Hotels in South Shields

Yes, South Shields is well worth a visit – especially if you're after a classic British seaside experience with a bit of everything. It has long, sandy beaches, a fun seafront with rides and arcades and lots of green space for walking and relaxing. It’s ideal for families, couples and anyone looking to spend time by the sea without venturing too far from the city. The town is also rich in history, with Roman ruins, coastal cliffs and lighthouses to explore. Whether you’re into nature, local culture or just fancy some good fish and chips with a sea view, South Shields ticks all the boxes for a relaxed weekend away.

South Shields is known for its beautiful coastline, lively seafront and historical roots. The town was once a key Roman outpost – the Arbeia Roman Fort, located near the river, was built to guard the eastern end of Hadrian’s Wall. In more recent history, it was a major player in the coal and shipbuilding industries. South Shields is also famous for being the birthplace of bestselling author Catherine Cookson, whose novels are inspired by the lives of working-class families in the Northeast. 

South Shields is neither – it’s its own town, located in the borough of South Tyneside, in the Tyne and Wear Hotels | Premier Inn region of Northeast England. That said, it's much closer to Newcastle upon Tyne than it is to Sunderland. It's easy to get there from Newcastle city centre – the Metro takes around 25–30 minutes, making it a popular day trip destination for people visiting Newcastle. 

Yes, South Shields is very much a traditional seaside town. It’s got all the things you’d expect like long sandy beaches, a promenade, amusement arcades, seafront cafes and parks filled with activities for kids and families. There’s also a lovely mix of nature and coastline, including grassy cliffs, rock formations like Marsden Rock, and scenic walking trails along the Leas – a stretch of National Trust coastal land. 

Yes, it has multiple beaches, and they’re some of the best in the Northeast.

• Sandhaven Beach is the main one – wide, sandy and perfect for a traditional beach day.

• Littlehaven Beach is smaller and sits where the River Tyne meets the sea. It’s ideal for walking, dog-friendly and has views of the piers and passing ships.

• Further south, near Marsden Bay, you’ll find more rugged beaches with dramatic cliffs and caves to explore. Some parts of the coast are popular with walkers and bird watchers too.

The South Pier in South Shields is just over 1 mile long, stretching right out into the North Sea. It’s a great walk if you enjoy fresh sea air and open views – especially around sunset or when the tide is high. You’ll pass fishermen, seabirds and see ships heading in and out of the River Tyne. The pier ends with a lighthouse and offers views of the coastline.

Absolutely – there’s loads to do in South Shields! Some highlights include:

• The Ocean Beach Pleasure Park is a big hit with families, with fairground rides, arcade games, go-karts and soft play areas.

• If you’re after something more peaceful, you can explore The Leas, a stretch of grassy cliffs and walking paths with sea views.

• Arbeia Roman Fort is a fascinating place to learn about the area’s Roman history.

• Art and culture lovers can check out The Word, South Shields’ modern cultural hub with exhibitions, workshops, and a great kids’ area.

• For foodies, the seafront is packed with places to eat – from traditional fish and chips to cafes, ice cream parlours and restaurants.

The main shopping street in South Shields is King Street. It runs through the centre of town and has a mix of high street brands and independent shops. It’s a pedestrian-friendly street, making it easy to browse and take your time. Just off King Street is the Market Place, where open-air markets are held several times a week – you’ll find everything from clothing and accessories to local produce and street food. Plus, the Bridges shopping centre in nearby Sunderland is a short drive or Metro ride away.

Flex – Pay now or on arrival, fully refundable with free cancellation up to 1pm on the day of arrival. Our most flexible rate – you can cancel and get a full refund up to 1pm on the day of arrival. You can also amend your booking at the same hotel up to 1pm on the day of arrival (additional room rate charges may apply depending on your new stay date).

Semi-Flex – Pay now, fully refundable with free cancellation up to three full days before arrival. Fairly flexible rate – you can cancel and get a full refund up to three full days before arrival. No refunds after that date. You can also amend your booking date at the same hotel up to 1pm on the day of arrival (additional room rate charges may apply depending on your new stay date).

Advance – Pay now, fully refundable with free cancellation up to 28 full days before arrival, free to amend thereafter until the day of arrival. Fairly flexible rate – you can cancel and get a full refund up to 28 full days before arrival. No refunds after that date. You can also amend your booking date at the same hotel up to 1pm on the day of arrival (additional room rate charges may apply depending on your new stay date).

Standard – Pay now, non-refundable. Free to amend booking at the same hotel up to 1pm on the day of arrival. Slightly flexible rate – you won’t be able to cancel and get a full refund, but you can amend your booking at the same hotel up to 1pm on the day of arrival (additional room rate charges may apply depending on your new stay date).

Non-Flex – Pay now. No amends or refunds. Our least flexible rate – you won’t be able to cancel or amend your stay after booking.

Our standard check-in time is 3pm. For an additional fee*, you can start your stay sooner with early check-in from 11am. Add early check-in to your stay while making your booking, or afterwards by managing your stay in your Premier Inn account. Early check-in is subject to availability and not available at all Premier Inn hotels. 

Checkout is by 12 noon on your departure date. If luggage storage is available, our teams will be happy to store any bags for you if you’d like to check out before 12pm.

*Prices and times will vary depending on date and location. 

For an additional fee*, you can start your stay sooner with early check-in from 11am. Add early check-in to your stay while making your booking, or afterwards by managing your stay in your Premier Inn account. Early check-in is subject to availability and not available at all Premier Inn hotels. 

*Prices and times will vary depending on date and location. 

In 2020 we launched Premier Inn CleanProtect™, our rigorous, daily cleaning method that’s used throughout our UK & Ireland hotels. Developed in partnership with Diversey, a global leader in cleaning and hygiene products for the healthcare and hospitality industries, our promise seeks to give you extra peace of mind so you can always book and stay with confidence.

Check-in - minimising contact at reception and providing hand sanitiser in most public areas for peace of mind. 

Bed linen and towels - laundering all our linen and towels at over 60°C to thermally disinfect them, so you can enjoy a great night’s sleep. We’ve also placed spare pillows in a zip-up bag, for extra peace of mind.

Equipping our teams - providing our team members with all the equipment and sanitisers they need, as well as always operating in the safest way possible for our teams and guests.

A generous serving of safety - you can relax knowing that enhanced cleaning measures are in place throughout our restaurants. Tables are cleaned between visits and contactless payment is in place too, so you can dine safely and comfortably with us every time.

Clean on request - if you'd like your room cleaned during your stay with us, just let us know at reception and use the handy door hanger on the back of your door by 12pm each day.

Most Premier Inns have specially-adapted rooms allowing easier access for customers with disabilities. If there is no specially-adapted room available at the hotel of your choice, we will be happy to offer you alternative accommodation at a nearby Premier Inn. If you have difficulty walking, but do not need a specially-adapted room, please feel free to request a room near reception on the ground floor for easy access. 

If you'd like get in touch, you can reach out to our specialist team via email at pi.accessible@whitbread.com or call us on 0333 0919 817 between 9am and 5pm Monday-Friday (calls charged at local rate).

Unfortunately, with the exception of trained assistance dogs, we don't allow pets to stay at our hotels.