South Shields
Explore hidden histories, historic photos, and things you never knew about South Shields from the collections and archives of Historic England.
Discover your local listed buildings and places
Introducing some of South Shields' most historic sites, included in the National Heritage List for England. Some of these captions have been summarised by AI. Click through for the official List entry.
Roman Catholic Church of St Bede and attached Presbytery …
South Shields
Roman Catholic Church, 1874-6 to designs by Thomas C NicholsonEarly English Gothic. Presbytery including attached walls and detached wall to S, later C19, Tudor Revival style.
Detached chimney at Cleadon Pumping Station
South Shields
Chimney. c1863, by Thomas Hawksley, consultant engineer for the Sunderland and South Shields Water Company. Read the official list entry to find out more.
Stag's Head Public House
South Shields
Public House, 1897, architect unknown. Read the official list entry to find out more.
War memorial outside St Hilda's Church
South Shields
First World War memorial, unveiled 1921. Read the official list entry to find out more.
South Shields through time
This timeline shows the first period of use for buildings and places on the National Heritage List for England, just one of the details recorded for every list entry. Click around to see how South Shields changes over time.
Roman AD 43 to AD 410
Britain was invaded by four legions of the Roman army in AD 43, who relatively rapidly conquered England from landing points in Kent. Parts of Wales and Scotland soon followed.
Roman culture brought urbanism, monumental buildings, wide-ranging religious beliefs, writing, and strong social hierarchy. The Roman administrative system was withdrawn in AD 410.
Post medieval AD 1540 to AD 1901
The Post-Medieval period brought seismic changes to life in England, with religious reformation leading to the democratization of worship and the destruction of hundreds of religious houses.
In parallel, there was a huge expansion of scientific study and enlightenment that permanently altered the nation's social structure and landscape. Industrialization and mass production lead to wider global trade, emigration, and immigration.
20th century AD 1901 to AD 2000
The 20th century saw an incredible expansion of England's transport networks, with suburban growth shadowing rapid infrastructural expansion. The establishment of state schools, hospitals, and modern technical colleges, with new architectural styles, radically changed the appearance of towns and cities.
Two catastrophic world wars and the 1918 pandemic also brought unprecedented change, altering England's built environment and social structures forever.
Roman AD 43 to AD 410
Britain was invaded by four legions of the Roman army in AD 43, who relatively rapidly conquered England from landing points in Kent. Parts of Wales and Scotland soon followed.
Roman culture brought urbanism, monumental buildings, wide-ranging religious beliefs, writing, and strong social hierarchy. The Roman administrative system was withdrawn in AD 410.
Post medieval AD 1540 to AD 1901
The Post-Medieval period brought seismic changes to life in England, with religious reformation leading to the democratization of worship and the destruction of hundreds of religious houses.
In parallel, there was a huge expansion of scientific study and enlightenment that permanently altered the nation's social structure and landscape. Industrialization and mass production lead to wider global trade, emigration, and immigration.
20th century AD 1901 to AD 2000
The 20th century saw an incredible expansion of England's transport networks, with suburban growth shadowing rapid infrastructural expansion. The establishment of state schools, hospitals, and modern technical colleges, with new architectural styles, radically changed the appearance of towns and cities.
Two catastrophic world wars and the 1918 pandemic also brought unprecedented change, altering England's built environment and social structures forever.
Aerial photos of South Shields
Aerial photography helps reveal secrets of England's changing landscapes that are impossible to see from the ground.
South Shields
The Middle Docks & Engineering Company Ltd Ship Repair Yard at Middle Docks and environs, South Shields, 1947
South Shields
Middle Docks (Engineering and Ship Repairing), South Shields, 1948
South Shields
Ingham Infirmary and environs, South Shields, 1933
South Shields
Ingham Infirmary and environs, South Shields, 1933
South Shields
Municipal Buildings and Fowler Street, South Shields, 1927
South Shields
Mile End Road and the town centre, South Shields, 1927
South Shields
Middle Docks (Engineering and Ship Repairing), South Shields, 1948
South Shields
Gas Holder, High Shields, 1950
South Shields
North Street and South Shields Railway Station, South Shields, 1927
High Shields
A ship in dry dock at Graving Docks, High Shields, 1963
South Shields in the Historic England Archive
The Historic England Archive cares for over 15 million images, dating from the 1850s to the present day. Discover stunning images of South Shields' past.
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Marine Park, South Shields, South Tyneside
Date created: 1900 - 1930
GENERAL VIEW FROM THE NORTH
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Marine Park, South Shields, South Tyneside
Date created: 01 Jan 1904 - 03 May 1909
VIEW FROM THE TERRACE LOOKING TOWARDS THE LAKE AND COAST
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Marine Park, South Shields, South Tyneside
Date created: 1900 - 1910
GENERAL VIEW LOOKING TOWARDS TYNE MOUTH
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Marine Park, South Shields, South Tyneside
Date created: 1920 - 1940
GENERAL VIEW WITH BANDSTAND IN DISTANCE
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
Marine Park, South Shields, South Tyneside
Date created: 1903 - 1908
GENERAL VIEW LOOKING TOWARDS THE LAKE
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
South Shields, South Tyneside
Date created: 1900 - 1920
GENERAL VIEW SHOWING THE MEMORIAL AND HARBOUR BEACH BEYOND
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
South Shields, South Tyneside
Date created: 1900 - 1910
GENERAL VIEW WITH BANDSTAND IN DISTANCE AND PEOPLE ON ROAD
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
South Shields, South Tyneside
Date created: 1900 - 1920
EXTERIOR VIEW
Nigel Temple Collection of Postcards of Parks and Gardens
South Shields, South Tyneside
Date created: 1900 - 1920
VIEW SHOWING PEOPLE GATHERED AROUND THE BANDSTAND DURING A PERFORMANCE
Stories about heritage in your local area
Historic England publishes news, blogs, research, videos, and podcasts celebrating England's rich heritage. Discover the stories we have about South Shields.
16 Stories of African Lives in Northern England
Mentions Roman fort, South Shields
Discover the often untold stories of brilliant and resilient people of African heritage.
New Funding Announced for Young People to Uncover Hidden Histories
Mentions South Shields
The History in the Making fund will help people living in deprived areas of England to explore and celebrate untold local histories.
New Funding to Uncover and Celebrate Working Class Heritage
Mentions South Shields
Historic England's Everyday Heritage Grant programme is funding 56 new projects across the nation, telling the stories of working class heritage.
New Funding Allows Young People to Explore Their Forgotten Local Histories
Mentions South Shields
Historic England has announced brand new funding for 11 ‘History in the Making’ youth-led place marking projects across northern England.
Tyne Bridge Listed Status Upgraded During Great Exhibition of the North to Celebrate Its Importance
Mentions South Shields
Tyne Bridge upgraded during Great Exhibition of the North to celebrate its importance
Hunt for the nation’s secret, forgotten or unknown memorials announced
Mentions South Shields
Historic England asks how people are memorialised and asks for help in finding the secret, forgotten or unknown memorials around the country
South Shields' social history through photos
Over 10,000 images from the Historic England Archive have been specially selected and re-captioned for teachers, students, and anyone who wants to learn more about their local area.
Seamen's Mission, Mill Dam, South Shields, Tyne and Wear
Period: Edwardian (1902 - 1913)
This seamen's mission was built in 1908. Missions provided cheap food and shelter for sailors.
Seamen's Mission, Mill Dam, South Shields, Tyne and Wear
Discover more
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