The Customs House
South Tyneside's premier arts venue in a listed building overlooking the River Tyne. Home to a 440-seat theatre, cinema, art gallery, restaurant, and bar.
Featured in These Guides
Blog posts and guides that feature The Customs House.
Local Museums and Archives Near South Shields
Arbeia Roman Fort, South Shields Museum, The Word, the Customs House, and Bede's World -- a guide to the museums, galleries, and archives in and near South Shields.
Historic Trades and Crafts of South Shields
Glass making, shipbuilding, alkali works, salt panning, and the marine trades -- the industries that built South Shields at the mouth of the Tyne.
South Shields Docks: A Maritime Heritage Guide
Mill Dam, the coal staithes, the Shields Ferry, the Volunteer Life Brigade, and shipbuilding on the Tyne -- the maritime heritage of South Shields at the mouth of the river.
Heritage Walking Trail: A Self-Guided Tour of South Shields
From the Roman fort at Arbeia to the Herd Groyne Lighthouse, a self-guided walking trail through nearly 2,000 years of history -- Romans, lifeboats, seafarers, and the mouth of the Tyne.
The Shields Ferry: Crossing the Tyne
A practical guide to the Shields Ferry between South Shields and North Shields, covering timetables, fares, what to see at each end, and the history of this centuries-old river crossing.
A Weekend in South Shields
A two-day itinerary for visitors to South Shields, from the beaches and seafront to Arbeia Roman Fort, Ocean Road, and the Marsden coastal walk.
Things to Do in South Shields
From the Roman ruins at Arbeia to the beaches of Sandhaven and the theatres at The Customs House, here is your complete guide to things to do in South Shields.
Best Walks from South Shields
Four coastal and park walks from South Shields, from the clifftop path along The Leas to Marsden Bay, to a seafront stroll from Littlehaven to Tynemouth. With distances, terrain notes, and tips for every route.
History of South Shields
From the Roman garrison at Arbeia to the Yemeni seafarers of the twentieth century, the history of South Shields is a story of trade, migration, and resilience at the mouth of the Tyne.
The Customs House: Your Complete Guide
Theatre, cinema, gallery, restaurant, and bar — everything you need to know about visiting The Customs House at Mill Dam in South Shields.
Catherine Cookson Trail in South Shields
Dame Catherine Cookson was born in South Shields and set her novels in the streets around Tyne Dock. Here is your guide to the places that shaped her life and her writing.
Summer Holiday Activities in South Shields
From golden beaches and a free funfair to Roman ruins and rainy-day soft play, here is your guide to keeping the family entertained in South Shields this summer.
Wedding Venues in South Shields
From a Grade II listed Edwardian town hall to a seafront hotel overlooking the Tyne, here are the best wedding venues in South Shields.
Open Mic Nights in South Shields
From fortnightly Tunesday sessions at the Chichester Arms to live music jams at The Steamboat, here is your guide to open mic nights in South Shields.
Famous People from South Shields
From Dame Catherine Cookson to Sir Ridley Scott, Eric Idle, and Jade Thirlwall, South Shields has produced a remarkable number of famous people for a town of its size.
Best Quiz Nights in South Shields
From a Tuesday night quiz at the Sand Dancer to a Sunday session at The Marine, here are the best pub quiz nights in South Shields.
Best Photography Spots in South Shields
From the iconic Herd Groyne Lighthouse to the seabird colonies at Marsden Rock, here are the best photography spots in South Shields.
Rainy Day Activities in South Shields
Swimming, soft play, bowling, a world-class library, and a cave bar — here is what to do in South Shields when the weather turns.
South Shields FC: A Fan's Guide
From the history of the Mariners to matchday at the 1st Cloud Arena, here is your complete fan's guide to South Shields FC.
More Community in South Shields
Arbeia Roman Fort
UNESCO World Heritage Site guarding the main sea route to Hadrian's Wall. Full-scale Roman reconstructions, a museum of significant finds, and free admission from late March to September.
The Word
National Centre for the Written Word. A striking modern library with interactive digital exhibits, a fabrication lab, performance space, events programme, and a rooftop terrace. Free admission.
Souter Lighthouse
The first lighthouse in the world built for electric illumination, opened in 1871. Now managed by the National Trust with a visitor exhibition, tea room, and access to The Leas coastal walk.