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.
About The Word
The Word, National Centre for the Written Word, is a striking modern cultural venue at 45 Market Place in the heart of South Shields. It combines a public library with interactive digital exhibits and hands-on experiences designed for all ages, alongside a FabLab making and fabrication space. The venue hosts a busy programme of events, including the WRITE Festival of author talks, poetry, performances and creative workshops, and the annual Summer Reading Challenge for children. Facilities include a shop and a cafe. Admission is free, making it an accessible destination for reading, learning, family activities and community events in the town centre.
Featured in These Guides
Blog posts and guides that feature The Word.
South Shields 365: The £100m Plan Reshaping the Town Centre and Riverside
A quick explainer of South Shields 365, the long-running £100m Muse and South Tyneside Council masterplan behind The Word, the refreshed Market Place, the transport interchange and what riverside residents can expect next.
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 Arab Quarter: Ocean Road's Multicultural Heritage
How Yemeni seafarers settled in South Shields from the 1890s, built one of the UK's first purpose-built mosques, created Ocean Road's famous food scene, and shaped the town's unique multicultural identity.
Arbeia Roman Fort: The Complete Visitor Guide
Everything you need to know before visiting Arbeia Roman Fort in South Shields, from reconstructed Roman buildings and museum highlights to opening hours, accessibility, and family activities.
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.
Free Things to Do in South Shields
Roman ruins, golden beaches, a world-class library, free summer concerts, and more, here are the best free things to do in South Shields.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Baby and Toddler Groups in South Shields
From council-run Family Hub sessions to sensory classes and church playgroups, here are the best baby and toddler groups in South Shields.
School Holidays in South Shields
South Tyneside Council term dates for 2026/27, plus tips on what to do during half term and summer holidays in South Shields.
Upcoming Events
Events that feature or are connected to The Word.
History Wardrobe Presents: Fashion Revolution
6:00pm - 8:00pm · The Word, 45 Market Place, South Shields, NE33 1JF
In Conversation with Matt Haig
10:00am - 11:30am · The Word, 45 Market Place, South Shields, NE33 1JF
An Audience with T.M. Logan
6:00pm - 7:00pm · The Word, 45 Market Place, South Shields, NE33 1JF
An Audience with Glenda Young
2:00pm - 3:00pm · The Word, 45 Market Place, South Shields, NE33 1JF
A Poet in Every Port: Rhymes on the Tyne with Rowan McCabe
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM · The Word, Coronation Street, South Shields, NE33 1DX
Teen Art Session: Paint a Dementor
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM · The Word, Coronation Street, South Shields, NE33 1DX
Past Events
Recent events connected to The Word.
Pop Up Choir with Beccy Owen
29 August 2026 · The Word, 45 Market Place, South Shields, NE33 1JF
The Ship's Cat at The Word
12 August 2026 · The Word, 45 Market Place, South Shields, NE33 1JF
Big Science at South Tyneside Libraries
23 July 2026 · The Word, Market Place, South Shields, NE33 1JF
The Ship's Cat, Children's Performance
22 July 2026 · The Word, 45 Market Place, South Shields, NE33 1JF
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 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.
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.
What's On
Caer Urfa: A Look at Anglo-Saxon South Shields
See listing · South Shields Museum & Art Gallery, Ocean Road, South Shields, NE33 2JA
Jason Cook's Comedy Club
See booking page · The Customs House, Mill Dam, South Shields, NE33 1ES
History Wardrobe Presents: Fashion Revolution
6:00pm - 8:00pm · The Word, 45 Market Place, South Shields, NE33 1JF
Stay Updated
Get the weekly SouthShields.org digest — events, news, and local tips.