WITH a wealth of history, a famous marine college and breathtaking scenery, it’s no wonder many people choose to live in South Shields.
The area is probably most well-known as the finishing point of the Great North Run, but aside from this, it has plenty of other attractions to reel in homebuyers. As well as its stunning coastline, there is character in abundance, from its quaint marketplace, to Souter Lighthouse and Arbeia Roman Fort – there is so much to explore on foot. At the gateway of the River Tyne is Little Haven beach, popular with those who like watersports, and a hotel with panoramic views of the busy Tyne. Even the pier has a tale to tell. At the end of the 19th Century, a dolly was embedded in the cement of South Shields’s Pier. Generations of parents would walk along the pier with their children to visit it. It’s not known who put it there, but now a sign marks the spot in the pier wall. Also on the seafront is the Groyne, a fairground, Marine Park with its boating lake, and plenty of stylish new apartments and houses. Cussins’ Amytis Gardens is a development of family homes in the heart of the town centre, while Westoe Crown Village has apartments and homes for first-time buyers for sale. The development has the added benefit of being only a stone’s throw from the magnificent coastline. South Shields is renowned across the world as the birthplace of famous author – Catherine Cookson. Born in Leam Lane, Tyne Dock, her books were inspired by her youth. Many of her novels, including The Fifteen Streets and The Cinder Path have been transferred to stage, film and radio. For an insight into the area’s past, South Shields Museum & Art Gallery explores the story of South Tyneside through displays, hands-on exhibits and art. Ocean Road is South Shields’s main street, running through the town centre, down to the ocean -- hence its name. It is famous for having the greatest density of Indian restaurants anywhere in the world. And for something cooler, Minchella’s has built an unrivalled reputation for delicious ice-cream. Giuseppe Minchella came to England from the village of San Michelle, in Cassino Italy, circa 1905. He originally sold ice- cream in the colliery districts of Durham before moving to South Shields where he had an ice cream parlour on King Street. This was followed by another parlour in Ocean Road in 1943. Not surprisingly due to its shipbuilding history, South Tyneside’s Marine College has a worldwide reputation for the quality of its Marine Engineering and Nautical Science courses. And with both the Tyne Tunnel and a regular ferry service to and from North Shields, it is an area that is easy to get around. Joanne Anderson has lived in South Shields all her life. The 27-year-old said: “I have no intention to move from South Shields in the near future. Though it is a place that you sometimes take for granted. “The sea and the sand give South Shields people the name of sand dancers. “South Shields offers a mix of culture, leisure and fantastic scenery that everyone can enjoy. It has impressive cliffs along the coastline, and the riverside makes the area a perfect location for family holidays, relaxation and days out. “There’s South Shields Museum and Art Gallery, Arbeia Roman Fort, and The Customs House provides gallery exhibitions and theatrical performances. Not only that, but the summer brings the Bents Park Festival with live acts and entertainers on every weekend and entertainment for the children throughout the day from Tommy the Trumpeter. “We also host the Great North Run which is an all-round fantastic event. “South Shields offers great nightlife with three good nightclubs and numerous bars and restaurants in the town centre and along the sea front. “Marsden Grotto is well-known for being a restaurant and a bar in a cave. “The grotto has a great history. It also overlooks the famous Marsden Rock. The lift takes you to down to the restaurant and bar. “You can eat inside or outdoors on the patio which overlooks the beach. “I wouldn’t swap living here for anywhere else.” | 
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