IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Marden Road South, WHITLEY BAY, NE25 8PN

This fine two storey house, close to Marden Quarry Park, was built, according to William Weaver Tomlinson in his 1893 book, 'Historical Notes on Cullercoats Whitley and Monkseaton', "by Mr. Thomas Taylor early in the century [19th]." It seems that Mr. Taylor was quick to move to pastures new as the property was, "in the Newcastle Courant of July 27th, 1816 advertised to be let ". For a selection of detailed free to download walking routes in the area visit www.northtynesidewalks.co.uk

On A193, Marden Road South.

This surface water inlet was in full flow after heavy overnight rain. The surface water which flows into the park's lake eventually discharges into the North Sea just north of Cliff House, Cullercoats. The history of Marden Quarry dates back to 1684 when the land was leased for quarrying purposes. During its working life the quarry contained large lime kilns, a brickworks, a tower, which served as offices and an explosives store, and a number of cottages for quarry workers. When quarrying finally ended in 1880 at which time the site stretched from Hillheads Road to the north and covered both the rugby and cricket grounds to the west. Eventually, after lying unused for many years, the land was passed to the former Whitley Bay Borough Council and Marden Quarry Park, as we know it today, was subsequently created. The park was officially opened by Princess Margaret on November 22, 1977. Designated as a Local Nature Reserve, the park is home to a variety of breeding wildfowl including Mute Swans, Mallards, Moorhens, Coots and Tufted Ducks. For a selection of detailed free to download walking routes in the area visit www.northtynesidewalks.co.uk

The east end of Marden Quarry.

This old limestone quarry is now a nature reserve and hosts a variety of wildfowl. While some of them are of dubious origins, many are genuinely wild birds although most are very tame. Some rare ones come here occasionally, including a Lesser Scaup in the winter of 2011-2012 which brought many of the local twitchers along to see it.

Prior to April 1974 this stretch of green open space marked the boundary between Whitley Bay Borough Council and Tynemouth County Borough Council. In the distance is the rear of Marden House, a fine two storey house, close to Marden Quarry Park. This house was built, according to William Weaver Tomlinson in his 1893 book, 'Historical Notes on Cullercoats Whitley and Monkseaton', "by Mr. Thomas Taylor early in the century [19th]." The front of the house can be seen at https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6699306. For a selection of detailed free to download walking routes in the area visit www.northtynesidewalks.co.uk

Swans at Marden Quarry.

A disused magnesian limestone quarry, now a nature reserve.

A member of the Umbellifer family (carrot). This is the common hogweed. Giant Hogweed can grow to 5m in height. Sap can cause sensitivity to ultra violet light resulting in severe blistering and swelling of the skin

Once a limestone quarry this small nature reserves boasts a range of flora and fauna and provides the local community with somewhere to relax and enjoy local wildlife http://www.mardenquarry.org.uk