Besides great sights, an interesting history and many exciting destinations, South Shields has a lot more to offer. Here you will find many helpful tips to enjoy your vacation in South Shields.
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Sights in South Shields
South Shields is a town in Tyne and Wear, North East England, on the River Tyne. The town has a population of 83,538 and is the Administrative centre for the South Tyneside District Council. It is bordered by Gateshead to the west, Newcastle upon Tyne to the north, the North Sea to the east, and Sunderland to the south.
The town of South Shields dates back to Roman times.excavations in the town have uncovered a bath house, believed to date back to the 3rd Century AD. The Saxons also occupied the town and it is thought that the first Saxon settlement was built on the site of the present Town Hall. In 973 AD the Saxons built a wooden fortification on the site of the present day Castle, which was later replaced by a stone castle.
During the medieval period, South Shields was one of the busiest ports in England. The town was granted a Royal Charter in 1243, which gave it the status of a Borough. The town was defended against the Scots by the 14th century castle, as well as by walls and gates, which were built around the town.
After the Battle of Flodden in 1513, South Shields became an important port for the supply of troops to the English army.
The town’s coat of arms, granted in 1530, shows two lions rampant supporting a ship’s wheel, which represents the town’s maritime history.
In 1864, the River Tyne was deepened and the port of South Shields was greatly expanded. This made the town an important shipbuilding centre. The first shipyard in the town was started in 1867 by William Doxford.
The town was also important in the coalmining industry. Coal was mined in the area from the 13th century and by the 19th century, the town had over 50 collieries. The last colliery in the town closed in 1986.
Today, South Shields is a bustling town with a variety of shops, cafes and restaurants. The town’s maritime history can still be seen in the streets and buildings. The town also has a number of parks and open spaces.
History of South Shields
South Shields is a town in the North East of England at the mouth of the River Tyne. The town has a rich history dating back over 2,000 years.
The first known reference to South Shields is in the end of the 1st century AD when the Roman writer Ptolemy refers to a settlement called Arbeia. This probably refers to a fort that was built on the Lawe Top, the highest point in South Shields. The fort was built by the Roman army to keep an eye on the River Tyne and to protect the coast from attack.
After the Romans left Britain in the 4th century AD, the area around South Shields was inhabited by the AngloSaxons. The name ‘South Shields’ is thought to date from this time. The ‘shields’ part of the name may refer to the shields of the soldiers who were stationed here or it may be a corruption of the word ‘shealf’ which means ‘borderland’.
South Shields was ruled by the Saxon kings of Northumbria until the Viking invasion in the 9th century. The Vikings used South Shields as a base for their raids on Lindisfarne and Durham. They also built a fort on the site of the Roman fort. This was destroyed in 1018 by Canute, the King of Denmark.
After the Norman Conquest, South Shields became a manor held by William de Warenne. The manor included the villages of Jarrow, Hebburn and Cleadon. In 1136, the manor was granted to the monks of Durham Cathedral by Bishop Hubert de SaintQuintin. The monks built a monastery known as the Hospitium of St Mary and St Cuthbert. This was later destroyed during the Dissolution of the Monasteries under Henry VIII.
The first town charter was granted in 1194 by King Richard I. This gave the town the right to hold a market and to elect a mayor. In 1296, Edward I created the County Palatinate of Durham which gave the Prince Bishops of Durham the powers of a sovereign ruler. South Shields became one of the four main market towns in the County Palatinate.
During the 14th century, the town was raided by Scottish soldiers. In 1327, the Scots under King Robert the Bruce burnt down much of the town. In 1405, the town was attacked again by the Scots, this time led by Archie Douglas, Earl of Angus. The town was defended by Sir Gilbert Lancaster but wasCapture of Berwick (1513)burned down nonetheless.
In 1536, the Hospitium of St Mary and St Cuthbert was dissolved by Henry VIII and the land was given to the Mayor and Burgesses of the town. In 1541, the town was made a parish.
During the Civil War, South Shields was occupied by Parliamentary troops. In 1644, a Royalist army under the command of the Marquess of Montrose tried to take the town but was defeated.
The 18th century was a period of prosperity for South Shields. The town became a centre for shipbuilding and coal mining. In 1786, the first lightship in the world was built in the town. The first steamboat service on the River Tyne was introduced in 1787 by the town’s MP, Sir William Wailes.
The 19th century saw further expansion of the town. In 1826, the first public library in South Shields was opened. The first gas lamps were installed in 1834. In 1837, the first police force in the town was established. In 1864, work began on the construction of pier. The pier was opened in 1867 and was soon a popular destination for tourists and daytrippers.
The 20th century saw South Shields change from a town reliant on coal and shipbuilding to a more diverse economy. In 1905, the Hippodrome theatre was opened. The first cinema in the town, the Electric Palace, opened in 1912. In 1934, South Shields was made a county borough and thus gained more control over its own affairs.
The town was heavily bombed during the Second World War. The shipyards and docks were particularly targeted since they were strategic targets. After the war, the town began to decline as the coal mines and shipyards closed. However, in recent years there has been a regeneration of the town and it is now a popular tourist destination with a thriving maritime heritage.
Vacation in South Shields
South Shields is a town in Tyne and Wear, England, on the River Tyne about 4.84 miles (7.8 km) downstream from Newcastle upon Tyne. It is the fourth largest town in the metropolitan borough. Historically in County Durham, the town has a population of 83,649, with the metropolitan borough having a total population of 284,266. South Shields is represented in Parliament by The Labour MP Emma LewellBuck.
The first evidence of a settlement within what is now the town of South Shields dates from prehistoric times. The Romans occupied the area, building a fort near the river mouth, which they called Arbeia, Latin for arbor or tree.
The town’s satisfactory location and its excellent natural harbour made it a suitable target for the Danes when they began to raid up river in the 8th century.
In 947, King Eadred of England, grandson of Alfred the Great, invaded Northumbria and took the fortress of Dunstanburgh, but two years later the Danes recaptured it. In 1018, King Canute sailed up the river Tyne to South Shields, ordering his troops to build a castle there. William the Conqueror, in 1066, following the Battle of Hastings, ordered the construction of a fortification at the River Wear’s mouth, to dominate the estuary, naming it the “New Castle upon Tyne”. The castle was completed in 1087 and has since been adapted for use as a town hall.
South Shields is located in the North East of England on the River Tyne. The town has a long history dating back to preRoman times. South Shields is an excellent place to vacation with a variety of activities and attractions to keep you busy.
For history lovers, the town has a wealth of museums and historic sites to explore. The town hall,Originally built as a castle in 1087, is one of the most iconic buildings in South Shields. The town hall houses a library, art gallery and museum. The perfect place to while away a rainy day. Other museums in the town include the Arbeia Roman Fort museum and the Shields Maritime museum.
If you are looking for a more active vacation, South Shields has no shortage of things to do. The town has two beaches, both of which are excellent for swimming, sunbathing and surfing. Sandhaven Beach was even named the best beach in Britain in 2019! For those feeling energetic, there are plenty of walking and cycling routes to explore the local area.
When it comes to food and drink, South Shields has something to suit all tastes. There are a number of traditional pubs serving locally brewed ales as well as more modern bars and restaurants. The town also has a thriving market which is well worth a visit.
South Shields is the perfect place to enjoy a UK break. With its mix of history, culture and outdoor activities, there is something to suit everyone.
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