Locals go mad as Whitley Bay given WRONG name in Telegraph article

The town was once known as Whitley, but that was long, long ago
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

A storm was brewing on Tyneside over the weekend, and it wasn't just Storm Malik.

A number of Whitley Bay residents were whipped into a frenzy by an article in The Telegraph which made a little slip up when naming the town.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The organisation published an article naming 'Britain's most upmarket seaside towns (that don't get depressing in winter)'.

The Telegraph praised Whitley Bay as it "has something for everyone and the Tyne Metro runs into Newcastle city centre in 30 minutes" and recorded its average house price at £284,443.

However, the site made the error of referring to Whitley Bay as just 'Whitley', which sparked comments online.

One Twitter user wrote: "Note to self - don't take housing advice from those who can't even get the name right of the place they're talking about..."

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Another said: "Whitley?! which decade is this the 1890s? aware it is the Telegraph and there is a possibility it is still the 1890s mind."

One other person commented: "Haaaa it’s not even called Whitley. Also please do not come here."

Similar comments came flooding in online with another user saying, "There is no such thing as Whitley, Tyne & Wear" and one saying the only people they had heard refer to Whitley Bay like that were two comic rappers online.

Others didn't fail to point out that the Tyne Metro should, in fact, also be the Tyne and Wear Metro.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Whitley Bay was first known as Whitley when it was first mentioned around 1100 when King Henry I spoke of the Priory of Tynemouth.

It was in January 1944 that Whitley became Whitley Bay.

The town has been so-called ever since and currently has a population of around 36,623.

Whitley Bay is known for its gorgeous coastline, tasty fish & chips and St Mary's Lighthouse.