Duke of Northumberland

The Duke of Northumberland is a Victorian-era paddle steamer that sits beached on the shore near Whitley Bay, a curious relic of the North East's maritime past. Built in 1881, this iron-hulled ship once ferried passengers along the coast, but nowadays she's been left to the elements - rusting grandly against the Northumberland seascape. You can walk right up to her, run your hands along the corroded railings, peer through broken portholes. There's something genuinely haunting about stepping aboard a vessel that's been slowly reclaimed by salt spray and time.

Historically minded visitors will find this worthwhile; it's a tangible connection to when coastal steamers were the backbone of North East transport. Families with older kids might spend 30-45 minutes exploring, though younger children could lose interest once they've clambered about the deck. The site is essentially free to access - you're just walking up to a public beach landmark - and you can visit any time, though low tide reveals more of the hull.

If you're camping at nearby Old Hartley Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite, the Duke makes for an offbeat afternoon detour rather than a full day out. The beach itself isn't particularly swimming-friendly, and facilities are minimal, so go prepared with a camera and a sense of adventure rather than expecting refreshment kiosks. It's the kind of place that rewards curiosity; modern travellers often walk past without realising what they're looking at.