North Shields Lighthouses

North Shields has no less than four lighthouses along the north bank of the River Tyne. It has a historic harbour dating back to the 13th century, when it began as a collection of seasonal fishing huts (“shielings”) beside the Pow Burn.

Over the centuries, the harbour evolved. Quays and slipways were built, fish and shipping trade developed, and the entrance to the Tyne became heavily used.

However, as North Shields continued to develop, new legislation led Newcastle to monopolise the sea trade. This meant that only the loading and unloading of salt or fish could be carried out at North Shields.

The harbour and river mouth posed a particular challenge for vessels entering the Tyne. They needed a safe channel and had to avoid the Black Midden rocks. The solution was a pair of lighthouses aligned — the High Light positioned high on the bank, and the Low Light on the quay nearer sea level.

The earliest lights at this location date back to the 16th century. In 1536, a royal charter was granted for two towers at North Shields. Then, in 1727, the Old High Light and Old Low Light were built on or close to the original site to replace the earlier towers.

The towers were built on and above Fish Quay. The High Light was a four-storey white building at the junction of Beacon Street and Tyne Street.

The Low Light was built near the quayside. Clifford’s Fort enclosed the original lighthouse building in 1672, part of a chain of coastal defences against the Dutch. The Low Light is thought to have been rebuilt around 1727, following obstruction from the newly built fort governor’s house.

Both lighthouses used candles until 1773, when oil lamps were introduced.

Fish Quay High Lighthouse is located opposite Dockwray Square, a short walk away from North Shields Old High Lighthouse.

However, as the channels shifted, the lighthouses were no longer useful. As a result, they were discontinued in 1807 when a new pair of lighthouses replaced them.

The new Low Light, an 85ft high white square tower, was designed by John Stokoe of Newcastle Trinity House, and was 82ft above sea level.

In Dockwray Square, further up the hill, the new High Light was built, also to Stokoe’s design. The white square tower was 58ft tall and 138 ft above sea level.

These new lighthouses remained in service until they were decommissioned in the late 1990s. Following their decommissioning, the buildings were sold off privately for residential use. A directional light was then installed at Herd Groyne Lighthouse.

Although no longer operational, the distinctive lighthouses are still used as daymarks.

The Old Low Light is the oldest surviving building at Fish Quay. It was turned into Alms Houses for Trinity House, and was later used as a fish warehouse. Later still it became a Deep Sea Fisheries Association training centre and was used by the Maritime Volunteer Service.

In 2015 the Old Low Light was developed into a visitor and Heritage Centre and cafe. The Old Low Light tells the story of the lighthouses and harbour in its exhibitions.

At the mouth of the Tyne are the three Tynemouth Lighthouses, marking the north and south approaches.

In the centre of Dockwray Square is a statue of comedian Stan Laurel. He lived in Dockwray Square before his rise to Hollywood fame with Oliver Hardy.