Old Low Light

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Old Low Light The Old Low Light Heritage Centre aims to reveal the North Shields story in a new light. Our stunning space is also available to hire.
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On March 26th 2015 the Old Low Light was officially opened by Tynemouth MP Alan Campbell . The Fish Quay has been at the heart of North Shields life for over 900 years - now you can experience heritage and discover our story. Discover our exhibitions, special events, talks, guided walks and classes. Visit our shop with local crafts and produce for sale, our café and of course our spectacular viewing platform, looking out across the Mouth of the Tyne.

Book now for our talk linked to Remembrance Day.Alan Fidler, the driving force behind the Northumbria WW1 Commemoration ...
14/10/2026

Book now for our talk linked to Remembrance Day.

Alan Fidler, the driving force behind the Northumbria WW1 Commemoration Project and an expert on the conflict and its implications for North Shields and the surrounding area, will talk about the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
More than 100 years after its establishment, the Commission still works to commemorate men and women who lost their lives during the two world wars and to make sure they will never be forgotten. Alan will describe the complexities around its setting up and the challenges it faced, especially during the Great War, when conflict led to such a heavy death toll. As always, he will include local stories.
Commonwealth War Graves Commission - Saturday 14 November at 11am. £5pp (half price for Old Low Light members). To book a seat, or for more information, go to:
https://oldlowlight.co.uk/event/heritage-talk-commonwealth-war-graves-commission/

On the anniversary of the Battle of Hastings, we are all looking forward to our upcoming heritage talk:HERITAGE TALK: FE...
14/10/2026

On the anniversary of the Battle of Hastings, we are all looking forward to our upcoming heritage talk:

HERITAGE TALK: FEATHER, FANG, AND THREAD: THE WILD ART OF ANGLO SAXON NORTHUMBRIA

Tuesday 24 November, 1pm
£5 / free for members

This talk is currently sold out, but 158 people (as of 14/10) have saved the page in the hope that a ticket becomes available. So, if you have a ticket (particularly if you have a free ticket), please remember to return it, request a refund or cancel your reservation if you cannot make it, so that someone else can take your place.

If you don't have a ticket, it is always worth coming along on the day. We often have a spare seat and will always do our best to squeeze people in.

https://oldlowlight.co.uk/event/heritage-talk-feather-fang-and-thread-the-wild-art-of-anglo-saxon-northumbria/

Sneak preview of some of the paintings on sale at the art exhibition, SPACE, from 23 – 31 October, 10am-3pm at the Old L...
12/10/2026

Sneak preview of some of the paintings on sale at the art exhibition, SPACE, from 23 – 31 October, 10am-3pm at the Old Low Light (closed 25 and 26 October). The exhibition includes more than 60 new paintings and drawings, many of local scenes.
One of our founding trustees, artist Linda Kay, is donating 25 per cent of all sales to the heritage centre.
Entrance £5 pp (free for OLL members).
For more information about the exhibition go to https://oldlowlight.co.uk/event/art-exhibition-space/

Big turn-out yesterday afternoon for the premiere screening of film 'Mary Ann Macham: The Making of a Memorial', produce...
11/10/2026

Big turn-out yesterday afternoon for the premiere screening of film 'Mary Ann Macham: The Making of a Memorial', produced by We Are Local Heroes . Two screenings, each followed by Q&A session with filmmaker Dan Prince, sculptor Keith Barrett and academics and educators. Very interesting discussions with lots of questions from audience.
Always happy to share the courageous story of this escaped enslaved woman who found her freedom home in North Shields.

For more events at the Old Low Light go to https://oldlowlight.co.uk/whats-on/

Great talk today by local writer and genealogist David Scholey about the men who moved North Shields uphill. He explaine...
10/10/2026

Great talk today by local writer and genealogist David Scholey about the men who moved North Shields uphill. He explained how John Wright and his sons laid out the town centre streets as we know them. He also brought with him an artefact dated 1797 - a perpetual general ticket of admission to North Shields Theatre which was on Howard Street.
Fascinating talk with lots of detail about the Wright family. It was David's first talk at the Old Low Light but won't be his last.
Many thanks David!

So good to meet with photographer Pete Robinson today. He has some brilliant ideas for how we can celebrate the talent o...
09/10/2026

So good to meet with photographer Pete Robinson today. He has some brilliant ideas for how we can celebrate the talent of North Shields people during 2027 as part of our special programme to mark the 300th anniversary year of the Old Low Light. Watch this space!

Mel and Local Heroes filmmaker Dan Prince doing final preparations for tomorrow afternoon’s two free events (1.30pm and ...
09/10/2026

Mel and Local Heroes filmmaker Dan Prince doing final preparations for tomorrow afternoon’s two free events (1.30pm and 3pm) about Mary Ann Macham.
Film being shown for first time documenting Keith Barrett’s journey creating the amazing sculpture of the escaped enslaved woman who made North Shields her freedom home.
Great response to these events. Both fully booked but it’s always worthwhile popping in to see if there have been any cancellations.
Really proud of our ongoing involvement in sharing the story of Mary Ann.

Don’t miss out!Tickets going fast for our first Autumn and Winter classic concert on Friday 16 October at 7pm, featuring...
07/10/2026

Don’t miss out!
Tickets going fast for our first Autumn and Winter classic concert on Friday 16 October at 7pm, featuring the Osborne Trio – Jessica Graham (violin), Jennifer Murray (clarinet) and David Murray (piano).
A chance to enjoy first-rate classic music close to home. £18pp.
For more information or to book a place go to: https://oldlowlight.co.uk/event/autumn-and-winter-classics-the-osborne-trio/

Coming soon at the Old Low Light - a not to be missed art exhibition, called SPACE, by local artist Linda Kay, including...
06/10/2026

Coming soon at the Old Low Light - a not to be missed art exhibition, called SPACE, by local artist Linda Kay, including more than 60 new paintings and drawings for sale, many of local scenes.
Founding trustee Linda is donating 25 per cent of all sales to the heritage centre.
From 23 – 31 October 2026, 10am – 3pm
(Closed Sunday 25 and Monday 26 October)
£5pp, members free (includes entry to heritage gallery)

New display – North Shields and Northumbrian Small PipesThere is always something new to learn about our town’s amazing ...
05/10/2026

New display – North Shields and Northumbrian Small Pipes

There is always something new to learn about our town’s amazing history and heritage. Did you know that Northumbrian piping was part of a very rich and varied musical soundscape spanning all social classes in 19th century North Shields and that the pipes we play today were developed in the town?

If you want to find out more, pop in to see our new display installed over the weekend. We’re open from 10am to 3pm Tuesday to Saturday. Entrance to heritage gallery £5 (free for members).

We’re grateful to experienced Northumbrian piper Richard Heard who researched and curated the display working with other Old Low Light volunteers.

Address

Old Low Light, Clifford’s Fort, Fish Quay
North Shields
NE301JA

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 3pm
Wednesday 10am - 3pm
Thursday 10am - 3pm
Friday 10am - 3pm
Saturday 10am - 3pm

Telephone

+441912574506

Website

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