Cullercoats Methodist Church Community Art Group

LIFE'S ADVENTURE


Tynemouth Art Installation - Life’s Adventure - August 2025

The Sustrans artwork near Tynemouth is 'Life's Adventure', a large steel sculpture by Ray Lonsdale located on the clifftops overlooking Tynemouth seafront. The sculpture features a giant park bench with local scenes and a vintage bicycle, marking the start and end point of the Sea to Sea (C2C) cycle route and celebrating Tynemouth's role in several national and European cycle paths.

The work was commissioned by Destination North East England, North East Combined Authority, North Tyneside Council, Newcastle Gateshead Initiative and Visit Northumberland.

It was funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. Ray Lonsdale is a celebrated sculptor from the North East of England, known for powerful steel installations that blend emotion, storytelling, and history. His works include The Herring Girl and Fiddler’s Green in North Shields. The 'Big Fella' in Silloth and the iconic Tommy statue in Seaham.

Inspired by the community 'Life's Adventure' was shaped by the ideas and creativity of the local community. As part of the community engagement work, members of Cullercoats Methodist Church Community Art Group came up with designs celebrating the area’s heritage, for the back panel of the bench. Local writing group the Linskill Scribblers inspired a poem for the back panel of the sculpture.

North East Mayor Kim McGuinness said: "I love that this sculpture was created by local artist, Ray Lonsdale, showcasing our region's creative talents, and that local communities helped shape the design which celebrates Tynemouth's cycling heritage where iconic routes intersect."

Destination North East England hopes the sculpture will help to inspire more people to saddle up and explore the region on wheels or on foot.

Laura Freer, Assistant Director of Visitor Economy at Newcastle Gateshead Initiative, the lead body for Destination North East England, said: "It’s fantastic to see this striking new sculpture come to life, shaped by the local community and symbolising our commitment to active travel."

Here are some photos of the large steel sculpure in it's place for people to enjoy: