North Shields
| North Shields | |
|---|---|
North Shields Fish Quay | |
North Shields Location within Tyne and Wear | |
| Population | 34,423 (2011 census North Tyneside wards of Chirton, Collingwood and Riverside) |
| OS grid reference | [NZ3568 NZ3568] |
| Metropolitan borough | |
| Metropolitan county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | NORTH SHIELDS |
| Postcode district | NE29, NE30 |
| Dialling code | 0191 |
| Police | Northumbria |
| Fire | Tyne and Wear |
| Ambulance | North East |
| UK Parliament |
|
North Shields is a coastal town. It is eight miles (13 km) north-east of Newcastle upon Tyne, on the north bank of the River Tyne.
It was part of Northumberland. The "Shields " part of its name comes from Middle English. It meant "temporary sheds or huts used by fishermen". Now North Shields is in the Metropolitan Borough of Tynemouth.
Fishing and shipbuilding have been active here. There is a Royal Quays Marina for private boats.