South Tyneside offers visitors the most unique representation of Christian Heritage, the largest Roman reconstruction anywhere on Hadrian’s Wall and some of the most beautiful coastline - home to a wealth of maritime history. With grand halls and notable parish churches - there’s lots to be discovered.
South Tyneside respectfully acknowledges its historic past and is recognised to millions around the world through the phenomenal work of Dame Catherine Cookson, one of the 20th century’s well-known and successful writers. Often used for the filming of the infamous Catherine Cookson drama’s South Shields Town Hall opened in 1910 and is a stunning testament to quality craftsmanship, housing a grand staircase, Italian marble and stained glass.
Bede’s World provides an insight into South Tyneside as the cradle of Christianity 1300 years ago. The Venerable Bede (673 -735), medieval Europe’s greatest scholar lived in Jarrow and his writings have cast the brightest light on England’s Dark Ages. The story of his important and remarkable life is beautifully chronicled at Bede’s World, a most impressive, award winning museum, which skillfully blends excavated relics with modern presentation techniques in the very place where the - Father of English History - lived and worked. An 11acre working Anglo-Saxon farm is imaginatively recreated using traditional tools and techniques and you can marvel at the ancient parish church of St. Paul’s.
South Tyneside has a long and proud maritime tradition of seafaring, shipbuilding, marine engineering and lifesaving. The very first purpose built lifeboat was built in the Borough in 1789 and is home to Britain’s second oldest preserved lifeboat, the Tyne, which stands as a symbol of coverage and sacrifice at the Wouldhave Memorial, between the South and North Marine Parks. A short distance away is the head quarters of the South Shields Volunteer Life Brigade, whose members have saved countless lives since 1866. Situated on the South Pier The Watch House contains a unique collection of shipwreck material and local history. Souter Lighthouse started operating in 1871 and was at the time the most advanced in the world being the first to be powered by electricity. Visitors can explore the lighthouse, starting in the Engine Room and see where the lighthouse keepers and their families lived and slept. The spirit of the maritime past is preserved at the Mill Dam in South Shields, where the former Customs House stands at his heart as a fine example of tasteful renovation to reflect the past in a modern context.
The distant past of South Tyneside has been brought to life on the site of the Roman Fort of Arbeia, which played an essential role in the mighty frontier system and marked the northern boundaries of the Roman Empire. A Hadrian’ s Wall World Heritage Site, dating back from second century AD, parts of the fort have been carefully rebuilt and consist of wonderful reconstructions to enjoy, looking at a Roman Soldier’s Way of Life. Visitors can walk around the excavated remains of the fort’s granaries, see the reconstructed Commanders Barrack and the West Gate and spend time in the museum marveling at items found on the site such as weapons and jewellery.