Roker - Park & Promenade

Navigating The Route

This is a circular Spy Mission around Roker Park & Promenade, with Agents stopping Dr Mak Hehm, who has secretly turned the lighthouse at the end of Roker Pier into a ballistic rocket, by following the clues around Roker to crack the code and save the day.

The operation covers approximately 2 miles and should take around 2.5 hours to complete. You'll start by the beach at Marine Walk car park, next to the RNLI shop at the bottom of the bank descending from the main road, then track the intel through streets, green spaces, Roker Park and along the seafront before finishing back by the beach.

This Trail is not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs. Expect mostly good paths, with twists and turns through streets, green spaces and along the seafront, plus a bank to ascend and descend.

Agents should cross roads with care, including one main road and two minor roads. Take great care near the drop into the water by the Yacht Club area, where the ground can be very slippery and fishing gear may be present. Use the traffic island and only cross by Harbour View when safe.

Getting There

By car: Start the mission at Marine Walk car park, next to the RNLI shop at the bottom of the bank descending from the main road (SR6 0PL). The recommended parking is Marine Walk car park (SR6 0RH). Park here and then go to the RNLI shop, which is part of the building, to start.

By public transport: Make your way to Marine Walk car park, next to the RNLI shop at the bottom of the bank descending from the main road, to begin the operation. The route starts and finishes by the beach.

Need the Loo?

Useful comfort-stop intel: toilets are available near Clue 01, near Clue 20 and in Roker Park.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

Four-legged Agents are welcome to join the mission 🐾

The route includes streets, green spaces, seafront paths, road crossings and areas close to the water, so keep canine recruits close around traffic and take particular care near the Yacht Club area where the ground can be very slippery and fishing gear may be present.

Food & Drink Stops

Code-cracking crews can stop for refreshments or stock up on supplies after Clue 16. If you'd rather bring your own provisions, pack a picnic to enjoy between Clues 01-08 or at Clue 13.

Want to Make a Day of It?

Roker Park

The mission weaves into Roker Park, passing the tennis courts and boating lake before reaching a monument that celebrates the opening of the park. The bowling greens here were the very first in the country to be open to the general public, making them available to the working class.

Roker Pier

Roker Pier is a proper seafront showpiece and a key part of Dr Mak Hehm's suspicious scheme. It protects the river mouth from heavy seas, and its pink granite blocks, weighing 45 tons, were lifted into place by a moving crane. The Old North Pier is built over 220 years ago too, giving Agents plenty of coastal engineering drama to inspect once the code is cracked.

Saint Andrew's Church

Saint Andrew's Church brings a different kind of intelligence-gathering to the route. Its design was influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement and has many features of that era. Several leading designers of a century ago contributed work to the building, with one example just through the gate on the church wall.

Marine Activities Centre

Keep an eye on the low wall around the Marine Activities Centre, where you'll find information about the D.E.M.S. Association. It's a small but interesting extra detail for Agents who like their seaside operations with a little local history attached.