A Weekend in North Shields: The Perfect Two-Day Itinerary

North Shields packs a huge amount into a small, walkable town: a working Fish Quay, a river crossing, beaches on the doorstep, museums, and a genuinely brilliant food-and-drink scene. It makes a perfect weekend break, or a great couple of days if you are showing visitors around. Here is our suggested two-day itinerary.

Saturday morning: the Fish Quay

Start where the town started, on the Fish Quay. Wander the working harbour, watch the boats, and take in the old lighthouses and Clifford's Fort. Call in at the Old Low Light Heritage Centre, the oldest building on the Quay, for the story of the town and a coffee with a river view. Pick up something fresh from one of the fishmongers while you are there.

Saturday lunch: fish and chips by the water

You cannot come to North Shields and not have fish and chips. Grab a portion from one of the Quay's celebrated chippies and eat it looking out over the Tyne, or settle in at one of the Fish Quay's restaurants for a longer lunch.

Saturday afternoon: cross the river

For a proper adventure, hop on the Shields Ferry across the Tyne to South Shields and back, one of the best-value little boat trips in the country and a lovely way to see the river. Back on the north bank, walk it off in Northumberland Park, the town's lovely Victorian green space.

Saturday evening: dinner and drinks

North Shields comes into its own at night. Start with a cocktail at one of the town's bars, enjoy dinner on the Quay, and finish with a pint by the fire in the historic Low Lights Tavern. See our date-night guide for the romantic version.

Sunday morning: the coast

Spend Sunday by the sea. The beaches of Tynemouth and Cullercoats are a short walk or Metro hop away, with sweeping sands, rock pools and the ruins of Tynemouth Priory on the headland. Blue Reef Aquarium at Tynemouth is a good wet-weather backup.

Sunday afternoon: steam and history

Round off the weekend at Stephenson Steam Railway, home to George Stephenson's locomotive 'Billy' and, on running days, heritage train rides. It is a fitting finish in the town where the railways were born, and free to enter.

Getting around

North Shields is on the Tyne and Wear Metro, so it is easy to reach and to explore car-free, with fast links to Newcastle, the coast and the airport. Most of this itinerary is walkable, with the Metro and ferry filling the gaps.

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Planning a visit? Explore our things to do and directory, and get in touch if you would like a tip.