Sat on a tiny island just North of Whitley Bay, St Mary’s Lighthouse is a favourite haunt on the North East coast. Accessible only when the causeway is exposed during low tide, the island is the centre of a surrounding nature reserve, and the perfect place for rockpooling and seeing seals and seabirds. You can climb all the way to the top of the lighthouse too! The Northern Soul team have many fond memories of this place, and that’s why we’re sharing this gallery of lovely pics from our new photographer, Phil Pounder.

Photos by Phil Pounder