Frenchman’s Bay

Frenchman’s Bay is a small bay between South Shields and Marsden Grotto, Tyne and Wear. It was once popular with smugglers and was named after a French ship that ran aground here in the 17th century.

Alongside the coast id the Leas, a large area of land owned and maintained by the National Trust, popular with dog walkers, joggers, kite flyers, horse riders and cyclists. It is the finishing line for the Great North Run, a half marathon that takes place every year in or around October. The Leas stretches for around 2 miles and goes as far as Souter Lighthouse.

The Frenchman’s Bay appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting South Shields!

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Nearby Attractions

• Marsden Bay and Marsden Rock (1.7) km
  Natural Phenomenon in South Shields
• Sandhaven Beach (1.8) km
  Beach in South Shields
• South and North Marine Parks (2.2) km
  Park in South Shields
• South Shields Museum and Art Gallery (2.7) km
  Gallery in South Shields
• Souter Lighthouse (2.7) km
  Lighthouse in South Shields
• Arbeia, South Shields Roman Fort (3.0) km
  Museum and Roman Site in South Shields
• The Word, National Centre for the Written Word (3.0) km
  Library in South Shields
• Shields Ferry (3.1) km
  Ferry in South Shields
• The Customs House (3.1) km
  Historic Building and Arts Venue in South Shields
• North East Maritime Trust (3.4) km
  in South Shields