The Ones that Got Away

The Ones that Got Away sits in Whitley Bay, a gallery that feels more like someone's personal obsession made public than a formal museum space. The whole thing revolves around fish - specifically the legendary catches that slipped away, the ones anglers still talk about in pubs decades later. You'll find photographs, tackle, sketches, and frankly rather brilliant folk art documenting local fishing folklore from the North Sea.

It's not a massive undertaking. Most people spend 45 minutes to an hour here, moving through rooms that tell stories of the one that got away with a surprising amount of humour and genuine affection for the subject. Families with older kids who aren't squeamish about fish will find it oddly engaging. Anglers will absolutely lose their minds. History types might appreciate how it documents working-class coastal life.

The gallery doesn't require a booking or fancy planning. Head along when you're exploring Whitley Bay itself - the seafront has proper charm if you ignore the weather. If you're staying at Parkdean Resorts Whitley Bay Holiday Park or Old Hartley Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite nearby, it's worth a rainy afternoon diversion. Nothing earth-shattering, but genuinely different from the usual gallery fare. You'll leave either thinking it's brilliant or wonderfully daft - probably both.