Old Low Light

13/06/2026

Hope you enjoyed today's heritage talk at the Old Low Light. Our next Saturday heritage talk is

TALK: COMMOTION IN THE OCEAN
Saturday 11 July, 11am
£5 / half price for members

Steve Lowe, a well-known environmentalist who was involved with the Old Low Light Heritage Centre in its early days, carrying out ecology projects, will talk about how the marine environment has changed over time and some of the issues that are having a negative impact on our coastline and marine life.

Steve Lowe, a well-known environmentalist who was involved with the Old Low Light Heritage Centre in its early days, carrying out ecology projects, will talk about how the marine environment has changed over time and some of the issues that are having a negative impact on our coastline and marine li...

11/06/2026

We hope you can join us this Saturday for Mike Coates' talk on William Garson, the man behind *The Origins of North Shields*.

https://oldlowlight.co.uk/event/willy-garson-unassuming-relatively-unknown-north-shields-historian/

If you cannot make it, or if you have never had the chance to hear Mike speak before, several of his talks are available to watch on our YouTube channel.

In this recording, Mike explores the Pow Burn and the origins of North Shields, a fascinating subject that was undoubtedly inspired by his encounter with William Garson's work. It also formed the basis of Mike's book on the subject.

Well worth a watch for anyone interested in the history of North Shields and how our town came to be.

https://youtu.be/0pfwnjnlleA?si=vyzggas9CleXSZwz

In this talk for the Old Low Light Heritage Centre, local historian...

09/06/2026

I often think how lucky we are to live and work where we do. We have stunning seascapes, the River Tyne, fascinating urban landscapes and wonderful wildlife all right on our doorstep.

Of course, finding the time to get out and enjoy them is not always easy. Work, commitments and everyday life have a habit of getting in the way.

That's why I really like this video by friend of the Old Low Light, David Hirst. Filmed in late March 2020, right at the start of the pandemic, it is a calming virtual bird walk along the Tyne that has provided a soothing and mindful escape for the past six years.

If you have not seen it before, it is well worth a watch. Then once you've done it, head out for a real walk (if you can) and stop off at Old Low Light for a hot drink!

As a result of the Covid-19 epidemic, the Old Low Light Heritage C...

07/06/2026

I cannot tell you how many times people ask me, "Why aren't you open on Sundays?"

Well, next Sunday we are!

We'll be open from 12 noon to 4pm, and we have a real treat in store. Our friends from Wayward Wind will be performing two free concerts outside the Old Low Light.

Expect a mix of favourites along with a few special numbers, performed across two sets: 2pm to 2.45pm and 3pm to 3.30pm.

So why not come along, enjoy some live music, and make a Sunday afternoon of it? The more people we have attend events like this, the more likely we are to open on Sundays in the future. So if you'd like to see that, please come along and support us next week.

Join us for a relaxing afternoon of live music outside The Old Low Light. Wayward Wind are coming together once again for an afternoon of music by the mouth of the river at the Old Low Light Heritage Centre. Expect a mix of favourites plus some special numbers, performed in two sets (2pm-2.45pm and....

06/06/2026

Really excited to announce The Old Low Light be taking part in Peter Rabbit™: Tales on the Tyne event this year.

In the summer of 2026, a new exciting, free public art trail will add colour to the streets, parks and public spaces of Newcastle and North Tyneside – and you’re invited to join the fun!

Peter Rabbit™: Tales on the Tyne is presented by and raising funds for St Oswald’s Hospice. The charity has partnered with creative producers Wild in Art, The World of Peter Rabbit and Headline Partners Newcastle City Council to bring you a free, inclusive art adventure that the whole family can enjoy.

From Wednesday 15th July – Monday 14th September 2026, Newcastle and North Tyneside will be transformed by the arrival of super-sized sculptures inspired by the much-loved character created by Beatrix Potter, Peter Rabbit. Located alongside some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, each Peter Rabbit sculpture will be uniquely designed by artists from the region and beyond, providing a fun, family-friendly art trail for locals and visitors to follow.

Over 40 Peter Rabbit sculptures will hop, skip and jump in and around Newcastle and North Tyneside in summer 2026. Peter Rabbit: Tales on the Tyne is presented by and in support of St Oswald's Hospice.

06/06/2026

Just a week to go until our next heritage talk:

HERITAGE TALK: THE MAN BEHIND THE ORIGINS OF NORTH SHIELDS. REDISCOVERING W***Y GARSON, BY MIKE COATES.
Saturday 13 June, 11am
£5 per person / half price for members

Mike will explain almost every child in North Shields had a booklet, ‘The Origin of North Shields and its Growth’, written by Garson.

Since becoming a volunteer at the Old Low Light Heritage Centre more than 10 years ago, Mike Coates has researched and written books about local history, including about some of the great people who helped to shape the town that North Shields is today. He has given many well-received talks at the ce...

05/06/2026

Not all of our exhibitions focus on local history.

This beautiful piece can be seen in our current visiting exhibition, *No Time For Waste*, on the top floor of the Old Low Light. Created by local artist Ali Elly, it features a long snouted seahorse painted in watercolour ink on recycled paper.

The exhibition showcases creative responses to sustainability, reuse and the natural world.

04/06/2026

Our second community wall display in the Heritage Gallery explores the railways of North Shields and how they grew, developed and changed throughout the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries.

This fascinating piece of research was completed by Richard Heard, a friend of the Old Low Light, and offers an insight into the area's rich railway history.

Here is a sneak peak of the first wall, but there are 8 others to check out. Tuesday to Friday, 10am to 3pm.

03/06/2026

We often post about upcoming events at the Old Low Light, but we do not always talk about the fascinating exhibits and displays you can enjoy whenever we are open, from Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 3pm.

At the moment, we have a unique display exploring the archaeology of Clifford's Fort, created by Old Low Light volunteers and trustee John Nolan. The exhibition consists of nine panels, and we thought we would give you a sneak peek at the first two.

02/06/2026

Did you know that on the first Saturday of every month, the Old Low Light hosts mindfulness sessions?

The sessions are lead by Michael Atkinson, who has been practicing mindfulness for 25 years. They are face-to-face sessions are open to everyone, whether you are new to mindfulness or have prior experience. Each session will include two guided meditation practices, along with time for reflection and discussion.​

https://www.michaelatkinsonmindfulness.co.uk/cmr-1