What to do in North Shields

Activities, attractions and tours

Panorama of houses in North Shields in Newcastle upon Tyne, England
Panorama of houses in North Shields in Newcastle upon Tyne, England
Panorama of apartment buildings at the North Shields riverbank in Newcastle, England
Sunrise at South Shields harbour , the sun rises over the north and south pier, casting a yellow glow over the gentle waves , July 2025
Mouth of the Tyne

North Shields Attractions

Let Expedia help you to experience the best that North Shields has to offer! If you’re planning a trip to North Shields, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling to North Shields with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Places of interest in North Shields

North Shields is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay in North Shields, and make it a breeze to explore North Shields and the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in North Shields to make sure that you enjoy your holiday to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit to North Shields, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights in North Shields.

North Shields attractions

North Shields has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions in North Shields to keep you entertained. Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of North Shields.

Looking for things to do in North Shields can be time-consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine of North Shields or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to North Shields attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season. Happy trails!

  • find price illustration

    Explore activities

    Explore thousands of experiences from activities and attractions to day tours and transfer.
  • calendar shield illustration

    Book with ease

    Skip the line- book tickets online in minutes to top attractions with free cancellation on many activities.
  • trophy illustration

    Treat yourself

    One Key members save % or more on select activities, hotels, cars and holiday rentals.
    Learn about One Key

Recommended things to do in North Shields

Number of things to do
26
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Unlock Newcastle's Secrets: A Historic In-App Audio Tour: £9
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in North Shields

Popular places to visit

St. James\' Park

St. James' Park

Attend an intense soccer game at one of the United Kingdom’s largest and oldest stadiums. See it perched on a hill in the city center.

St. James' Park
Quayside which includes a river or creek, modern architecture and a bridge

Quayside

Cross a futuristic tilting bridge, peruse artistic centers and relax with a drink in this modern part of the city.

Quayside
Sage Gateshead which includes modern architecture and a city

The Glasshouse

This riverside concert hall of futuristic design is among Europe’s leading venues. Enjoy its spectacular acoustics, divine auditoriums and international acts.

The Glasshouse
Northumbria University

Northumbria University

The gleaming silver campus in central Newcastle is one of the U.K.’s newest universities. Its students have voted the city the country’s best for students.

Northumbria University
Crossing the Tyne @ Newcastle, UK

University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Enjoy the student vibe when you visit University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne during your trip to Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Stroll along the area's riverfront or simply savour its lively bars.

University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Newcastle-upon-Tyne Theatre Royal featuring theatre scenes and interior views

Newcastle-upon-Tyne Theatre Royal

Enjoy artisanal ice cream between acts at a show in the stylish setting of one of England’s most glamorous and acclaimed theaters.

Newcastle-upon-Tyne Theatre Royal
Castle Keep featuring heritage architecture and a city

Castle Keep

Visit the tower from which the city takes its name to hear wicked tales of frightening ghouls and life in the dungeon.

Castle Keep
Gateshead Millennium Bridge featuring a city, a river or creek and modern architecture

Gateshead Millennium Bridge

Marvel at the impressive architectural feat of the tilting of this curved bridge and its tall arch allowing boats to pass.

Gateshead Millennium Bridge
Angel of the North showing outdoor art and a monument

Angel of the North

Look up at one of England’s most iconic sculptures welcoming you to the northern part of the country with a warm embrace.

Angel of the North

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from North Shields

Lovely morning walk in local park that don't even know existed

Wallsend

Out and about at Trow Rocks, South Shields today

South Shields

Whitley Bay is a seaside town on the north east coast of England.♥️ #ExploringTheNorthEastOfEngland #Summer2019 #LoveGreatBritain #England #BeautifulBritain

Whitley Bay

Newcastle-upon-Tyne which includes a city, a river or creek and a bridge

Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Silverlink Park Sundial. In 1996 work started on reclaiming the West Allotment Tip and the remains of the spoil heap from the former Backworth Colliery. The large mound at the centre of the park is the highest ground in North Tyneside. It provides panoramic views of the area and is topped by the Silverlink Sundial.
Photo by Ken Brown (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)

Shiremoor

Jarrow Hall, Bede's World, near to Jarrow, South Tyneside, Great Britain. Bede's World is a museum in Jarrow dedicated to the life and times of the Venerable Bede (673-735AD) <a title="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venerable_Bede" rel="nofollow" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Venerable_Bede">Link</a><img style="padding-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="http://s0.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/> He was a monk, author and scholar who lived at the Abbey Church of St Peter and St Paul, Wearmouth-Jarrow, a double monastery at Jarrow and Monkwearmouth, today part of Sunderland <a title="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bede%27s_World" rel="nofollow" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bede%27s_World">Link</a><img style="padding-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="http://s0.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/> The oficial web site of the museum is here <a title="http://www.bedesworld.co.uk/index.php" rel="nofollow" href="http://www.bedesworld.co.uk/index.php">Link</a><img style="padding-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="http://s0.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/> The joint monastery site is (in 2010) the UK's nomination for UNESCO World Heritage Site status. See other images of <a href="/snippet/2249" title="See other images in Bede's World">Bede's World</a>
Photo by Andrew Curtis (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)

Jarrow

Lovely afternoon out and fancied trying something different.

Cullercoats

Frequently asked questions

Is North Shields worth visiting?
Renowned for its history and cafes, finding awesome things to do in North Shields is simple. Be sure to add Newcastle-upon-Tyne Theatre Royal to your trip itinerary while here.
How do I spend a day in North Shields?
Once you've visited top attractions like Castle Keep and Chinatown, spend some time experiencing the food and retail options in North Shields.
What is the top tourist attraction in North Shields?
You can't go home without visiting Newcastle-upon-Tyne Theatre Royal, rated the top tourist attraction in North Shields.
Is three days enough to stay in North Shields?
You can easily visit leading attractions like Wet 'n' Wild Water Park, Tynemouth Castle and Seaton Sluice Beach with a three-day trip to North Shields. On average, most travellers plan three days here. There's plenty to experience nearby too, so stay a little longer and head to Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
Is North Shields a walkable city?
It all depends on what you'd like to see and do in North Shields. Several top attractions, like Wet 'n' Wild Water Park and Tynemouth Castle, are accessible on foot. If you're up for a wander around some of North Shields's best neighbourhoods, Tynemouth is 2 kms (1 mile) away from downtown, while Westoe is 3 kms (2 miles) away from the city centre and also within walking distance.
What are some activities to do in North Shields with kids?
If you're looking for tours and attractions for all of your group, check out these terrific ideas for what to do in North Shields with kids.

What to do in North Shields for adults?
There's no shortage of things to do in North Shields, with experiences for adults of all ages. Finish your day off at Utilita Arena Newcastle or The Marsden Grotto.
Are there free things to do in North Shields?
One of the best ways to learn about free things to do in North Shields is to chat to a local tour guide. You'll get insider views on interesting neighbourhoods, parks and other highlights you can visit without taking your wallet out. Seaton Sluice Beach is one spot that doesn't have an entrance fee.