We undertook a walk-over survey at Souter and the Leas, South Shields as part of a wider Conservation Management Plan for the site, undertaken by Simpson and Brown. The object of the archaeological study was to provide an updated baseline survey of the existing National Trust data, including recent additions to the HER and available LiDAR data.

The assessment identified five key themes: Industrial, Military, Maritime, Agricultural and Prehistoric heritage.  Key sites were identified at Trow Rock floating gun platform; Manhaven boathouses; Marsden village and Whitburn colliery and associated infrastructure; and Marsden Grotto.