South Shields is the perfect venue for your Staycation or Coastal Retreat. For those who love the fresh air and open spaces, a brisk walk along the Leas and cliff tops will blow away the cobwebs. We are very proud of our local coastline with beautiful sandy blue flag beaches. Little Haven Beach is dog friendly all year around if you are bringing your pet with you. There are some beautiful Parks in South Shields.  North Marine Park has just undergone a fantastic upgrade and now boasts a fitness area and brand-new children’s play area.  A gentle inclined path now takes you to the crest of the Lawe Top where you can enjoy panoramic views out across the River Tyne & North Sea. South Marine Park has a lake where you can hire a pedalo swan and you can even take a ride around the park on a miniature steam train. Bents park is host to many events such as Food Festivals, Drive in cinema and music Festivals.

If you are looking to entertain the Kids or are a Big Kid yourself, you can enjoy the rides at Ocean Pleasure Beach. Visit the arcades, play ten pin bowling or take the kids to the Soft Play at The Dunes.

Go a little further along the coast and you will discover Souter Lighthouse, the first lighthouse to be powered by electricity, a National Trust treasure. You can also drop down on to Marsden Beach which is tucked away in a small cove.  Marsden Rock is host to many local wildlife and great to look into rock pools. Look out for seals and dolphins who are common visitors.

South Tyneside has a wealth of cultural and heritage attractions. Visitors can step back in time to the Roman era and visit Arbeia, the prize winning Roman Fort. Cross the Tyne to visit to Segedunum. Experience a slice of Anglo Saxon life at Bedesworld in Jarrow, the home of the Venerable Bede. Places in the books and life of Catherine Cookson, one of Britain’s best loved authors are popular attractions with a permanent display in the South Shields Museum and Art Gallery in Ocean Road.

Newcastle and Eldon Square or the Metro Centre in Gateshead is a wonderful place for shopaholics who also like to dine and be entertained. The newly developed Quayside area of Newcastle including the Baltic Gateshead and Sage Theatre is definitely worth a visit for an enjoyable night out. You can even book a River Mini Cruise which will sail you under the Millenium Bridge and take you to the Mouth of the Tyne here at South Shields.

Sunderland is just a few miles away, it also has a popular shopping centre The Bridges, but is also host to the National Glass Centre and the Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens.

For those who would like to travel further afield a ride up the Northumbrian coast is a must. Bamburgh Castle looming up from the rocks recalls images of bygone days. A visit to Lindisfarne, is accessible by a causeway but remember to check the tides or be stranded! For the energetic – a walk along Hadrian’s Wall and a visit to Vindolanda will certainly blow the cobwebs away. The fishing villages of Craster and Seahouses are the place to visit to enjoy delicious seafood.

Alnwick Castle and Gardens is an extremely popular family attraction and the fountains are really impressive. You may even see Harry Potter and Dumbledore walking through the castle passages!  If you want to take a step back in time then a visit to Beamish Open Air Museum is a must.  Its somewhere you can spend the who day and we guarantee that you will want to return.