Explore the ghostly legends of St Mary’s Lighthouse in Whitley Bay, where monks, smugglers, and murdered souls are said to haunt the tidal island
Cut off from the mainland twice a day by the tide, St Mary’s Lighthouse on the coast of Whitley Bay is one of the most atmospheric spots in the North East.
The bright white tower, built in the late Victorian era, still dominates the island – but it carries much darker associations.
Visitors have long spoken of ghostly monks, murdered smugglers, and sinister figures that haunt both the causeway and the cliffs.
To walk to the island at dusk is to step into a world where the past feels very close.
History of St Mary’s Lighthouse
The lighthouse was built in 1898, but the island’s history goes back centuries.
A medieval chapel and burial ground once stood here, maintained by monks who kept a beacon burning for sailors on the dangerous coast.
Human remains unearthed during construction were a reminder that this was sacred ground.
The lighthouse itself operated until 1984, when it was decommissioned and converted into a visitor centre.
Today, people still cross the tidal causeway to climb its stairs and take in the views – but many also come in search of something less earthly.
Hauntings of the Island
The most enduring stories speak of ghostly monks, seen gliding around the island or felt as sudden cold gusts inside the tower.
Visitors climbing the stairs sometimes report the unnerving sensation of being followed, even when no one else is near.
But the island also has a bloodier past.
In 1722, a customs officer named Anthony Mitchell was murdered by smugglers, his body dumped on the shore.
Eighteen years later, in 1739, a landlord named Michael Curry was executed for killing a local man.
His corpse was hung in chains from the headland opposite.
To this day, it is known as Curry’s Point, and locals still speak of groans carried on the wind.
Together, these tales create an atmosphere thick with unease.
Some say that on stormy nights, the cries of Mitchell or Curry can be heard above the waves.
Others believe the monks who once prayed here still walk the island, watching the living pass by.
Visiting St Mary’s Lighthouse
St Mary’s Lighthouse can be reached on foot when the causeway is uncovered at low tide.
It is a popular spot for walkers and birdwatchers, and the lighthouse itself is open as a visitor centre.
But go at dusk or in stormy weather, and the mood shifts.
The empty tower, the cries of seabirds, and the sound of waves on the rocks all lend themselves to ghostly imaginings.
Many say that even without seeing an apparition, the island feels charged with unseen presences.
St Mary’s Lighthouse is a Victorian tower, in a place layered with centuries of human history, tragedy, and superstition.
From monks to smugglers, its ghosts reflect the dangers and dramas of the coast it was built to guard.
So if you cross the causeway as the tide ebbs, take care.
When the sea rises and the island is cut off once more, you may not be as alone as you think.
Have you ever felt a presence on St Mary’s Island or heard the voices said to haunt its shores? Share your story in the comments below!
