Explore North Shields

Flea Circus is coming to North Shields. The award-winning Newcastle independent will become the first major trader announced for Common Ground, the ambitious new indoor market taking shape inside the former Wilko at the Beacon Centre.

his in-depth feature traces the story of Robert “Mouseman” Thompson — the Yorkshire craftsman famous for his carved mice — and uncovers his unexpected footprint in North Shields, from Mouseman furniture in St Columba’s church to the 1958 Wooden Dolly in Northumberland Square.

Taj from the Beacon Centre visits businesses in their new Bedford Street premises and shares an encouraging update on construction, relocation and plans for...

he I Love North Shields Vintage Market returns to Salt Market Social on North Shields Fish Quay on Sunday 25 October 2026, with vintage traders, food, live music, DJs and a social until 7pm. Entry is free and tickets are available now.

Looking for vintage markets in North Shields or something different to do on the North East coast? I Love North Shields is bringing three more...

One Ferry and Hundreds of Stories Waiting to Be Told Today, around 40 photographers of all ages and abilities came together for the latest I...

A 12km coastal heritage trail linking four historic buildings along the Northumberland and Tyne and Wear coastline gives cyclists and walkers a bracing new...

I wonder if you know what is on the top floor of Asda in North Shields? I didn’t until recently but it’s a massive hangar of a place, home to The Blyth and Tyne Model Railway Society. It was a hive of activity on the night I visited, when I was shown around by Trevor, the secretary, and Lee, the treasurer. Trevor has a background in Education (was Vice Principle of Blyth Community College) but since he retired has had more time to devote to building train models and layout, as well as travelling to check on real-life trains and tracks etc. Trevor’s family worked on the railways and both men’s enthusiasm for model trains goes back to childhood when they were given train sets by their parents. Trevor envies Lee, however, as he gets to drive real trains in his day job for Northern Trains. What I took from my visit is the commitment to detail the members have and the authenticity of the rail layouts. All of the layouts are based on existing (or past) rail locations. As one of the members, Louis, said, “The best way is to look at the real thing in person.”  After that, as Trevor told me, it’s a case of, “Concept, make a plan, then build.”

Sam Fender has landed another Official Number 1, putting North Shields back in the national spotlight. Explore the hometown landmarks, lyrics and local venues that shaped his rise from Tyneside teen to chart-topping artist.

As part of the North Shields 800 celebrations, a long-overlooked piece of local maritime heritage was brought back into the spotlight today with the unveiling of a newly restored oil painting titled The Royal Visit to the Tyne, August 1884, by North Shields-born artist John Davison Liddell (1859–1942).