Shields, Tyne and Wear

Shields
  • Foreground: North Shields ferry terminal.
  • Midground: River Tyne.
  • Background: South Shields ferry terminal.
Screenshot of OpenStreetMap showing North Shields and South Shields.
Shields is located in Tyne and Wear
Shields
Shields
Location within Tyne and Wear
Population81,474 
Metropolitan borough
Metropolitan county
Region
CountryEngland
Sovereign stateUnited Kingdom
Postcode districtNE29, NE30, NE33, NE34
Dialling code0191
PoliceNorthumbria
FireTyne and Wear
AmbulanceNorth East
UK Parliament
List of places
UK
England
Tyne and Wear
55°00′19″N 1°26′28″W / 55.00528°N 1.44111°W / 55.00528; -1.44111

Shields (/ʃiːlz/ SHEELZ) is an area of Tyneside in Northern England, consisting of North Shields and South Shields. The two towns are opposite each other on the banks of the River Tyne.

The name derives from Middle English schele meaning "temporary sheds or huts used by fishermen".

Transportation

Ferry

There is a frequent pedestrian ferry service between North Shields and South Shields. The Shields Ferry carries tens of thousands of commuters and pleasure trippers each year. There has been a cross-river ferry service between the two towns since 1377.

References

  1. ↑ 2021 census
  2. ↑ Mills, A.D. (1991). Popular Dictionary of English Place-Names, The. Oxford: Parragon. Shields, 'temporary sheds or huts (used by fishermen)', ME schele: Shields, North Tyne & Wear. Chelis 1268. Shields, South Tyne & Wear. Scheles 1235
  3. ↑ "South Shields ferry, bus and metro services". Bus Times. Retrieved 18 June 2025.
  4. ↑ "Ferry gets first woman boss in 700 years". Shields Gazette. Johnston Press. 12 August 2008. Archived from the original on 3 March 2009. Retrieved 16 August 2008. There has been a ferry service between North Shields and South Shields since 1377.