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About North Shields 800

The people of North Shields are working as a team to host a year of celebrations for the town’s 800th anniversary.

 North Shields 800 will bring everyone together to enjoy a calendar of exciting events that celebrates North Shields past, present and future.

A programme of events has been selected to appeal to a wide range of audiences and to celebrate North Shields’ maritime, mining, railway and industrial heritage as well as its reputation as a vibrant destination for arts and culture and a thriving location for business.

It will include a spectacular parade of boats and a blessing of the fishing fleet, a parade along the Fish Quay, exhibitions, street art murals, heritage projects, community events and performances.

Are you part of a community group that plans to celebrate North Shields 800 this year?

Please email northshields800@northtyneside.gov.uk and let us know. Please include the title of your event, what it is, the date, and location.

Our History

Created in around 1225 as a fishing port to serve Tynemouth Priory, it grew into the thriving harbour of North Shields.

 From the 1760s, the town expanded to the bank above the riverside. Today North Shields and its surrounding neighbourhoods have a population of approximately 35,000.

In 2025 it will be 800 years since a small village made up of simple huts called shiels was founded on the north bank of the Tyne, where the Fish Quay stands today.

  • The Riverside Embankment Walkway linking to the town centre to the Fish Quay

  • The restoration of Northumberland Square conservation area, the Exchange Theatre and Howard Street

  • The creation of a new Transport Hub and Thomas Brown Town Square

  • A series of public art installations across the town

  • Improvements to the main shopping street, Bedford Street.

North Shields Cultural Quarter is helping the creative economy grow to regenerate the town centre, with support from North East Combined Authority.

The celebrations coincide with North Tyneside Council’s Ambition for North Shields regeneration programme which includes:

View fullsize North Tyneside indie folk singer songwriter @_katiegracemusic_ has been announced as special guest for this weekend’s @hectorgannet shows at The Exchange 1856. Katie enjoyed a breakout year in 2024, playing both Camp Bestivals following an i
View fullsize ⚓ North Shields 800 - Fact of the Day ⚓ 30th January, 1906 At North Shields Police Court on 30 January 1906, 16-year-old Dora Agnes Stephenson pleaded guilty to stealing a brooch, a blouse and a cloth bag belonging to her employer Robert Wardhaugh
View fullsize ✨ The North Shields 800 celebrations are launching in style with free events at the Exchange 1856 theatre. ✨ On the evenings of Friday January 31 and Saturday February 1, North Shields band Hector Gannet is playing free ticketed concerts at the venu
View fullsize ⚓ North Shields 800 - Fact of the Day ⚓ January 29th, 2021 Hilton Valentine, member of the world-renowned band ‘The Animals’, died in Wallingford, Connecticut USA. He will always be remembered for the famous arpeggio chords he played

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