10 Reasons To visit South Shields:  If you are planning a staycation in the Uk this year why not visit South Shields?

1. Beautiful Beaches –  Sandhaven Beach is an award winning beach. It’s won a number of awards for the quality of its sands and water quality, which it holds on to year after year. It has Blue Flag status as well as the Seaside Award from leading environmental charity, Keep Britain Tidy. The awards act as a guarantee that South Tyneside has one of the best beaches in the world. Sandhaven Beach offers the traditional seaside experience of making sandcastles, dipping toes in the sea, writing names in the sand, exploring rockpools or simply playing family and childhood seaside games all day including digging a big hole!Little Haven Beach -There is also another award-winning beach. The  Littlehaven Promenade  boasts fantastic coastal views and features a number of original artwork and state-of-the-art decorative lighting. At one end of the promenade is the unique figures of the Conversation Piece and The Eye, while at the other (about a ten minute walk away) is The Sail
2. Roman Fort – Arbeia South Shields’ Roman Fort guarded the main sea route to Hadrian’s Wall. It was a key garrison and military supply base to other forts along the Wall and is an important part of the history of Roman Britain. Through the course of history Arbeia has had several guises; from the Roman Emperor’s HQ for the Scottish invasion to a busy cosmopolitan port. It’s hosted dramatic tales of murder, fire, and holds the key to ancient love stories. It was a huge supply base for the Roman army, home to 600 Roman troops and is said to be the birth place of the Northumbrian King Oswin. It’s also a UNESCO World Heritage site with the finest full-scale Roman reconstructions in the country showcasing some of the most significant finds from that time.
3. Cuisine – There are a whole host of Restuarants to indulge in whilst visiting South Shields.  Why not enjoy traditional Fish and Chips from the World reknowned Colmans, Choose a Curry from one of the 15 Indian Restaurants from Traditional Street Food at Deli 6 to a fine dining version at Zeeras.  You can choose something spicy from El Tio Barbeque & Smoke house or enjoy Tapas & some elaborate Italian and Spanish treats at Spanishitalian.  If you want a little luxury in grand decor choose Mambo Wine & Dine.  A mediteranean restaurant with a touch of glamour!
4. Amusement Park – Ocean Beach Pleasure Park is open daily and offers a range of rides and entertainment for all the family.
5. Marsden Rock – is owned by the National Trust and  is overlooked by the Marsden Grotto. It is reachable on foot during low tide, but is completely surrounded by water at high tide. The rock is a 100 feet (30 m) sea stack of periclase and Magnesian Limestone which lies approximately 100 yards (91 m) off the main cliff face. In 1803 a flight of steps was constructed up the side of the rock. In 1903 several choirs climbed onto the rock to perform a choral service. A juggling show was also performed by a group of trainee clowns who worked for Marsden Quarry. In 1911 a large section of the rock collapsed into the sea leaving it as an arch. Continued tidal erosion caused the arch to collapse in 1996, splitting the rock into two separate stacks. Prior to this it had featured on many local postcards and photographs. In 1997 the smaller stack was declared unsafe and was demolished in the interests of public safety.The rock is home to seabird colonies, with thousands of pairs of black-legged kittiwakes, fulmarsgulls and cormorants.
6. Souter Lighthouse – This lighthouse was opened in 1871. It remains an iconic beacon on the North East Coastline. Hooped in red and white and standing proud on the coastline midway between the Tyne and the Wear. Souter is a special place all year round and was the first lighthouse in the world designed and built to be powered by electricity.
7. Parks – South Marine Park & North Marine Park – South Marine Park has been a place for walking, dancing, relaxing, playing and socialising for over 100 years. The park is a popular destination for tourists, day trippers, schools and community groups alike. The park was designed by Matthew Hall, the Borough’s surveyor and Engineer. John Peebles was appointed head gardener in 1886 and immediately set about creating the park that we know today out of the old waste spoil tips, or ‘ballast hills’. South Marine Park is registered under the Historic Buildings and Ancient Monuments Act 1953 within the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens by English Heritage for its special historic interest. A chain of three municipal seaside parks (including North Marine and Bents Park) developed from the 1870s and into the early 20th Century on reclaimed land. 
8. The River Tyne –  The  River Tyne is 73 miles long and seven iconic bridges cross it at different points along its length. You can even take the pedestrian Tunnel under the tyne originally built in the Victorian Times, it has undergone restoration and is worth a visit. You can even take a boat trip from Newcastle to the mouth of the Tyne at South Shields  and learn all about the history of the River.
9. South Shields Museum – At the very heart of its community, South Shields Museum celebrates the rich heritage of South Tyneside and the people who shaped it. The building that South Shields Museum currently occupies has had a long and interesting past. It was constructed in 1860 as a home for the South Shields Literary, Mechanical and Scientific Institution. In 1873 the building became the town’s first free Public Library and Reading rooms and it opened as a museum in 1876. The museum is spread over two floors telling the story of the borough’s social, industrial and maritime history from 4,000 years ago to the present day through a range of displays, exhibitions and nationally significant works of art.
10. South Shields & Tynemouth Markets – South Shields holds regular markets both new & preloved goods.  You will also find a Craft Market on Tynemouth Train station just across the water.  It’s well worth a visit.