South Shields Museum & Art Gallery
South Shields Museum & Art Gallery
South Shields Museum & Art Gallery
4
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
11:30 AM - 4:00 PM
About
At the very heart of its community, South Shields Museum celebrates the rich heritage of South Tyneside and the people who shaped it. The building that South Shields Museum currently occupies has had a long and interesting past. It was constructed in 1860 as a home for the South Shields Literary, Mechanical and Scientific Institution. In 1873 the building became the town’s first free Public Library and Reading rooms and it opened as a museum in 1876. The museum is spread over two floors telling the story of the borough's social, industrial and maritime history from 4,000 years ago to the present day through a range of displays, exhibitions and nationally significant works of art. On the ground floor you can get closer to the collection and treasures of South Tyneside. There's also Creature Corner, home to our resident reptiles and insects, the shop and a small cafe, the Victorian Pantry, serving a range of hot and cold refreshments.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Full view
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
The area
Address
Best nearby
Restaurants
452 within 3 miles
Attractions
120 within 6 miles
Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
227 reviews
Excellent
106
Very good
80
Average
32
Poor
7
Terrible
2
CustardCreamUk
UK91 contributions
Oct 2021
Super museum - free to go in but it would be worth paying an entrance fee. Lots of local history - we saw an excellent exhibition about Sheila Grabey, a local artist, which was brilliant. The cafe is good too, very reasonably priced with stunning cake!
Written October 31, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello. Thank you very much for taking the time to leave a review. I'm so glad you enjoyed the exhibition and the café. I do hope you visit again. Geoff Woodward Museum Manager
Written November 9, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
vivEngland
Preston, UK750 contributions
Jun 2021
We were visiting the area and decided to have a wander round the museum. Fortunately there weren't many people walking around and there is guidance on the floor to keep you going in a certain direction to be able to social distance. There is an art gallery and also details of various people involved in art and a lot of information about the people of South Tyneside, including during the War. The Museum was opened in 1876 and previous to that it has been various things, including the town's first Public Library. The Museum is free with a donation requested.
Written June 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello. Thank you very much for taking the time to leave a review. I do hope you can visit again. Geoff Woodward Museum Manager
Written October 19, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Sandancer77
Wemyss Bay, UK1,956 contributions
Oct 2021 • Family
This museum is located in a historic and attractive building. It has free entry. There’s a small shop selling local goods and a Victorian tea room. The museum has some interesting exhibits, a small number of spiders/lizards/snakes, and they always have a temporary exhibition. Great way to spend an hour or so. Well worth a visit.
Written October 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello, Thank you very much for taking the time to leave a review. I'm glad you enjoyed your visit. I do hope you can visit again. Geoff Woodward Museum Manager
Written October 12, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Clare M
Manchester, UK413 contributions
May 2023 • Family
Fab visit while on holiday,attraction close to shops and other amentities.we used free car park on next street oceon rd. The musuem is free and lots to see,also the creature corner is fab although im glad the snakez are in locked cage make ne shiver lol. The gift shop is well stocked with stuff for adults and children.
Written May 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Geoff N
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK18 contributions
Jul 2019
Visited as part of a school activities visit to South Shields. Even a group of 20 kids aged 13-15 came away having enjoyed their experience. Lots of interesting exhibits, well-stocked gift shop and a nice little cafe for the teachers/grown ups...
I enjoyed it so much that I went back with my own daughter the following week!
I enjoyed it so much that I went back with my own daughter the following week!
Written February 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello
Thank you taking the time to leave a review.
What a great endorsement! Keep your eyes peeled - or sign up to our e-mailing list - for our summer programme we will have lots of free family activities on this summer that your daughter may enjoy.
Geoff Woodward
Museum Manager
Written March 2, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Vivian G
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK20 contributions
Sep 2021
Really enjoyed my trip. I had a nice day off and managed to get some time here. Affordable too! After, I went for a nice walk along the beach and got some chips. Really lovely day out and hope to visit again soon.
Written September 16, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello, Thank you very much for taking the time to leave a review. I'm glad you enjoyed your visit South Shields Museum. Geoff Woodward Museum Manager
Written October 12, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
amandahep15
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK207 contributions
May 2012 • Friends
This is a small museum with lots of content. You can see lots of memorabilia from the life of Catherine Cookson. Her Emmy award for the Black Velvet Gown, Her dictaphone used to write her novels. Her life story and TV moments. Not a Cookson fan there is a great story of South Tyneside room. Little coffee shop and museum gifts too.
Written May 16, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lynn h
South Shields, UK25 contributions
Aug 2016 • Couples
The Victorian Tearoom inside the museum is so special.
The staff are friendly and dressed in old fashioned apron and headbands...
All cakes ,scones ,soups , pies are made fresh on the premises.
You can sit and watch the world go by while listening to glen Miller or classical music......heaven .....well worth a visit
The staff are friendly and dressed in old fashioned apron and headbands...
All cakes ,scones ,soups , pies are made fresh on the premises.
You can sit and watch the world go by while listening to glen Miller or classical music......heaven .....well worth a visit
Written August 23, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
B B
Usa2 contributions
Apr 2014 • Solo
I was shocked to see the conditions live animals are kept here. I questioned who was responsible for their upkeep and welfare, and was told ' one of the staff'. No one seemed to know. Alone large lizard was lifeless in a small tank with no water and dried up lettuce leaves. Clearly had not been given fresh food for days.this is a disgrace. Tow animals had died that morning .this place can only be reported.
Written April 16, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
In response to your review regarding the welfare of our animals, I would like to reassure you that the animals are very closely monitored and we have a strict professional regime of care in place.
The animals are cared for on a daily basis by two fully trained members of the Museum team – one a staff member and one a registered volunteer. These team members are very closely supported by a Keeper and an Assistant Keeper from the Natural Sciences section at the Great North Museum, which is also managed by Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums. The Keeper and Assistant Keeper visit South Shields Museum & Art Gallery on a frequent basis to examine and monitor the animals. They also respond immediately to any issues that may be raised by the on-site team.
The care of the animals is also inspected by South Tyneside Council Environmental Health department on a periodic basis. The department has praised the way that the animals are looked after, and indeed has deemed that because of the ‘excellent set up’ and the professional way in which the animals are kept’ we no longer need to hold a zoo licence.
The cases and environment for all the animals have been set up in accordance with the requirements of a zoo licence and with the expert guidance of the Keeper and Assistant Keeper.
Sadly we have had one of the animals die recently. This was a spider that passed away due to old age. Like the other animals at the Museum it was very well cared for. It came to the Museum 25 months ago when, in its elderly condition, it was undergoing its final moult and was only expected to live for another 12 months.
I hope that I have been able to reassure you that we take the welfare and care of the animals at South Shields Museum & Art Gallery very seriously and have robust systems in place to ensure a very high level of care.
Written April 25, 2014
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Karen R
South Shields, UK35 contributions
Apr 2012
I love our museum. There's so much local history in the permanent displays. The temporary displays are always engaging and implore children to get involved and take an interest in education.
Written May 8, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
South Shields Museum & Art Gallery - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about South Shields Museum & Art Gallery
- South Shields Museum & Art Gallery is open:
- Mon - Fri 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Sat - Sat 11:30 AM - 4:00 PM
- Hotels near South Shields Museum & Art Gallery:
- (0.20 mi) Elmswood Guest House
- (0.15 mi) Atlantis Guest House
- (0.26 mi) The Clifton
- (0.30 mi) Beechwood Guest House
- (0.29 mi) Forest Guest House
- Restaurants near South Shields Museum & Art Gallery:
- (0.01 mi) Frankies Diner
- (0.01 mi) The Victorian Pantry
- (0.02 mi) Morrisons
- (0.02 mi) Minchella & Co
- (0.02 mi) Kirkpatricks
South Shields Museum & Art Gallery Information
Excellent Reviews | 105 |
|---|---|
Very Good Reviews | 79 |
South Shields Museum & Art Gallery Photos | 64 |