Explore North Shields

By Carol Davison When I was invited to take a look around the TVLB Watch House Museum, I must admit, I wasn’t expecting much more...

By Mark Tavender No way was I going to turn down an opportunity to go on a trip on The Tyne Idols Bus. I first...

By Adrian Lee | Photography @Blyth & Tyne Model Railway Society Is the Blyth & Tyne Model Railway Society Shields’ best kept secret? On the first...

From childhood wanderings in Northumberland Park to uncovering secrets buried for centuries, local historian Mike Coates traces how a small burn helped shape the origins of North Shields itself. Drawing on archaeology, medieval records and a lifetime of passion for the town, his rediscovered work reveals the lost story of the Pow Burn, Spital Dene and the remarkable St Leonard’s Leper Hospital – a place of faith, charity and significance now emerging once more from beneath the park.

The Old Low Light Heritage Centre stands proudly on North Shields Fish Quay as the town’s oldest surviving building, once a guiding light for ships navigating the Tyne. Today, after major restoration and decades of changing purpose, it continues to illuminate the area’s rich maritime heritage. Run by dedicated volunteers, the centre has become a vibrant community hub, offering exhibitions, events, walks, workshops, and stunning river views. Its story is one of resilience, renewal, and a deep commitment to preserving local history.

Tucked beside the A19 within Cobalt Business Park, Silverlink Park Local Nature Reserve (LNR) is an 18-hectare haven that showcases just how dramatically a landscape can be transformed. Once a former rubbish tip, the site was reshaped into a country park in 1996 and later awarded LNR status in 2005, recognising its remarkable biodiversity and growing ecological importance.

Little explorers now have a brand-new space to roam at Linskill Nursery in North Shields, where the newly completed Wild Garden is ready to inspire curiosity, creativity, and a love for nature. Thoughtfully designed to support outdoor learning, this magical garden offers planting areas, sensory zones, and plenty of room for imaginative play. It’s more than just a playground — it’s a hands-on learning environment where children grow alongside the natural world.

What was once a forgotten bomb site is now a thriving hub of greenery, creativity, and community. Since 2010, Lovaine Community Garden has blossomed into a welcoming space where nature, well-being, and togetherness grow side by side. Just minutes from the North Shields Metro, this resident-led garden offers more than just plants — it’s a sanctuary for those without access to green space, a stage for local musicians, a setting for mindfulness and art, and a place where everyone is invited to connect, unwind, and get involved.

Tucked behind The Meadows Community Centre, something vibrant is growing — and it’s not just the vegetables. With murals, sculptures, and nature-inspired installations, The Meadows are creating a unique art trail through their community garden. What began with a striking mural on the building’s front has blossomed into a creative journey featuring buzzing bees, painted shipping containers, and collaborative works from local artists like Mark Shields and Durham Spray. This evolving outdoor gallery not only brightens the space but also invites more people in to enjoy, connect, and even lend a hand.

Beneath the River Tyne lies a unique piece of history—the Tyne Cyclist and Pedestrian Tunnel. Opened in 1951 as Britain’s first purpose-built cycling tunnel, it links Howdon and Jarrow with twin passages for walkers and cyclists. With original 1950s wooden escalators and Grade II listed status, this 270-meter tunnel remains a remarkable blend of engineering heritage and modern-day utility.