North Shields Fish Quay & Market

North Shields Fish Quay and Market is one of the most characterful places on the North Tyneside coast, combining working harbour, maritime history, seafood culture and riverside scenery in one atmospheric stretch of the River Tyne. Set close to the mouth of the river, the Fish Quay is where North Shields first began, with the area dating back to 1225 when a small village of shielings, or fishermen’s huts, developed here. The town’s name comes from those original shelters, giving the quay a deep connection to the identity of North Shields itself.

Today, the area still has a working edge, with fishing boats, seafood businesses, market activity and historic buildings sitting alongside restaurants, cafés and places to walk. It feels different from a polished seaside promenade. There is still a sense of industry here, with the river, the boats and the movement of fish and seafood giving the quay a grounded, authentic atmosphere. The Fish Quay remains an important seafood location, with North Shields long associated with prawns, crab, fish processing and the wider fishing trade.

The market side of the Fish Quay adds to that sense of place. This is not just a scenic stop, but somewhere shaped by generations of fishing, trade and early mornings by the river. The Market Office is also home to the North Shields Fishermen’s Heritage Project, which helps preserve and share the stories of the fishing community and the quay’s past.

A visit can be as simple as a wander along the waterfront, watching the river traffic and looking across towards South Shields, or it can be built around food. The Fish Quay is known for seafood, from classic fish and chips to restaurants and more contemporary coastal dining. Riley’s Fish Shack and Riley’s Fish Shop have helped give the area a strong modern food reputation, with seafood sourced through the local market and a focus on making North Shields’ catch more accessible to visitors and locals.

There is also plenty to discover nearby. Clifford’s Fort, built in 1672 as a coastal defence, sits within the Fish Quay area, while the Old Low Light has been transformed into a heritage centre. From the quay, you can follow the riverside east towards the mouth of the Tyne, with views of the piers, the river entrance and eventually Tynemouth Priory and Castle coming into sight.

North Shields Fish Quay and Market is best enjoyed slowly. It is a place of salt air, working boats, fresh seafood and layered history, where the past of the Tyne is still visible in the life of the river today.