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Free things to do in South Shields

• The beaches: Sandhaven, Littlehaven and Marsden. (Visit South Tyneside (council): Visiting our beaches; checked 3 Nov 2026) Dog rules: Beaches & dog rules.
• The Leas: two miles of clifftop paths from the World War II gun at Trow Rocks towards Marsden Bay and Souter, with green space for walking, kite flying and dog walking. (Visit South Tyneside: The Leas; checked 4 Nov 2026)
• South Marine Park: free to get in, with play areas, the boating lake and the bandstand. The railway and pedalos cost extra. (Visit South Tyneside: South Marine Park; checked 4 Nov 2026)
• North Marine Park: themed play area, fitness trail and a viewing platform over the river mouth. Open at all times. (Visit South Tyneside: North Marine Park; checked 4 Nov 2026)
• Bents Park: open grassland for picnics and games. (South Tyneside Council: Bents Park; checked 4 Nov 2026)
• South Shields Museum & Art Gallery: free entry. (North East Museums: Visit South Shields Museum & Art Gallery; checked 3 Nov 2026)
• The Word: library, exhibitions and the visitor information centre. (The Word, National Centre for the Written Word: opening times; checked 3 Nov 2026)
• Free family entertainment at South Shields Market on Saturdays until spring 2027. (South Tyneside Council: Free family fun comes to South Shields Market; checked 3 Nov 2026)
• Rock pooling at Littlehaven at low tide. (Visit South Tyneside: Family fun; checked 4 Nov 2026) Check tides first: Tides & sea safety.
• Marsden Rock from the clifftop. Beach access is reduced while the steps are replaced. (South Tyneside Council, 21 Oct 2026: Major work to replace Marsden steps; checked 3 Nov 2026) See Marsden.
• Arbeia Roman Fort is normally free, but closed until spring 2027. (North East Museums: Visit Arbeia; checked 3 Nov 2026)

More: Family days out, What's on this week.

Sources for this page

1. Visit South Tyneside (council): Visiting our beaches, checked 3 Nov 2026
2. Visit South Tyneside: The Leas, checked 4 Nov 2026
3. Visit South Tyneside: South Marine Park, checked 4 Nov 2026
4. Visit South Tyneside: North Marine Park, checked 4 Nov 2026
5. South Tyneside Council: Bents Park, checked 4 Nov 2026
6. North East Museums: Visit South Shields Museum & Art Gallery, checked 3 Nov 2026
7. The Word, National Centre for the Written Word: opening times, checked 3 Nov 2026
8. South Tyneside Council: Free family fun comes to South Shields Market, checked 3 Nov 2026
9. Visit South Tyneside: Family fun, checked 4 Nov 2026
10. South Tyneside Council, 21 Oct 2026: Major work to replace Marsden steps, checked 3 Nov 2026
11. North East Museums: Visit Arbeia, checked 3 Nov 2026