South Tyneside

The metropolitan borough of South Tyneside consists of South Shields, Jarrow, Boldon and Hebburn.

By metro

The Tyne and Wear Metro has a station in South Shields town centre. There are also stations in South Tyneside at Hebburn, Jarrow, Bede, Simonside, Tyne Dock and Cichester.

By ferry

A small passenger ferry (Tyne Pedestrian Ferry) connects with North Shields on the other side of the river. Bicycles are taken.

By bicycle

South Shields - depending on the direction of travel - is the endpoint of the Hadrian's Cycleway, which is signed as National Cycle Route 72. The North Sea Cycle Route (Route 1) also runs through the town.

By train

The nearest major mainline station is Newcastle upon Tyne.

By plane

The nearest international airport is located in nearby Newcastle upon Tyne.

For public transport information in Tyne and Wear, see the transport authority's journey planner.
The Metro can be useful for longer journeys along the north of South Tyneside, and the borough is well served by buses.

• Arbeia Roman Fort

  address: Baring Street, NE33 2BB
  The eastern Roman fort on Hadrian's Wall was not one of the fortifications, but served the control of the important port. At the same time Arbeia was the central supply unit for the entire Roman troops on Hadrian's Wall. Situated above the Tyne in South Shields there is the excavation site. The main reason for visiting is the distinctive reconstructed West Gate which gives an excellent impression of the dimensions of such a system. Near the gate the commander's home was reconstructed, which gives an impression of the relative wealth of upscale military of that time with numerous murals. A museum with shop and an education center form the entrance to the castle grounds.

• South Shields Museum and art Gallery

  address: Ocean Road, NE33 2JA
  Council run museum featuring collections and artifacts from the late author, Catherine Cookson. The art collection mainly has 19th and 20th century works by British artists, with an emphasis on local subjects.

• The Word

  address: 45 Market Place, South Shields, NE33 1JF
  A new take on the municipal library, which opened in October 2016. Has an exhibition centre, cafe and some well laid out racks of books. Worth spending some time wandering round and taking in the view of the Tyne as well as the building. Also has a tourist information centre for planning your travels in the area, and picking up leaflets.

• Souter Lighthouse and The Leas

  phone: +44 191 529-3161
  address: Coast Road, Whitburn, Sunderland, SR6 7NH
  Lighthouse which was in use until 1988, now run by the National Trust. The lighthouse opened in 1871, and was the first in the world to use a.c. electric current. The lighthouse used arc lamps and had its own generator. Climb the steep steps up to the light and see for miles on a clear day, or look at the view downstairs with a steerable camera. One of the lighthouse keepers cottages show early 20th century household life, other cottages are available as holiday lets.

• Jarrow marchers mural

  address: Jarrow Metro Station
  small mural

• Spirit of Jarrowlarge bronze statue commemorating the Jarrow marchers

• Bede's World

  address: Church Bank, Jarrow, NE32 3DY
  Jarrow's most famous resident was the father of the English language, the Venerable Bede, his life being celebrated at Bede's World, a museum and replicated Saxon village, next to the church of St. Paul and the ruins of the originally monastery where Bede lived.

• Tyne Pedestrian Tunnel

  address: NE32 3PS
  There are two tunnels - one for pedestrians and one for cycles. They were opened on 24th July 1951. The pedestrian tunnel has the longest wooden escalator in Europe.

• North and South Marine Park

  address: Ocean Road
  Two parks separated by a road. South Marine Park is a grand Victorian park, with a bandstand, pond (with boats for hire), floral displays and a miniature railway. The Lifeboat Memorial and the Tyne Lifoboat, which was built in 1833 (the second oldest preserved lifeboat in the world) are on Ocean Road between the parks.

• Barbour Factory Store

  address: Monks Way, Bede Trading Estate, Jarrow NE32 3HL
  Next the factory which makes the well known waxed cotton jacket, stocking this and other upmarket outdoor clothes.

• The Wouldhave

  address: 16 Mile End Road, South Shields, NE33 1TA
  Wetherspoon's pub

• The Marsden Grotto

  phone: +44 191 455-6060
  address: Coast Road South Shields, NE34 7BS
  Pub with food in a cave right on the beach. Accessed by a stair or lift down the cliff.

• Robin Hood

  address: Jarrow
  where Jarrow Brewery's ale brewery is located

• Annie's Guest House

  address: 106 Beach Road, South Shields, NE33 2NE

• Athol House

  phone: +44 191 421-8383
  address: 21 Westoe Road, NE33 4LS
  Basic bed and breakfast, rooms have kettle and fridge but shared bathroom.

• Premier Inn South Shields Port Of Tyne

  phone: +44 871 527 8992
  address: Newcastle Rd

• Quality Hotel Boldon

  phone: +44 191 519 1999
  address: Boldon Business Park, Witney Way, Boldon

• Newcastle upon Tyne
• Sunderland
• Gateshead
• Tynemouth and North Shields
• Wallsend
• Washington
• Whitley Bay