South Marine Park: The Complete Guide

South Marine Park is the green heart of the South Shields seafront. With its boating lake, miniature steam railway, play areas, Victorian bandstand, and landscaped gardens, it has been a place for walking, playing, relaxing, and socialising for over a hundred years. Here is your complete guide.

The Boating Lake

The boating lake is one of South Marine Park's most popular attractions. You can hire pedalos and rowing boats for a leisurely circuit of the lake, getting close to the resident swans, ducks, and geese. It is a firm favourite with families and couples alike, and on a sunny day the queue can build up quickly.

The lake is open seasonally, typically from Easter to the end of September, weather permitting. Boat hire is available on a pay-per-session basis from the lakeside kiosk.

Best for: Pedalos and rowing boats on the boating lake — open from Easter to September, a favourite with families for over a century.

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The Lakeshore Railroad

The Lakeshore Railroad is the miniature steam railway that runs around the boating lake, and it is one of the hidden gems of South Shields. First opened on Good Friday 1972, it was the brainchild of engineers and enthusiasts Jack Wakefield and Don Proudlock, with co-founder Michael Henderson still involved with the railway today.

The track runs for just under a third of a mile, winding through the trees and over level crossings before arriving back at the station. It is currently the only public, steam-working 9.5-inch gauge railway in the UK. The railway celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2022 and remains a much-loved attraction for children and railway enthusiasts.

Best for: The only public steam-working 9.5-inch gauge railway in the UK — running around the boating lake since 1972.

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Play Areas

South Marine Park has two play areas suitable for different age groups. The main play area features adventure climbing frames, slides, and swings, while a separate area caters for younger children with age-appropriate equipment. A water play feature adds extra fun on warm days.

The play areas are free to use and are well maintained by South Tyneside Council. There are benches nearby for parents to sit and watch, and the proximity to the boating lake and the wider park means children can move between activities easily.

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The Bandstand

The Victorian bandstand is a replica of the original Macfarlane's of Glasgow model first erected in 1904. It can be lit up for special occasions, just as the original would have been. The bandstand is the centrepiece of the park's events programme, hosting live music throughout the summer months.

The Friends of North and South Marine Park organise regular events at the bandstand, from live music sessions and sing-alongs to community gatherings. During the summer, you can catch local bands performing in the bandstand on weekday evenings and weekends.

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History

South Marine Park was developed from the 1870s as part of a chain of three seaside parks built on reclaimed land — specifically the old waste spoil tips, or ballast hills, that had accumulated from centuries of shipping on the Tyne. The park was designed by Matthew Hall, the borough's surveyor and engineer, with John Peebles appointed head gardener in 1886.

Peebles set about transforming the barren ballast hills into the landscaped park we see today. Over the following decades, the boating lake, bandstand, and gardens were added, creating a public space that has served South Shields for well over a century.

Best for: Built on reclaimed ballast hills from the 1870s — designed by borough surveyor Matthew Hall with head gardener John Peebles from 1886.

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Events

South Marine Park hosts a variety of events throughout the year:

• Summer bandstand concerts — live music from local bands in the restored Victorian bandstand
• This is South Tyneside Festival — the park is a key venue during the annual summer festival
• Friends of the Park events — regular community activities including litter picks, petanque, guided walks, and seasonal celebrations
• Sunday Concerts at Bents Park — while technically in the adjacent Bents Park, these free summer concerts are a short walk from South Marine Park

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Getting There

South Marine Park is on Sea Road, South Shields, and connects directly to the seafront and Bents Park. The park is a 15-minute walk from South Shields Metro station via Ocean Road, or you can take any bus heading to the seafront.

Seafront car parks along Sea Road charge approximately 1.20 pounds per hour from 8am to 8pm, with an all-day rate of around 6 pounds. Parking is free outside those hours.

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Nearby

After visiting the park, you are well placed to explore the seafront. The Sand Dancer on Sea Road is a two-minute walk for a pint overlooking the sea. Minchella and Co on the elevated walkway has been serving ice cream and coffee on the seafront since 1942. For a more upmarket meal, Colmans Seafood Temple on Sea Road offers panoramic sea views alongside its fish and chips.

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For more on exploring South Shields, see our guides to things to do in South Shields, the best beaches, and the best walks from South Shields.