North Shields is a town on the north bank of the River Tyne, in the metropolitan borough of North Tyneside, in North East England. It is located eight miles east of Newcastle upon Tyne.
Traditional industries in the town include fishing and ship-building.
The town has recently undergone an extensive regeneration programme which has seen the revitalisation of the redundant docks. The Wet 'n' Wild indoor water park, an outlet shopping centre, and a marina form the centrepiece to the 'Royal Quays'. Similarly, major regeneration of the Fish Quay to the south of the town centre has included the construction of luxury apartments and the conversion of existing buildings into restaurants and bars. The North Shields Fish Quay is home to an annual festival to celebrate the history of the importance of the fishing industry to the town's history.
The Stephenson Railway Museum is located here.
Transport
The Tyne and Wear Metro links North Shields to Newcastle city centre, and to other destinations in Tyne and Wear including Whitley Bay, Newcastle Airport, and Sunderland.
An international ferry terminal based at Royal Quays is a gateway to overseas destinations, including Norway, Sweden, and the Netherlands. A half-hourly ferry service connects the North Shields Fish Quay to the town of South Shields on the opposite bank of the Tyne.