Free Things to Do in North Shields

You do not need to spend anything to have a good day in North Shields. The town's best assets, its working river, its heritage and its green spaces, are free to enjoy, and there is more than enough to fill an afternoon without opening your wallet. Here are the pick of them.

Explore the Fish Quay

The Fish Quay is free to wander and endlessly rewarding. You can watch the fishing boats come and go, see the day's catch landed, and take in centuries of maritime history along a single stretch of waterfront.

Look out for the High and Low Lights, the old navigation towers that gave the Low Lights their name, Clifford's Fort, a scheduled monument built to defend the river mouth, and Ray Lonsdale's Fiddler's Green sculpture, a moving free-to-see memorial to fishermen lost at sea.

Best for: Best for a free wander — a working river and centuries of history in one place.

Visit the Old Low Light

The Old Low Light Heritage Centre at Clifford's Fort is free to enter and tells the story of 900 years of the area's history. Its viewing platform offers spectacular views across the mouth of the Tyne, and it runs a programme of free activities including guided heritage walks and informal talks.

It is a warm, welcoming place to shelter from the weather and learn about the community that grew up around the Quay.

Best for: Best for a rainy day — free entry, local history and a cracking viewpoint.

Climb to Collingwood's Monument

The climb up to Collingwood's Monument costs nothing and pays back handsomely. From beneath the statue of Nelson's second-in-command, the view across the Tyne to South Shields and out to sea is among the best on the estuary, and it makes a memorable free outing on a clear day.

Best for: Best for a view — the finest free outlook over the river mouth.

Relax in Northumberland Park

Northumberland Park, a Victorian park opened in 1885 in the valley towards Tynemouth, is a free green retreat with mature trees, a bandstand and quiet paths. It is perfect for a picnic, a play or simply a stroll, a sheltered contrast to the open coast a few minutes away.

Best for: Best for families — a leafy Victorian park with plenty of room to roam.

Watch the boats at Royal Quays

Down at Royal Quays Marina, you can watch the yachts and pleasure boats for free, and larger cruise ships sometimes sail past on their way in and out of the Tyne. Add a ride on the Shields Ferry across to South Shields, one of the cheapest little voyages on the river, and the water gives North Shields days out that cost next to nothing.

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Know a great free thing to do in North Shields? Get in touch and tell us.