Dunston staiths

Dunston Staiths is a wooden coal-loading structure extending across the River Tyne in Gateshead. The building consists of multiple levels of timber platforms supported by substantial wooden and iron beams that reach far out over the water.

The staiths were built in 1893 to load coal directly from trains onto ships heading to London and Europe. This structure became a key part of the region's coal industry and shaped the economic life of the area for many decades.

The staiths reveal how working people in this area earned their living and what role coal trade played in their community. You can see how the wooden structures were designed for daily labor and understand the physical demands this work placed on those who operated them.

The site is easiest to reach on foot from central Gateshead, as it sits directly beside the river. The best times to explore are during calmer weather, since the structure is very exposed to wind blowing across the water.

Around the old structure, a saltmarsh garden has grown, now home to herons, lapwings, and even otters. Industrial history and nature have merged here in an unexpected way.

Location: Gateshead

GPS coordinates: 54.95790,-1.63345

Latest update: December 14, 2025 15:00