VisitSouth Shields
The red-topped lighthouse at the end of South Shields pier, with the Tynemouth pier lighthouse across the river mouth

Independent local guide

Visit South Shields

Plain, checked information for a day at the coast: where to park, how to get here, beach and dog rules, and what's on this week.

ParkingMetro & ferryFamiliesDog friendlyThis weekPantos & eventsTides

Photo: Chris Morgan, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

This winter: check before you go

Before you go

Sand dunes lit by low sun at Sandhaven Beach
Parking guideEvery seafront car park, prices, PayByPhone codes

Photo: David Rogers, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The glass front of South Shields Metro station
Getting here & transportMetro, ferry, buses and trains

Photo: David Kemp, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Shields Ferry boats moored at the South Shields terminal on the River Tyne
The Shields FerryCrossing to North Shields: times and tips

Photo: Ultra7, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Wide, empty sandy beach at Sandhaven under a blue sky
Beaches & dog rulesWhich beach, when dogs are allowed, toilets

Photo: Stephen McKay, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The red Herd Groyne lighthouse on its stilts on the beach
Tides & sea safetyTide times, Marsden access, staying safe

Photo: Chabe01, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Waves breaking on Herd Sand beach
LifeguardsRNLI patrol dates and flags

Photo: Chabe01, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

What's on

The Customs House arts centre on Mill Dam by the river
What's on this week4 to 8 November 2026, plus coming up

Photo: Vincent van Zeijst, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The open-air amphitheatre on the South Shields seafront
Events & live showsPantos, Christmas, festivals, gigs and sport, month by month

Photo: Graham Robson, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Red Arrows smoke trails over the South Shields seafront after the Great North Run
Great North Run spectator guideSunday 12 September 2027

Photo: Bill Boaden, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Families, dogs & access

A miniature steam locomotive on the Lakeshore Railroad in South Marine Park
Family days outParks, the steam railway, rock pools, soft play

Photo: Chris Morgan, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Open clifftop grassland on The Leas, with a path running towards the sea
Dog-friendly pubs, cafés & walks10 places that say dogs are welcome, with sources

Photo: Robert Graham, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The sandy bay and low cliffs at Trow Point
Free things to doMuseum, The Word, parks, beaches, The Leas

Photo: Chabe01, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The boating lake in South Marine Park, with a flat path running round it
Accessible South ShieldsBeach wheelchairs, Blue Badge, Changing Places

Photo: Graham Robson, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Things to see

Ocean Beach Pleasure Park on the seafront
Things to doThe main sights, with winter opening flagged

Photo: Graham Robson, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Marsden Rock standing in the sea off the cliffs
Marsden Bay, Grotto & RockSteps closed until spring 2027

Photo: Chris Morgan, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Red-and-white striped Souter Lighthouse and its cottages
Souter LighthouseClosed Nov–Dec 2026; café weekends

Photo: Glenn Scott at English Wikipedia, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Reconstructed buildings and excavated foundations at Arbeia Roman Fort
Arbeia Roman FortClosed until spring 2027; 12 Dec candlelit tours sold out

Photo: Agnete, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The front of South Shields Museum and Art Gallery on Ocean Road
Rainy-day ideasIndoor options with opening hours

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Food & drink

Looking west down Ocean Road, lined with shops and restaurants
Food & drinkA plain list: address, hours, source

Photo: Robert Graham, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Marsden Bay seen from the cliff path to the south
Food with a viewPlaces on the seafront or the cliffs

Photo: Robert Graham, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

News

Platform at South Shields Metro station with the station name sign
Remembrance week travel: free buses for the Armed Forces, and Metro changes on SundayWed 4 Nov 2026

Photo: Nigel Thompson, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Old Town Hall in South Shields Market Place
Free festive entertainment in the Market Square, and the Christmas markets so farWed 4 Nov 2026

Photo: Hassocks5489, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Marsden Grotto at the foot of the cliffs
Work to replace the Marsden steps starts this monthWed 21 Oct 2026

Photo: Graham Robson, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Dunes and a sandy path down to Herd Sand beach
Derelict Water's Edge pub at Trow Lea to become four homesTue 20 Oct 2026 (decision)

Photo: Chabe01, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The north end of the beach near Littlehaven, with the river mouth beyond
Littlehaven water quality: public drop-in on 12 NovemberSat 31 Oct 2026

Photo: Chabe01, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

South Shields Town Hall and its clock tower lit at dusk
Remembrance Sunday in South Shields: times and road closuresTue 3 Nov 2026

Photo: LarryTango, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Reconstructed Roman buildings at Arbeia beside the grassy fort ditch
Arbeia's candlelit tours return while the fort is shut for winterFri 30 Oct 2026

Photo: Agnete, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

South Shields pier lighthouse at the end of the long stone pier
All newsEvery update, newest first

Photo: Colin Park, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Quick facts

Sources for this page

  1. Arbeia, South Shields Roman Fort (North East Museums), checked 3 Nov 2026
  2. National Trust: Souter Lighthouse and The Leas, checked 3 Nov 2026
  3. South Tyneside Council, 21 Oct 2026: Major work to replace Marsden steps, checked 3 Nov 2026
  4. South Tyneside Council: Remembrance services, checked 3 Nov 2026
  5. RNLI: Sandhaven (Centre) Beach, checked 3 Nov 2026
  6. South Tyneside Council: Pierhead car park, checked 3 Nov 2026
  7. South Tyneside Council: The Dragon, Bents Park car park, checked 3 Nov 2026
  8. Travel North East (Nexus): South Shields Metro station, checked 3 Nov 2026
  9. Travel North East (Nexus): Shields Ferry timetable, checked 3 Nov 2026
  10. South Tyneside Council: Dogs on the beach, checked 3 Nov 2026
  11. Visit South Tyneside (council): Visiting our beaches, checked 3 Nov 2026
  12. Great Run Company: AJ Bell Great North Run, checked 3 Nov 2026