Catherine Cookson

Catherine Cookson was born Katie McMullen in 1906 and didn't start writing until she was in her forties - but she went on to write over 90 books before she died in her nineties. She was raised on the cobbled terraces on the banks of River Tyne, which formed the backdrop for so many of her stories. Her novels are set in the mines, shipyards, farms and surrounding countryside and depict the love, sorrow, hardship and triumph over tragedy of the people of the north east against the backdrop of life in the 19th century and onwards. Although her novels vividly describe life in the north-east of England, she did in fact, move away from the area to live in Hastings on the south coast when she was 22 years old, only returning to the area in her seventies. 

South Tyneside is very much 'Catherine Cookson Country' and there is a well established trail taking in the sights and scenes from her life and novels. The trail includes the historic and picturesque Westoe Village, a little oasis in the heart of South Shields. Many of her books were set here, namely Katie Mulholland, Kate Hannigan and Harrogate Street. St Peter and St Pauls' is where Catherine Cookson worshipped as a young girl and the area is featured in her novel Rooney. 

The last stage of the Coast to Coast Cycle Route passes to the north of the area ending at Newcastle upon Tyne. The Hadrian's Wall Path National Trail follow the River Tyne out of Newcastle upon Tyne to the surrounding countryside.