The Beach, the North Gare

The River Tees, around which Teesside has grown, enters the North Sea at Teesmouth. Here, breakwaters (gares) have been built on both the Northern and Southern banks.

The beach by the North Gare is referred to locally, and sarcastically, as "The Blue Lagoon". At first sight this beach is irredeemable, - located immediately opposite British Steel's Lackenby Works, covered in sea coal, and usually covered in debris.

But this beach is a great favourite with many people, - who walk on it, watch sea birds from it, exercise their dogs on it, and even watch seals from it. As we shall be seeing later, there is far more to this beach than appears at first sight. The beach is a treasured recreation and play area for the local population.