliery, as well as salt from local pans.
A quay was erected between 1677 and 1682 and a primitive wagonway laid down to transport the coals. The cost of the quay was met jointly by the colliery lessees and Lady Elizabeth Percy, daughter of the 11th Earl of Northumberland.
These small industries brought prosperity to the village into which more people moved in to set up their own trades and establish a small community which supported and served all basic needs.
In 1710 a storm washed away the end of the quay, and repair work was never carried out due to the expense.
At the same time, difficulties with the working of coal at Whitley affected shipments from Cullercoats and the Jacobite uprising of 1715 unsettled the country’s trade in general.
In 1726, the salt pans were transferred further up the coast to Blyth, marking the decline of Cullercoats harbour for export.
As a result, the local population was forced to turn to another resource for its livelihood, and that was fishing.
By the end of the 18th century, the natural harbour at Cullercoats helped the growth of the village which also became a fashionable resort at this time.
By 1801 the village had a population of 452 and there were indications that Cullercoats had fallen into some decay.
This picturesque setting inhabited by fisherfolk attracted many artists to paint there, such as Thomas Miles Richardson, Perlee Parker, Robert Jobling and John Falconar Slater.
In 1882, the American artist Winslow Homer also spent a year at Cullercoats.
Under the benefaction of George Richardson, a local Quaker, many improvements were made to the village with better water supplies, some new housing, installation and maintenance of footpaths and the building of a schoolhouse for the instruction of local children.
A primitive Methodist Chapel was built in 1869 and on October 13, 1879 the ‘Look-out’ or Watch House was officially opened for the use of members of the Volunteer Life Brigade. This building remains as a significant landmark in Cullercoats and is symbolic of the community’s affinity with the sea.
Although much of the community’s past charm has disappeared under development, Cullercoats remains as an important tourist attraction on the North East coast.
Born in Newcastle, local historian and author, Charlie Steel has spent much of his life living in Monkseaton. With a lifelong interest in the North Tyneside area, he has several published books to his credit. They include Monkseaton Village (Part 1 & 2), Whitley Bay Remembered (Part 1 & 2), North Shields Public Houses, Inns & Taverns’ (Part 1 & 2), and Tynemouth Remembered – all published by Summerhill Books.
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