South Shields: The Complete Guide
South Shields is a coastal town and a seaside resort at the mouth of the River Tyne, downstream from Newcastle upon Tyne in north east England.
Visiting South Shields for the first time and wondering what are the top places to see in the city? In this complete guide, I share the best things to do in South Shields on the first visit. Top help you plan your trip, I have also included an interactive map and practical tips for visiting!
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History of South Shields
Stone Age arrow heads and an Iron Age round house have been discovered on the site of Arbeia Roman Fort. The Roman garrison built a fort here around AD 160 and expanded it around AD 208 to help supply their soldiers along Hadrian’s Wall as they campaigned north beyond the Antonine Wall.
There is evidence that the fort was used in the early post-Roman period as a British settlement and was the royal residence of King Osric of Deira.
The current town was founded in 1245 and developed as a fishing port.The name South Shields developed from the ‘Schele’ or ‘Shield’, which was a small dwelling used by fishermen.
In the 19th century, coal mining, alkaline production and glass making led to a boom in the town.
15 Best places to See in South Shields
This complete guide to South Shields not only tells you about the very best sights and tourist attractions for first-time visitors to the city but also provide insights into a few of our personal favorite things to do.
This is a practical guide to visiting the best places to see in South Shields and is filled with tips and info that should answer all your questions!
South Shields Museum and Art Gallery
| Website | Distance: 0.20km
Visiting South Shields Museum and Art Gallery
South and North Marine Parks
Location: South Marine Park 2 Bents Park Rd South Shields NE33 2NL United Kingdom | Hours: Park: 24 hours | Price: free | Website | Distance: 0.40km
Visiting South and North Marine Parks
Arbeia, South Shields Roman Fort
Location: Arbeia, South Shields Roman Fort Baring St South Shields NE33 2BB United Kingdom | Price: Free | Distance: 0.60km
Visiting Arbeia, South Shields Roman Fort
The Word, National Centre for the Written Word
Location: The Word 45 Market Place South Shields NE33 1JF | Website | Distance: 0.80km
Visiting The Word, National Centre for the Written Word
Shields Ferry
| Hours: Shields Ferry Managers Office Ferry Street South Shields NE33 1JR | Website | Distance: 0.80km
Visiting Shields Ferry
North East Maritime Trust
Location: Fisherman's Workshops 2/3 Wapping Street South Shields South Tyneside Tyne & Wear NE33 1LQ | Distance: 0.90km
Visiting North East Maritime Trust
The Customs House
Location: The Customs House Mill Dam South Shields NE33 1ES | Distance: 1.00km
Visiting The Customs House
Sandhaven Beach
Location: The Sundial, South Shields NE33 2LD, UK | Hours: 24 Hours | Price: Free | Distance: 1.00km
Visiting Sandhaven Beach
Tynemouth Castle and Priory
| Website | Distance: 2.10km
Visiting Tynemouth Castle and Priory
Frenchman’s Bay
Location: South Shields NE34 7TJ, UK | Hours: 24 Hours | Price: Free | Distance: 2.50km
Visiting Frenchman’s Bay
Jarrow Hall Anglo-Saxon Farm Village and Bede
Location: Church Bank, Jarrow, South Tyneside, NE32 3DY | Price: Adult £5.50, Children: £3.50 | Website | Distance: 3.60km
Visiting Jarrow Hall Anglo-Saxon Farm Village and Bede
Marsden Bay and Marsden Rock
Visiting Marsden Bay and Marsden Rock
Souter Lighthouse
Location: National Trust - Souter Lighthouse and The Leas Coast Rd Whitburn Sunderland SR6 7NH United Kingdom | Website | Distance: 5.10km
Visiting Souter Lighthouse
Washington Old Hall
Location: The Avenue, Washington, England, NE38 7LE, United Kingdom | Hours: 10:00 - 17:00 | Website | Distance: 12.20km
Visiting Washington Old Hall
Beamish
Location: Beamish, the Living Museum of the North Regional Resource Centre Beamish DH9 0RG United Kingdom | Hours: 10am-5pm Easter-Oct, 10am-4pm Nov-Easter, closed Mon & Fri Jan–mid-Feb, last admission 3pm | Price: Adult/Child £19/11 | Website | Distance: 19.70km
Visiting Beamish