North Shields

North Shields is a riverside town on the northern shore of the River Tyne in northeast England, spreading over several kilometers along the water. The built-up area mixes hillside residential streets with waterfront facilities and landing stages where fishing vessels still moor.

In 1225 the Prior of Tynemouth founded a fishing settlement here to exploit the shelter offered by the estuary. Shipbuilding and seafaring trade brought growth over the following centuries, shaping the layout of the waterfront.

The name derives from the fishermen's huts that once lined the waterfront, offering shelter to workers returning from the sea. Today the quayside remains a working harbor where fishing boats unload their catch each morning and locals gather at harborside pubs.

The Metro runs several times an hour to Newcastle and surrounding districts, while the ferry crosses regularly to the south shore throughout the day. From the station you can reach the quayside and waterfront eateries on foot within a few minutes.

Two navigation beacons built in the early 18th century helped ships find the hazardous river mouth by aligning both lights one above the other. The lighthouses still stand on the hills above the water, reminding visitors of a time when sailors navigated these waters without electronics.