Where to Park in South Shields

South Shields draws visitors year-round to its beaches, parks, and the famous Ocean Road restaurant strip. On a warm weekend the seafront car parks fill quickly, so knowing your options in advance is well worth the effort.

Here is the practical guide to parking in South Shields.

South Promenade South

Address: Sea Road, South Shields, NE33 3NB

The main seafront car park sits along Sea Road, close to Sandhaven Beach and within easy walking distance of Colmans Seafood Temple and The Sand Dancer. It is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with charges of approximately £1.20 per hour from 8am to 8pm. An all-day ticket costs around £6. Outside charged hours, parking is free.

Payment is by coin, card, or the pay-by-phone service. South Tyneside Council does not operate a QR code payment system, so do not be caught out by unofficial QR stickers on machines.

Best for: The closest car park to the beach and seafront attractions. Arrive before 10am on sunny weekends to guarantee a space.

The Dragon at Bents Park

Address: Sea Road, South Shields, NE33 2LD

Further south along Sea Road, The Dragon car park serves Bents Park -- the large open green space that hosts the annual South Tyneside Festival and other major events. This is a long-stay car park, well suited to a full day at the beach or a walk along the coast towards Marsden Bay.

Charges are similar to the South Promenade car park. The park itself has toilets, a play area, and plenty of space for a picnic.

Best for: Best for Bents Park events and walks south along The Leas towards Marsden.

The Amphitheatre

Address: Sea Road, South Shields

The Amphitheatre car park sits between the seafront and South Marine Park, making it a good option if you want to visit the boating lake, the miniature railway, or the play areas. It is also handy for Minchella and Co on the nearby walkway. Charges are in line with the other seafront car parks at around £1.20 per hour.

Best for: A good middle ground between the seafront and South Marine Park.

Town Centre -- St Hilda Street

Address: St Hilda Street, South Shields, NE33 1QD

If you are heading to the town centre shops, The Word library, or the Market Place, St Hilda Street car park offers free parking. It is a short walk from King Street and the main shopping area. This is a practical option for anyone visiting the town centre rather than the seafront, and it avoids the charges that apply along Sea Road.

Best for: Free parking in the town centre, within walking distance of The Word and the Market Place.

Ocean Road -- On-Street Parking

Ocean Road links the town centre to the seafront and is famous for its restaurants and takeaways. On-street parking is available along parts of Ocean Road south of the Anderson Street junction. There is also a public multi-storey car park off Anderson Street for longer visits.

Be aware that on-street spaces along Ocean Road are limited and popular in the evenings when the curry houses are busy. If you are planning a Friday or Saturday night meal, arriving a little earlier or using the town centre car parks and walking down is a sensible strategy.

The Metro Alternative

South Shields Metro station is the terminus of the South Shields branch of the Tyne and Wear Metro. Trains run regularly from Newcastle, Gateshead, and Sunderland. The journey from Newcastle city centre takes around 30 minutes.

From the station, it is roughly a ten-minute walk down Ocean Road to the seafront. This is a genuinely pleasant walk, passing the restaurants and shops that make Ocean Road famous.

If you prefer to park outside the town centre and take the Metro in, Tyne Dock station has a small public car park on Whitehead Street with around 34 free spaces. It is one stop north of South Shields on the Metro line and a practical park-and-ride option on busy summer days.

Best for: The Metro is the stress-free option on bank holidays and peak summer weekends. No parking charges, no queues, and Ocean Road is on the way.

Summer Tips

South Shields is busiest on warm weekends from May to September, particularly during the South Tyneside Festival in July. Here are a few tips:

• Arrive before 10am on sunny weekends to secure a seafront space.
• Use The Dragon car park if you plan to stay all day -- it is designed for long stays.
• St Hilda Street is free and only a short walk from Ocean Road if the seafront is full.
• Take the Metro on event days and bank holidays. Parking near Bents Park during the festival can be extremely difficult.
• Check the council website for temporary restrictions during events and roadworks.

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