Situated on the banks of the River Tyne, North Shields was once at the very heart of the coal-mining and ship-building industry. The town has since undergone an extensive renovation programme and today is a popular residential area for professionals commuting to Newcastle upon Tyne and Sunderland, as well as families looking to settle in the nearby picturesque seaside town of Tynemouth, with its blue flag beaches, good schools and array of independent cafes, boutiques and the weekly Farmer’s and antiques markets.