The seaside town of South Shields, not far from Newcastle, is renowned for its friendly locals, Roman roots (the local fort was a major supply base for Hadrian’s Wall) and stunning natural scenery. Rugged cliffs provide a dramatic backdrop for popular coastal walks, while Sandhaven Beach was crowned the UK’s best beach by The Sunday Times in 2022, thanks to its “theme park, sweeping dunes, top-notch surfing and a dollop of civic pride”.