If you’re looking for the best things to do in South Shields, get ready to be blown away by the remarkable coastal landscapes, historic attractions, and fun activities this corner of Northeast England offers!
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With a rich history dating back to the Stone Age and equally notable geology due to its distinctive coastline of Magnesium limestone cliffs, there’s a lot more to South Shields than may first meet the eye.
This post was put together with the help of a full-time South Shields local who, lucky for me, also doubles as one of my best mates. I had so much fun exploring her region while staying with her for a few weeks (what’s better than holidays with girlfriends?), and I will continue to update this post with her help.
I was truly blown away during my time here, and I hope this list of fabulous South Shields things to do inspires you to visit and helps you plan.
13 things to do in South Shields
1 Souter Lighthouse
Who else had no idea South Shields was home to the world’s first electric lighthouse?
Built in 1871, Souter Lighthouse is a South Shields must-see, and it’s easy to combine with a coastal walk to see the amazing rock formations (which I write about below) as well.
While it’s free to view from below (I mean, they couldn’t exactly hide it!), you can also pay to go inside and climb 76 steps to the top for excellent views. You can learn more about the history and mechanics of the lighthouse while exploring the Lighthouse Keeper Cottages and engine rooms, and get insider info from knowledgeable staff who always seem happy to spread their expertise!
There’s a lovely little cafe at the bottom. Vegan options (including plant milk and ‘cheese’) are available, and the staff are always super friendly.
Open seven days a week, 11 am to 5 pm.
Adults: £8.00. Kids: £4.00. Families: £20 (2A2C) or £12 (1A2C) or free to enter the cafe. Parking is Pay and Display at the Souter Lighthouse Car Park or free for National Trust members.
Address: Coast Rd, Sunderland SR6 7NH
2 Incredible rock formations
I still cannot get over the impressive Magnesian limestone rock formations in South Shields. The coastline is dominated by towering cliffs of abandoned quarries, limestone arches, hidden caves, and huge rocks looming out to sea before finally levelling into a white sandy beach.
From walking across the pebbly bay at The Wherry and looking out towards the Souter Hole to walking around the beach to see Marsden Rock, following the coastal path will treat you to so many extraordinary natural sculptures, artistically created (aka eroded) by our temperamental sea.
Seabirds seem to get what all the fuss is about, as many of them have made this unique landscape their home. Bird watchers can look out for fulmars, gulls, guillemots, cormorants and kittiwakes – together, the Marsden Bay seabirds make up the largest seabird colony in the Northeast.
To reach these incredible limestone formations, you can park at Souter Lighthouse Car Park.
3 Marsden Beach and Grotto
Marsden Beach is a gem with dramatic cliffs juxtaposed against a pretty stretch of white sand.
You won’t miss spotting Marsden Grotto while you’re at the beach, one of the most unique places to visit in South Shields. The pub-hotel was essentially built (well, blasted by dynamite) straight into the cliffside in the 1780s, initially for the purpose of housing miner Jack Bates and helping smugglers to hide contraband.
Step inside the Grotto for a drink in this peculiar but wonderfully memorable rock cave bar, accessed via a tall lift, added in the 50s.
From the outside, the venue reminded me of something you might read about in a children’s book (The Series of Unfortunate Events comes to mind!). Still, the interior is rather cosy, with a bar, restaurant and boutique hotel rooms.
Intrigued? You can book to stay inside this eccentric cave hotel. Check rates and availability at The Grotto here.
Address: Coast Rd, South Shields NE34 7BS
4 Sandhaven Beach
With such a gorgeous coastline, there are endless free things to do in South Shields, and a visit to Sandhaven Beach has to be one of the best. While the coastline is always dramatic, even as a rainy UK Winter destination, the beach really comes to life during the warm Summer months.
Besides relaxing on the sandy shore, there’s plenty to do, with watersports popular among locals here. If you fancy paddle boarding or surfing, you can hire equipment or take lessons with South Shields Surf School.
South Marine Park also runs adjacent to the beach, where you can enjoy the green spaces or take kids to the miniature steam railway* and pedalos. And don’t miss walking down South Shields Pier, which is almost a mile (1.6km) long!
Facilities include toilets, picnic tables, parking, and a cafe.
*If you prefer the real deal, the Stephenson Steam Railway is just a 15-minute drive from South Shields. You can ride the 2-mile industrial railway track in a 1950s carriage before discovering the region’s locomotive history in the interactive museum.
5 Arbeia Roman Fort
For an immersive experience stepping back into the Roman Empire, it’s well worth visiting the Arbeia South Shields Roman Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The fort once guarded the sea route towards Hadrian’s Wall and was a supply base for other military forts along the wall. As such, it holds a considerable amount of stories and history!
The attraction includes full-scale partially-reconstructed buildings from the Roman Empire, so it’s one of the best things to do in South Shields for families who want to give their kids a fun and hands-on way of exploring history.
Open seven days a week, hours vary—free entry (donations welcome).
Address: Baring St, South Shields NE33 2BB
6 South Shields Museum & Gallery
This charming local museum is one of the top places to go in South Shields, United Kingdom, if you’re interested in learning about the rich history and heritage of the region.
You’ll learn about South Tyneside’s industrial and maritime history, spanning back 4000 years through to today. There is also an onsite cafe, The Victorian Pantry, and an art gallery on the first floor.
Open Mondays to Saturdays, 10 am to 5 pm. (Closes at 4 pm on Saturday.) Free entry.
Address: 10 Ocean Rd, South Shields NE33 2JA
7 Jarrow Hall Anglo-Saxon Farm and Village
Jarrow Hall is undoubtedly one of the most fun things to do in South Tyneside!
The Anglo-Saxon village is an open-air, living history museum which you can walk around and get a taste of how it would have been to live during this period. You’ll also get to meet the animals’ inhabitants, too!
Something really cool about this South Shields attraction (at least in my opinion) is that the animals on site are rescued, and they raise donations to give them a restful and happy life.
Also on the site is the Bede Museum, which tells the story of Bede, an English monk who was also a writer, scholar, linguist, and astronomer. You can also walk around Jarrow Hall and the herb garden.
Various events are held at Jarrow Hall over the year, from history and combat re-enactments and drama performances, to craft workshops and fascinating lectures. They even do ghost hunts at night, so there really is something for everyone!
Open Thursdays to Sundays, 10 am to 4 pm.
Season pass ticket prices – Adults: £8.00. Kids: £5.00 (kids under four go free).
Address: Church Bank, Jarrow NE32 3DY
8 Ocean Beach Pleasure Park
The Ocean Beach Pleasure Park is undoubtedly one of the most famous things to do in South Shields for families.
The amusement park holds a huge variety of fairground rides, plus activities like arcade games and laser tag, for both little and older kids.
It’s free to enter, and you pay per ride via a ‘fun card’, which can be topped up throughout the park.
Usually open seven days a week; check opening times here.
Address: Sea Rd, South Shields NE33 2LD
9 South Shields Coastal Walks
Whether you walk from South Shields to Sunderland, meander around Marsden Bay, or take on a section of the footpath at Whitburn Coastal Park, there are so many coastal pathways to explore in South Shields.
Along the way, you’ll pass a superb range of exciting sights, from lighthouses to cliffside restaurants (see Marsden Grotto above) and historic lime kilns from the 1800s.
During your walk, you’ll also get a fascinating overview of the region’s Magnesium limestone geology, which has formed and eroded into many different shapes and sculptures.
Signs will warn you not to wander too close to the cliff’s edge, lest it crumbles beneath you and tumbles upon the pebbled bays and swirling waves below. The pretty wildflowers, peering through the overgrown grasses in their coats of yellow, purple, and white, contrast these dramatic cliffs and endless grey seas.
10 The Word
The Word, also known as the National Centre for the Written Word, is a cultural attraction that celebrates the written word.
Check the websites to see what events or exhibitions might be on during your stay, or visit to see their collection of 70,000 books!
For kids, take them to Storyworld, an interactive storytelling experience where they can lose themselves within the projections, sound effects and stories. Children can also create book covers on the Media Wall or use the Interactive touch tables to discover stories about South Tyneside’s heritage and history.
Open seven days a week, hours vary. Free admission.
Address: Market Pl, South Shields NE33 1JF
11 The Customs House
The Customs House is the go-to South Shields entertainment destination, with a programme featuring a theatre, cinema, and other visual arts productions.
Check to see what’s on during your visit here.
Address: Mill Dam, South Shields NE33 1ES
12 Chips from Colmans (yum!)
With large windows overlooking the ocean and an award-winning, this beachside restaurant is undoubtedly one of the top places to eat in South Shields.
If you don’t fancy a sit-down meal, head to their takeout booth (right below the restaurant) to take your chips to go and enjoy them on the beach.
A nice touch is that you can see where your seafood or potatoes have come from. For example, I don’t eat fish, but my chips were made from Agria potatoes from a local farm (I need to remember the name!) and were served in a biodegradable takeout container.
If chips ain’t your thing, there are also some great eateries on Ocean Road from cuisines around the world.
13. Discover more things to do near South Shields
Have more time to explore and looking for more destinations to visit near South Shields?
Aside from the obvious of Newcastle-Upon-Tyon and its many fab attractions, here are some other intriguing options that are just a short drive away:
- Tynemouth Priory and Castle – with 2000 years of history to explore (from the Iron Age to Anglo-Saxon times and the Second World War) in what was once one of England’s largest fortified areas, this is a must-see for history enthusiasts. The views from the headland are also superb.
- Saltwell Park – with a gothic mansion and expansive historic grounds, this award-winning park is well worth a look. As you explore the park’s pathways, you’ll find plenty of activities, including a maze, play areas, tennis courts, and a fab cafe at Saltwell Towers.
- Beamish Living History Museum – Discover the history of North East England at Beamish, an immersive, open-air attraction that allows guests to time travel from the 1820s to the 1950s.
South Shields FAQ:
Where to find vegan food in South Shields?
If you’re looking for places to eat in South Shields for vegans and vegetarians, then you’re in luck; both me and the two friends I stayed with (South Shields locals) are vegan and are happy to test out the best options!
Vegan/vegetarian restaurant: Check out SeaChange if you want vegan or vegetarian food in South Shields. The pet-friendly cafe offers wholesome veggie and vegan dishes. The venue also holds arts and crafts workshops and has live music on weekends.
Indian: There are a few Indian restaurants that serve vegan options, but Indian Brasserie, Zeera or Namaste Indian Restaurant make things easier as they have a separate vegan menu.
Pizza: Milan Takeaway also has a dedicated vegan menu, which includes vegan pizza and garlic bread.
Chinese takeout: Red Dragon Chinese Fusion has various clearly-marked vegan choices, including mock meats such as vegan chicken, cod, duck, etc., in all the classic flavours you might be craving.
The Lighthouse Cafe: With plant milk for hot drinks, some surprisingly yummy vegan treats like cookies and cakes, and savoury options, including plant-based ‘cheese’ sandwiches and pasties. Not all savoury options are marked vegan, so it’s best to check. (And bonus points to this option for being part of Souter Lighthouse – the top thing to do in South Shields on this list.)
Slightly further afield in Jarrow, you can find vegan ice cream at Minchella & Co (including dairy-free classics like knickerbocker glory), plus a wide range of vegan and vegetarian options at Hive Coffee Company.
Where did the nickname ‘Sand Dancers’ come from in South Shields?
Did you know that South Shield locals are known as Sand Dancers? (Well, according to some, at least, the term Geordie also encompasses South Tyneside.)
Historically, this coastline was notorious for shipwrecks, and some say the nickname comes from when local townspeople ran out to the beaches to help the ships who’d slipped upon the shore, their hands raised above their heads.
However, others propose that it comes from South Shields being a leading glassmaker or simply from when people worshipped and danced for the sea gods. No one can decide on the correct answer, but if you’ve heard any other theories, I’d love to hear them.
How long is the pier at South Shields?
The South Pier is 5170 feet long – almost one mile (or 1.6km).
Is South Shields worth visiting?
Yes, South Shields is worth visiting for its dramatic cliffs, rock formations and sandy beaches, The Grotto (a pub in a cave), and its historical attractions, including Arbeia Roman Fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
With all that said, have a fantastic time visiting South Shields – I hope you found this post on the top things to do in South Shields helpful and will enjoy visiting this beautiful British gem as much as I did. It was the first UK destination I visited after five years of living abroad in New Zealand and Australia, and really cemented how you don’t need to go far to find gorgeous destinations here!
