Lookout Tower Percy Gardens
Military Tynemouth Tyne And Wear

Lookout Tower Percy Gardens

Military In Tynemouth, Tyne And Wear

A six storey lookout tower used to assist gun turrets in both World War 1 and 2.

Heading along the coastal road near Tynemouth lives an unusual white tower block on Percy Gardens. It's not directly on the sea front, so easy to miss, but this was a former lookout post for World War 1 and 2.

Following naval attacks on Scarborough and Hartlepool, in addition to German Zeppelin attacks on Tyneside, the north east coastal defence needed strengthening and two guns were installed at Seaton Sluice and Marsden in South Shields. However to accurately hit the target, you needed to be able to see your target and so this six storey lookout was erected at Tynemouth behind a house owned by the War Office. At the time it was the tallest of its kind and even had its own gun emplacement.

Although the planning for the tower was drawn up in 1916, it wasn't until after the war that the tower and turrets were actually completed. The guns were fired a single time and then retired, but the lookout tower was continued to be used throughout World War 2 most likely for the guns of Tynemouth Battery at Tynemouth Priory.

After the war, the tower was sold as a private residence and is now Grade II listed on the National Heritage List for England.

There is also a short podcast about the lookout tower on the BBC website.

  Add To Bucket List   I Have Visited This Place

Get 1 point if you have visited this place. Already visited by 72 VIPs.

Login to the VIP area to add places to your bucket list, mark them as visited and more importantly see where you rank on the league table.

How To Find Lookout Tower Percy Gardens

Where Is Lookout Tower Percy Gardens?

Show Place On Google Maps

Lat / Long

55.02214, -1.422428

What three words

mock.return.older

Where To Park For Lookout Tower Percy Gardens?

Show Parking On Google Maps

Lat / Long

55.02117, 55.02117

What three words

hype.ruins.bared

Plenty of parking along the sea front.

Contributed by Simon Hawkins

Thanks for checking out this place on the Fabulous North! I do enjoy a wander out in to the countryside trying to find hidden gems that not many people know about. You can't beat a rogue pele tower up a remote hill, a mysterious stone circle or a stunning waterfall secluded in a forest.

More Places from Simon
Simon Hawkins

More Places In Tynemouth

Find more fabulous places in Tynemouth, Tyne And Wear and if you know of a place we haven't listed, then let us know.

Northumberland Park
Northumberland Park
Landscape Tynemouth Tyne And Wear

A traditional Victorian Park packed with features sitting between Tynemouth and North Shields.

Queen Victoria Statue - Tynemouth
Queen Victoria Statue - Tynemouth
Statue Tynemouth Tyne And Wear

A statue of Queen Victoria by sculptor Alfred Turner in Tynemouth.

Tynemouth Watch House
Tynemouth Watch House
Building Tynemouth Tyne And Wear

A museum dedicated to the Volunteer Life Brigade at Tynemouth.

More Military

So this military wasn't enough and you want more? Don't worry we have you covered.

Percy Cross Otterburn Battlefield
Percy Cross Otterburn Battlefield
Military Otterburn Northumberland

A 14th century stone monument to the Battle of Otterburn in 1388

Cretehawser Wreck
Cretehawser Wreck
Military Sunderland Tyne And Wear

The wreck of concrete tug 'Cretehawser' which sits on the banks of the River Wear.

The Howitzer Gun
The Howitzer Gun
Military Seaham County Durham

A 5.5 inch Howitzer Gun to celebrate Seaham's links to the Royal Artillery and coastal defence during WWII.

Find Walks To Lookout Tower Percy Gardens

Find which walks will visit Lookout Tower Percy Gardens and plan your next adventure.

Blast Beach To Easington Pit Cage
Blast Beach To Easington Pit Cage
9km (6 miles) Seaham County Durham

This zig-zag walk takes you from Blast Beach at Noses Point Seaham to Easington Pit Cage, then back over Beacon Hill and through Hawthorn Dene. It goes down and up beaches, a viaduct, and a trig point.

Allensford Park
Allensford Park
6km (4 miles) Consett County Durham

Circular route starting from Allensford Park, walking along the River Derwent and through The Heaps Country Park, before heading through Balehill Wood.

Cunyan Crags, Langleeford Crags, Hedgehope And Great Standrop
Cunyan Crags, Langleeford Crags, Hedgehope And Great Standrop
24km (15 miles) Ingram Valley Northumberland

A hike from Ingram Valley up to Cunyan Crags and then round the back of Hedgehope Hill to the Langleeford crags, before scaling the hill and then on to the Great Standrop.

Walla Crag
Walla Crag
9km (6 miles) Keswick Cumbria

A nice gentle wander up to Walla Crag in Keswick with spectacular views over Derwent Water.

Wallington House And Gardens
Wallington House And Gardens
7km (4 miles) Morpeth Northumberland

A short circular walk around Wallington Hall and the gardens.

Walltown Quarry To Thirlwall Castle
Walltown Quarry To Thirlwall Castle
5km (3 miles) Brampton Cumbria

A picturesque circular route from Walltown Quarry Country Park, through stunning countryside to Thirlwall Castle and back.

Auchope Cairn And Cheviot Summit From Mounthooly
Auchope Cairn And Cheviot Summit From Mounthooly
15km (9 miles) The Cheviots Northumberland

Starting at Mounthooly, this walk takes us up onto the border ridge, along the top of the Hen Hole before hitting the Cheviot Summit.

Windy Gyle And The Cheviot From Cocklawfoot
Windy Gyle And The Cheviot From Cocklawfoot
23km (14 miles) The Cheviots Northumberland

A walk up to Windy Gyle, The Cheviot and Auchope Cairn from Cocklawfoot Farm.

Durham Riverside
Durham Riverside
6km (4 miles) Durham County Durham

A walk following both sides of the River Wear in Durham finding lots of gems including the Durham Cow and the Count's House.

Shaftoe Crags
Shaftoe Crags
8km (5 miles) Bolam Northumberland

A short wander around the spectacular Shaftoe Crags finding a Jubilee Stone, a standing stone and bagging a trig point.

Meggie's Burn And Blyth Coast
Meggie's Burn And Blyth Coast
6km (4 miles) Blyth Northumberland

A wander to Meggie's Burn in Blyth and then back along the coast and via the promenade.

Shepherd's Cairn Via Hartside Hill And Brough Law
Shepherd's Cairn Via Hartside Hill And Brough Law
25km (16 miles) Ingram Valley Northumberland

Finding the Shepherd's Cairn near Alnham by starting at Ingram and wandering over Hartside Hill, down towards Alnham and then back via Brough Law.

Cullercoats To North Shields
Cullercoats To North Shields
8km (5 miles) Cullercoats Tyne And Wear

A wander from Cullercoats to Tynemouth and North Shields and then back via the coastal route.

Yearning Law, Border Ridge To Windy Gyle
Yearning Law, Border Ridge To Windy Gyle
27km (17 miles) The Cheviots Northumberland

A wander up Yearning Law to find Yearning Hall, then along the border ridge to Windy Gyle, then back down via Ward Law.

4 Hillocks And A Ridge Walk Outside Durham
4 Hillocks And A Ridge Walk Outside Durham
7km (4 miles) Durham County Durham

A 7km easy walk covering Shincliffe Pinnock Hill, High Woods, Mountjoy, Maiden Castle, and Whinney Hill on the outskirts of Durham.

The Leas
The Leas
7km (4 miles) South Shields Tyne And Wear

A 4km stretch of limestone cliffs, grassland and rocky bays. You can visit Marsden Rock, Souter Lighthouse and Whitburn Point Local Nature Reserve on this wander.

Beadnell Bay To Low Newton
Beadnell Bay To Low Newton
13km (8 miles) Beadnell Northumberland

A circular walk from Beadnell to Low Newton and back. Fairly easy terrain with well marked paths. Perfect for those who enjoy birdwatching.

Old Durham and 6 Bridges
Old Durham and 6 Bridges
5km (3 miles) Durham County Durham

A walk along The River Wear and into Old Durham Gardens crossing over 6 bridges.

Stonehaugh Circular
Stonehaugh Circular
7km (4 miles) Stonehaugh Northumberland

Circular walk starting from Stonehaugh, passing by The Long Drop and ending with a wander through Wark Forest.

Helm Crag
Helm Crag
10km (6 miles) Grasmere Cumbria

A short and sweet walk up the stunning Helm Crag in Grasmere, Lake District.

Seaton Carew
Seaton Carew
7km (4 miles) Hartlepool County Durham

A wander around the seaside resort of Seaton Carew in the Borough of Hartlepool.

Cold Law, Great Moor, Coldburn Hill And Views Over Bizzle Crags
Cold Law, Great Moor, Coldburn Hill And Views Over Bizzle Crags
21km (13 miles) The Cheviots Northumberland

A wander in The Cheviots taking in Cold Law, a few crags then over to Coldburn Hill to get some mega views over Bizzle Crags.

Ben Nevis
Ben Nevis
16km (10 miles) Fort William Scotland

A brutal climb up Ben Nevis, the tallest mountain in the UK.

Darden Lough
Darden Lough
7km (4 miles) Elsdon Northumberland

A wander across the moors in Hepple to Darden Lough and the Darden Pike trig point.

Brough Law And Ingram Hillforts
Brough Law And Ingram Hillforts
14km (9 miles) Ingram Valley Northumberland

A wander around the hillforts in Ingram Valley including Brough Law.

Urban Artworks In Scarborough
Urban Artworks In Scarborough
6km (4 miles) Scarborough North Yorkshire

An urban walk with steel artwork, stone steps, a castle, a church a lighthouse and sea views.

Northumberland Coastal Challenge Walk
Northumberland Coastal Challenge Walk
42km (26 miles) Bamburgh Northumberland

A 42km (26 mile) marathon walk starting at Budle Bay and ending in Alnmouth, ran by Shepherds Walks.

Frosterley Circular
Frosterley Circular
8km (5 miles) Frosterley County Durham

Beautiful walk through the Weardale countryside, passing Bishopley Lime Kilns, the remains of Harehope Gill Lead Mine and some examples of Frosterley marble.

Yeavering Bell And Newton Tors
Yeavering Bell And Newton Tors
26km (16 miles) The Cheviots Northumberland

A wander up in the north Cheviots to Newton Tors, Yeavering Bell and Humbleton Hill including a wonderful encounter with the legendary wild goats of The Cheviots!

Corbridge to Aydon Castle
Corbridge to Aydon Castle
10km (6 miles) Corbridge Northumberland

Wander from Corbridge village to Aydon Castle via lime kilns and stunning countryside.

Dukesfield Arches and Devil's Water
Dukesfield Arches and Devil's Water
6km (4 miles) Hexham Northumberland

Lovely wander round the Northumberland countryside, with nods to its industrial past.

Crags Around Hedgehope Hill And Langleeford
Crags Around Hedgehope Hill And Langleeford
18km (11 miles) The Cheviots Northumberland

A wander to find all the crags near Langleeford including Housey Crags, Long Crags, Tathey Crags, Langlee Crags, Middleton Crags and Steel Crag.

Scale Force from Buttermere
Scale Force from Buttermere
7km (4 miles) Buttermere Cumbria

A walk to an impressive 51m waterfall on the south-western banks of Crummock Water.

Buttermere Loop
Buttermere Loop
7km (4 miles) Buttermere Cumbria

Fairly easy loop around Buttermere lake with stunning scenery all around the route.

Red Pike, High Stile, High Crag And Haystacks
Red Pike, High Stile, High Crag And Haystacks
23km (14 miles) Buttermere Cumbria

A 23km walk covering four Wainwright Fells, including Haystacks which was Wainwright's favourite.

Great Standrop, Cunyan Crags and Linhope Spout
Great Standrop, Cunyan Crags and Linhope Spout
18km (11 miles) Ingram Valley Northumberland

A wander up to the Great Standrop on Hedgehope Hill via Cunyan Crags and the smaller crags on Dunmoor Hill with a return visit to Linhope Spout.

Marsden Quarry Nature Reserve and Cleadon Hills
Marsden Quarry Nature Reserve and Cleadon Hills
5km (3 miles) South Shields Tyne And Wear

Stunning walk through Marsden Quarry up to Cleadon Hills via Cleadon Water Tower and Cleadon Mill. There's lots to see on this walk and plenty of interesting birds for any twitchers.

Tosson Hill
Tosson Hill
10km (6 miles) Rothbury Northumberland

A 10km wander up Tosson Hill to bag the trig point.

Bloodybush Edge, Hogdon Law And Weather Cairn
Bloodybush Edge, Hogdon Law And Weather Cairn
30km (19 miles) The Cheviots Northumberland

A 30km walk to bag some trig points and chunky hills including Bloodybush Edge, Cushat Law, Hogdon Law and Weather Cairn.

Yeavering Bell
Yeavering Bell
16km (10 miles) The Cheviots Northumberland

A circular walk starting at Wooler common taking you around Humbleton Hill and across to Yeavering Bell.

Whittle Dene Reservoir Circular
Whittle Dene Reservoir Circular
6km (4 miles) Ovingham Northumberland

A 6km walk around Whittle Dene Reservoirs with stunning views, lime kilns, a bird hide and a wander along the Hadrian's Wall Path.

Simonside and Fontburn Reservoir
Simonside and Fontburn Reservoir
15km (9 miles) Rothbury Northumberland

A 15km hike around the Simonside area visiting Fontburn Reservoir.

Alnwick Riverside And Railways
Alnwick Riverside And Railways
14km (9 miles) Alnwick Northumberland

A walk from Alnwick Castle following the river Aln and then back near the old railway.

Hawthorn Woods, Meadow, and Dene
Hawthorn Woods, Meadow, and Dene
4km (2 miles) Seaham County Durham

Delightful woods, meadows and coastal surprises with mini challenges. Situated near Seaham, County Durham.

Shill Moor And Little Dod
Shill Moor And Little Dod
14km (9 miles) Ingram Valley Northumberland

A wander up to Little Dod then up to the Shill Moor trig point before returning via the valley floor.

Hepburn Moor And Ros Castle
Hepburn Moor And Ros Castle
17km (11 miles) Chillingham Northumberland

A meander from Ros Castle down the west side of Hepburn Moor finding cairns, hillforts, pill boxes, crags and the Blawearie.

Warkworth To Alnmouth
Warkworth To Alnmouth
10km (6 miles) Warkworth Northumberland

A wander from Warkworth to Alnmouth up the coastal path and then a return via the beach visiting St Cuthbert's Cross and Mortuary Chapel on Church Hill.

Seaton Sluice And Holywell Dene
Seaton Sluice And Holywell Dene
9km (6 miles) Seaton Valley Northumberland

Circular walk starting from Seaton Sluice, following Holywell Dene to Holywell Pond then onto the waggonways, before returning via the Avenue.

Newburn To Wylam
Newburn To Wylam
11km (7 miles) Newburn Tyne And Wear

A walk along the River Tyne from Newburn to Wylam and then back on the other side.

Berwick Law
Berwick Law
1km (1 mile) East Lothian Borders

A short walk up to the top of Berwick Law in East Lothian.

Bewick Moor, Cateran Hole, Ros Castle And Blawearie
Bewick Moor, Cateran Hole, Ros Castle And Blawearie
20km (12 miles) Chillingham Northumberland

Starting from Eglingham, this route takes your over Bewick Moor to Cateran Hole, a trip up Ros Castle before a visit to the Hepburn Bastle. Then we're back on the moor to the Blawearie Shepherds Hut and some cairns.

Wannie Line
Wannie Line
12km (8 miles) Morpeth Northumberland

A wander on the route of the former Wansbeck or "Wannie Line" railway line that ran from Morpeth to Reedsmouth and Rothbury.

Clennell Street And Shillhope Law
Clennell Street And Shillhope Law
22km (14 miles) The Cheviots Northumberland

Heading up Clennel Street taking in Shillhope Law and bagging a trig point.

Windy Gyle
Windy Gyle
19km (12 miles) The Cheviots Northumberland

A loop taking in Windy Gyle, the border ridge and Murder Cleugh.

Dunmoor Hill And Cunyan Crags
Dunmoor Hill And Cunyan Crags
19km (12 miles) The Cheviots Northumberland

A lovely jaunt up Cunyan Crags then onto Dunmoor Hill in Ingram Valley including Reaveley Hill, a stone circle, Long Crag and Cat Crag.

Helvellyn Via Striding Edge
Helvellyn Via Striding Edge
16km (10 miles) Glenridding Cumbria

An autumnal ascent up Helvellyn via the precarious Striding Edge with Trekking Tom Experiences also taking in Red Tarn, Snake Path, Catstye Cam, Swirral Edge and Birkhouse Moor.

Cheviot and Hedgehope Hill
Cheviot and Hedgehope Hill
23km (14 miles) The Cheviots Northumberland

A wander in the Cheviots bagging seven hills over 500m including Cheviot Summit and Hedgehope Hill, Broadhope Hill, Preston Hill, Scald Hill, Cairn Hill and Comb Fell.

Upper Rothbury And Cartington Hill
Upper Rothbury And Cartington Hill
21km (13 miles) Rothbury Northumberland

A wander up on the crags above Rothbury, finding the Rothbury trenches then a trip up Cartington Hill and towards Cartington Castle.

Hen Hole And Cheviot Summit
Hen Hole And Cheviot Summit
23km (14 miles) The Cheviots Northumberland

An amazing walk sweeping around the back of The Cheviot before ascending up the spectacular Hen Hole and then back down via Scald Hill. Also traversing Cairn Hill, The Cheviot Summit and a visit to Auchope Cairn.

Never Miss A Fabulous Place

If you are afraid of missing out on all the fabulous places we post, or just want to be the first to know, then sign up to the Fabulous North.

Each week we will email you all the brand new places that we visit.

Sign Up To Alerts
Sign up to newsletter
Fabulous North On Facebook

Find Us On Facebook

We post all our new places daily on our Facebook Groups page, so join the group today and be notified when we add a new place.

Join Our Facebook Group

Lookout Tower Percy Gardens was listed in Military // Tyne And Wear // Tynemouth