North Tyneside Snowman and The Snowdog Trail

Flying into North Tyneside, the Snowman and the Snowdog trail is here until the end of January. Get some exercise and try and find them all!

If you are fed up with staying indoors, why not get some fresh air and exercise by taking part in the North Tyneside Snowman and Snowdog trail? Bringing some festive cheer into the region, you can find 20 Christmas themed snowmen and snowdogs statues around North Tyneside. The sculpture designs are on the theme of the 12 Days of Christmas, perfect for this time of year.

These trails are always popular, you may remember the previous Great North Snowdogs trail or the more recent Elmer’s Great North Parade. The trail is free to take part in and is already bringing joy to the children of the area. Just watch their faces light up as their photos are taken with the different statues.

Discovering The Snowman and The Snowdog trail, North Tyneside

Everyone is familiar with The Snowman and The Snowdog animated film, which is the sequel to Raymond Briggs film The Snowman. In the story, a young boy builds a snowman and creates a Snowdog with the leftover snow. At midnight both creations come to life and they have some adventures. On this trail, you can discover twelve snowmen, one for each of the twelve days of Christmas and eight unique snowdogs.

How do I find the statues?

You might be thinking that finding the snowman and snowdog statues could be difficult, but North Tyneside have made it easy. There are two ways you can find out where the statues are:

• A downloadable and printable map
• Using the official North Tyneside Snowman and Snowdog App

Print the map

I personally like to have a map, it is a nice keepsake for when the trail finishes. You can pick up a printed map from Whitley Bay, North Shields and Wallsend Customer First Centres, White Swan Centre at Killingworth, Oxford Centre at Longbenton and the John Willie Sams Centre at Dudley. There are limited supplies available.

Fortunately you can download and print your own snowman and snowdog trail map. This gives a description of all the statues and a map showing where they are.

Download the app

The Snowman and Snowdog trail is helping to raise money for St Oswald’s Hospice. To help with this you can download the North Tyneside Snowman and Snowdog app from the Play Store or from Itunes. It cost 99p which helps the charity.

The app is really useful in helping you find the snowmen and snowdogs. There is a map showing where they all are. Pressing on the aeroplane takes you to the area you want to visit.

All the snowmen and snowdogs are shown in an easy to see display with an indication of how far they are away from you. If you have found one it shows a little present in the corner.

You can click on each of the statues individually to find out more information about each one. It also gives you directions to each of them using google maps. This is really useful as some can be hard to find. When you have seen the statue you can click to say you have seen it and it is added to my finds. This is a handy way to track how many you have left to find.

Get the app

• On the Google Play Store – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uk.co.nebulalabs.SnowdogsNTC.Snowdogs&gl=GB
• On the iTunes – https://apps.apple.com/tt/app/the-snowman-the-snowdog-nt/id1535540575?ign-mpt=uo%3D2

Remember to stay safe!

When you are on the trail of the snowmen and snowdogs, don’t forget we are in the middle of a global pandemic. Remember to respect social distancing and be careful not to touch the statues. Most of the statues are outside, but a few are indoors. Don’t forget your facemasks and hand sanitizer!

North Tyneside has a large number of cycle tracks so why not get on your bike to discover the statues and get fit at the same time.

Support St Oswald’s and local businesses

Local businesses have been having a hard time of it recently so while you are on the trail why not support them. Buying a cup of coffee or some food all helps out. Support St Oswald’s by downloadin the app.

If you find the Partridge in the Pear Tree snowman outside Spanish City, have a look in For the Love of the North. They are selling limited edition prints and Christmas cards which are based on local artist Lisa Kirkbride’s design on this snowman. 25% of all sales goes to St Oswald’s. You can also buy the designs online.

As an extra special treat, For the Love of the North at Spanish City will be selling limited edition prints and Christmas cards based on local artist Lisa Kirkbride Design’s Partridge in a Pear Tree. You can find this Snowman™ just outside of their store on Spanish City Plaza and 25% of sales will be donated to St Oswald’s. You can also buy Snowdog figurines in-store or online.

Discovering the Snowmen and Snowdogs

These are all the snowmen and snowdogs that you can find on the trail. Don’t forget to take a photo and share online with #SnowmanandSnowdogNT. I will be adding updates as I find more snowmen and snowdogs on the trail.

Whitley Bay and Tynemouth

Tynemouth

Three French Hens

You will find this snowman beside Tynemouth Priory, which is well worth a visit. Don’t forget that if you want to pop into the Priory you need to book in advance.

Whitley Bay

A Partridge in a Pear Tree

Are you singing yet? This cheerful chap can be found outside the iconic white dome of Spanish City at Whitley Bay. Why not take a stroll along the promenade and enjoy the sea views while you are here.

Starry Night

Take a stroll into Whitley Bay town centre to discover the other snowmen and snowdogs. You will find Starry Night between Hound Dog Music and Sea Palace. He is well named, with silver stars on a dark blue background.

Eight Maids a Milking

This snowman is on the junction of Norham Road and Park View. It looks like the maids are dropping a lot of the milk whilst skating around.

Ginger

You will find Ginger on Whitley Road. This gorgeous gingerbread snowdog looks good enough to eat. He has a big smile on his face, welcoming visitors.

Eleven Pipers Piping

Eleven Pipers Piping is at Park View Shopping Centre. I suspect he may be inside as I didn’t spot him as I wandered around on my hunt for snowdogs and snowmen.

Roodle

You will find the gorgeous fluffy Roodle inside Whitley Bay Metro station. He looks like he is going to come to life any second and bounce up and lick your face. I suspect he is a real bundle of fun.

North Shields

There are quite a few snowmen and snowdogs scattered around North Shields.

Rosy Posy

Those of you who took part in the Great North Snowdogs trail in 2016 may well remember the original Rosy Posy. This time she has been given a festive twist with camellia, poinsettia and cyclamen flowers. You will find this pretty snowdog on North Shields Fish Quay, overlooking the river.

There are quite a few snowmen and snowdogs hidden around North Shields town centre. They are all near the metro station, it is just a short walk along Bedford Street to find three of them.

Five Gold Rings

You will find this festive snowman at the top of Bedford Street. He does look a little cold.

Ten Lords a Leaping

This snowman is right outside the entrance to Bedford Shopping Centre. The Lords look like they are having a great time!

Nine Ladies Dancing

I have yet to find this snowman, I think it is inside the shopping centre.

Elf

You will find Elf on Saville Street, at the bottom of Bedford Street. What a wonderful helper for Santa this year.

Two Turtle Doves

This stunning snowman is in the centre of Royal Quays. You need to follow the one way system around the shopping outlet to find him. He is near the middle.

Wallsend

There are quite a few snowmen and snowdogs hidden around Wallsend. Most of them are around the Forum shopping centre.

Classic

This is the original snowdog. He is at the bandstand outside the Forum.

Seven Swans a Swimming

This snowman is inside the Forum shopping centre.

Four Calling Birds

You will also find this snowman inside the Forum shopping centre. Don’t forget to follow the one way system and wear a facemask.

Twelve Drummers Drumming

The final snowman in the twelve days of Christmas song, Twelve Drummers Drumming is outside Aldi. Easy to get to if you have been in the Forum, just exit to the car park.

In case you are wondering where the drummers are, they are actually on this snowman’s back. I couldn’t get in to take a photograph due to the Christmas trees.

Ru-Dog

This snowdog is outside Llloyds Bank on High Street East. What a cheerful chap he is, loving his jumper.

Bark The Herald Angels Sing

What a fabulous name for this snowdog. You will find this guy at Asda, near Segedunum Roman Fort in Wallsend. The fort is temporarily closed due to lockdown but you can still view the exhibitions online.

Killingworth

Six Geese a Laying

This snowman can be found inside the Killingworth Centre.

I am loving the North Tyneside Snowman and Snowdog trail and am looking forward to finding the rest. Have you been on the trail yet? Let me know below.