What to do and see in South Shields, England: The Best Free Things to do

May 14, 2022 Enedina Augsburger

South Shields is a coastal town at the mouth of the River Tyne, England, about 4.84 miles (7.79 km) downstream from Newcastle upon Tyne. Historically in County Durham, the town has a population of 75,337, the third largest in Tyneside after Newcastle and Gateshead. It is part of the metropolitan borough of South Tyneside which includes the towns of Jarrow and Hebburn. South Shields is represented in Parliament by Labour MP Emma Lewell-Buck.
Restaurants in South Shields

1. Arbeia, South Shields Roman Fort

Baring Street, South Shields NE33 2BB England +44 191 277 1410 [email protected] http://www.arbeiaromanfort.org.uk
Excellent
54%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 384 reviews

Arbeia, South Shields Roman Fort

Whilst we are closed you can enjoy exhibition and collections content and activities on our website and social media or by joining our mailing list at mustseemuseums.org.uk.

Reviewed By 335kimberleyp - Grimsby, United Kingdom

This was the fort that supplied hadrians wall for the Romans’ , reconstructed buildings and friendly willing helpful staff made this a gem of a place to visit , little known to ordinary folk it was a lovely treat to find this , lucky we got to see it as they shut at the end of sept till next season , we’ll worth a visit for anyone interested in the Roman history of the region .

2. South and North Marine Parks

Sea Road, South Shields NE33 2LD England +44 191 424 7788 [email protected] https://www.southtyneside.gov.uk/article/34417/South-Marine-Park
Excellent
63%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 511 reviews

South and North Marine Parks

Reviewed By joewx123 - South Shields, United Kingdom

Beautiful park in the summer right on the coast with a boating lake and miniature steam railway also children's play area and restaurant

3. Marsden Beach

143 Marsden Lane, South Shields NE34 7HN England
Excellent
61%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 205 reviews

Marsden Beach

Reviewed By BluesBoy69 - Stanley, United Kingdom

Wonderful walk along the cliff tops. Steps are steep, lift available if you use the restaurant. Rocky beach, climbing, rock pools, caves it’s a wonderful place to explore. Spend an hour wandering

4. The Steamboat

27 Mill Dam, South Shields NE33 1EQ England +44 191 454 0134
Excellent
79%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 116 reviews

The Steamboat

Reviewed By tazah1

The steamboat is a nice traditional pub and the staff are very friendly. There is a wide range of beers to choose from with a good price range. And Also many spirits to choose from.

5. Bents Park

Sea Road, South Shields NE33 2LD England http://www.southtyneside.gov.uk/article/8896/bents-park
Excellent
62%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
3%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 29 reviews

Bents Park

Reviewed By joewx123 - South Shields, United Kingdom

down on south shields foreshore its ideal in the summer for the many live shows that are provided for free, also they have many exhibitions such as food fairs and caravan shows

6. Sandhaven Beach

South Shields England
Excellent
72%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
2%
Terrible
5%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 43 reviews

Sandhaven Beach

Reviewed By bess131517

always so clean, love the dunes and how white the beach is, on a hot day it reminds me of being abroad

4 Ocean Road, South Shields NE33 2JA England +44 191 211 5599 [email protected] http://www.southshieldsmuseum.org.uk
Excellent
46%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
14%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 217 reviews

South Shields Museum & Art Gallery

South Shields Museum & Art Gallery will remain closed until further notice, following the announcement that our region remains in Coronavirus Tier 3. Whilst we're closed you can enjoy exhibition and collections content and fun family activities on our website and social media or by joining our mailing list at mustseemuseums.org.uk.

Reviewed By KatharineMScott - Surbiton, United Kingdom

Lovely little museum of local history ... lovely to see local art work too ... This museum also has a very quaint cafe with amazing rubarb cake !

8. The Dolly Peel

137 Commercial Road, South Shields NE33 1SQ England +44 7518 376694 [email protected] https://www.facebook.com/TheDollyPeel/
Excellent
62%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
23%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 13 reviews

The Dolly Peel

Cosy Traditional Ale House, Comfy Seats In Our Snug Area, Polite Conversation And Happy Helpful Staff. We Serve Real Ales As Well As A Large Array Of Lagers, Wines , Spirits, Ciders, Soft Drinks And If You Require Something Warm Try Our Hot Totty, Tea Or Selection Of Coffees. We Have Also Introduced A Large Selection Of Non Alcoholic Drinks For The Drivers.

9. The Word, National Centre for the Written Word

45 Market Place, South Shields NE33 1JF England +44 191 427 1818 [email protected] http://theworduk.org
Excellent
53%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
5%
Terrible
8%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 121 reviews

The Word, National Centre for the Written Word

The Word, National Centre for the Written Word is South Tyneside's state-of-the-art cultural venue which has a lot to offer! The building is brimming with exciting new experiences, activities and facilities for people of all ages to engage and enjoy. From the Digital Media Wall, to the FabLab - there is also an impressive, immersive storytelling experience in StoryWorld which hosts regular events over school holidays as well as interactive touch-tables, telescopes, Kids' Activity Area, Creative Play Area and a Gaming Zone. There is also a Shop/Visitor Information Centre and a Café. The building is home to 70,000 books as well as OpenZone, who provide digital learning and ICT to schools during term time. At its core The Word celebrates the written word in all its forms through a rolling programme of events, exhibitions and workshops and it also aims to become a home for north-east writers.

Reviewed By mukhasben - South Shields, United Kingdom

The word was built to replace a non descript library and has done it in style. On three floors, it’s far from just a place to read books. It is smart and clean, has a cafe, shop, places for exhibitions, (currently an all age friendly Monster show), groups meet there and there’s activities throughout the year. Our visit today was to see a friends first screening of a book he’d written turned into a film. It took place in the third floor Round room on the 3rd floor, lifts are available. It was ideal for this showing with a large screen and two wall mounted large TVs. The Word is worth a visit for a number of reasons.

10. The Marsden Grotto

Coast Road, South Shields NE34 7BS England +44 191 455 6060 http://www.marsden-grotto.co.uk/
Excellent
40%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
12%
Terrible
14%
Overall Ratings

3.5 based on 236 reviews

The Marsden Grotto

Reviewed By yesses - South Shields, United Kingdom

The marsden grotto is well worth a visit, the hotel/ pub/ restaurant is quite unique as it is set into the cliffside, on a beautiful sandy beach, entrance via lift step step our along the beach. Situated next to a bird sanctuary with views of the north sea

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