We'd stayed in a hotel called Monks Haven. It was a methodist hotel and I remember having to stand behind our chairs in the dining room and sing hymns before our dinner was served. This is the photo I'd taken of the hotel thirty five years ago.
I did a bit of reasearch on the internet and discovered that the hotel had been changed in to a residential home for the elderly. In 2011, the home was given a formal warning for poor standards and bosses there vowed to improve.
I don't know what happened after this as I can't find anything further, however, the building has now been changed in to apartments.
I'd thought the hotel was just across a road from the beach, but I wasn't sure if I'd remembered this right. As it turns out, my memory's better than I feared, there, right across the road from Monks Haven is a lovely sandy beach, enclosed by small piers. Unfortunately, we couldn't go for a paddle as there's a dog ban from May to September.
I remembered going on the beach back in 1980, the trip was taken at the start of the year and it was cold, we'd visited Hadrian's Wall when snow was on the ground. The beach is backed by cliffs and another memory I have is of going in to the caves, the mouths of which you can just see on this photo.
We didn't stay long but it looks like a lovely place for a day out, and the beach is perfect for families.
I don't think we have ever visited Cullercoats but may have driven through at some point.
ReplyDeleteIt's not a big place but it looks lovely for a day out.
DeleteIt can interesting visiting old childhood memories, it's a shame about the report though a little too frequent these days though. The beach does look lovely it's a pity Archie couldn't enjoy it x
ReplyDeleteI didn't know if I'd remembered it all correctly, thirty five years is a long time, I surprised myself. I really enjoyed going back.
DeleteCullercoats always makes me think of the song "Tunnel of Love" by Dire Straits. I've never been there, but I have been to South Shields where we ate very good fish and chips on a beach :-) xx
ReplyDeleteIt does me too, I love that song. I know Andy Taylor of Duran Duran fame came from there (I was a bit of a Duranie if truth be known). Why do fish and chips always taste divine when eaten on a beach?
DeleteLovely for you to take a visit back down memory lane and to know that your memory served you well! xx
ReplyDeleteI've remembered that school trip fondly so it was nice to take a step back in time. I'm so pleased that we found time to visit.
DeleteI really love that you have a photo of the same hotel that you took when you were eleven. It sounds like you enjoyed your return. I hope you're having a good week, Jo.
ReplyDeleteI remember taking the original photo so that I could show my mum and dad where we'd stayed. I really enjoyed going back, it jogged a few more memories too.
DeleteIsn't it funny how much we remember about school trips - but also how much we forget? Cullercoats looks like a lovely place.
ReplyDeleteI can still remember the room I stayed in and where the beds were positioned but I can only remember one girl who I shared with, I've no idea who else stayed in the same room. Cullercoats looks to be a lovely place for families.
DeleteIs Tunnel of Love the one that starts with the music from Carousel? The one about Spanish City? Is that where it was?
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm loving the holiday posts.
It is that song. The Spanish City was a fairground in Whitley Bay which is about a mile up the coast from Cullercoats. I was a bit of a Dire Straits fan in my time and saw them live, they were brilliant.
DeleteThanks for that tale about the lovely old hotel. It's amazing how many lives one building can have. It looks like quite a big town from that last photo. Take care.
ReplyDeleteIt was interesting reading about the other roles the hotel has taken on since my first visit. I think that last photo must be deceiving, it's not a big town, but I think it's got quite a bit to offer.
DeleteAn enjoyable, and interesting, post. It's an fascinating place name. Flighty xx
ReplyDeleteI've just googled and the name Cullercoats is thought to have come from Dove (or Culver) Cotes. We drove through Whitley Bay too, that looked like a nice place too.
DeleteWhat a lovely place, I would love to have one of those flats, over looking the sea, so beautiful! Tammy x
ReplyDeleteThe building looks really lovely now it's been done up. The view must be beautiful overlooking the sea.
DeleteIt's good to see that such a wonderful building has been given a new purpose. I'm glad that your memories turned out to be correct!!
ReplyDeleteIt was looking a bit run down thirty five years ago but it's all spruced up again now and looking lovely. I'm glad I wasn't disappointed with what I found when I revisited.
DeleteWhat an attractive building your previous lodgings were. Excellent memory too, remembering the beach so near. I hope it was good to revisit and rekindle those memories.
ReplyDeleteLisa x
I loved my visit. Cullercoats is a little too far away from where we were staying in Northumberland for a trip so it was great that we had a bit of spare time on the way up so that we could call. I've never forgotten standing behind my chair in the dining room singing for my supper.
DeleteYour memory is good Jo ...
ReplyDeleteGood to see the buildings look good and are being put to good use now too - must be a lovely view, especially from the balcony - which I assume you can get out on to if you are fortunate to own that apartment?
All the best Jan
I'm not quite sure about the balcony, I thought it might just be for decoration but I may be wrong. The view must be wonderful though, that's something I don't really remember from my childhood, things like that didn't seem quite so important then.
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