# List of Sites of Special Scientific Interest in Tyne and Wear

There are 37 Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) in Tyne and Wear, England. In England, the body responsible for designating SSSIs is Natural England, which chooses sites because of their flora, fauna, geological or physiographical features. Natural England took over the role of designating and managing SSSIs from English Nature in October 2006 when it was formed from the amalgamation of English Nature, parts of the Countryside Agency and the Rural Development Service. Natural England, like its predecessor, uses the 1974–1996 county system with each area being called an Area of Search.
Tyne and Wear is made up of five administrative local authorities consisting mainly of the two largest cities in the region: Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Sunderland, thus making it the sixth largest conurbation in the United Kingdom. Tyne and Wear shares its borders with Northumberland and County Durham, to the north and south respectively.

## Sites

| Site name | Reason for Designation | Reason for Designation | Area | Area | Grid reference | Year in which notified | References | References |
| Site name | Biological interest | Geological interest | Hectares | Acres | Grid reference | Year in which notified | Map | Citation |
| Big Waters | Y | | 27.2 | 67.2 | NZ227734 | 1985 | Map | |
| Boldon Pastures | Y | | 3.5 | 8.6 | NZ381616 | 1987 | Map | |
| Brenkley Meadows | Y | | 9.2 | 22.7 | NZ217744 | 1988 | Map | |
| Claxheugh Rock and Ford Limestone Quarry | Y | Y | 7.1 | 18.0 | NZ363574 | 1987 | Map | |
| Cleadon Hills | Y | | 10.0 | 24.6 | NZ389631 | 1984 | Map | |
| Dawson's Plantation Quarry | | Y | 0.7 | 1.7 | NZ336547 | 1996 | Map | |
| Durham Coast | Y | Y | 765.4 | 1,891.0 | NZ381685 – NZ495362 | 1999 | Map | |
| Eppleton Grassland | Y | | 13.4 | 33.0 | | | Map | |
| Fulwell and Carley Hill Quarries | Y | Y | 6.0 | 14.8 | NZ382598 & NZ388595 | 1987 | Map | |
| Gibside | Y | | 89.0 | 219.9 | NZ184590 | 1989 | Map | |
| Gilleylaw Quarry | | Y | 0.2 | 0.6 | NZ375537 | 1986 | Map | |
| Gosforth Park | Y | | 37.3 | 92.1 | NZ256702 | 1987 | Map | |
| Hallow Hill | Y | | 7.0 | 17.3 | NZ157658 | 1986 | Map | |
| Harton Down Hill | Y | | 1.1 | 2.7 | NZ390655 | 1984 | Map | |
| Hastings Hill | Y | | 1.3 | 3.1 | NZ353544 | 1984 | Map | |
| Herrington Hill | Y | | 6.9 | 17.1 | NZ367528 | 1983 | Map | |
| Hetton Bogs | Y | | 11.0 | 27.0 | NZ345486 | 1984 | Map | |
| High Haining Hill | Y | | 2.9 | 7.2 | NZ357507 | 1983 | Map | |
| High Moorsley | Y | Y | 6.8 | 16.8 | NZ333454 | 1985 | Map | |
| Humbledon Hill Quarry | | Y | 0.1 | 0.3 | NZ382553 | 1985 | Map | |
| Hylton Castle Cutting | | Y | 1.1 | 2.8 | NZ360588 | 1986 | Map | |
| Joe's Pond | Y | | 4.5 | 11.0 | NZ328486 | 1984 | Map | |
| Lower Derwent Meadows | Y | | 4.2 | 10.3 | NZ190613 | 1986 | Map | |
| Moorsley Banks | Y | | 5.5 | 13.7 | NZ336459 | 1987 | Map | |
| Northumberland Shore | Y | Y | 1,925.8 | 47,574.0 | NT980575 – NU010525 & NU165363 – NZ365685 | 1992 | Map | |
| Pockerley Farm Pond | Y | | 1.4 | 3.4 | NZ222555 | 1984 | Map | |
| Prestwick Carr | Y | | 51.4 | 127.0 | NZ189742 | 1986 | Map | |
| Ridley Gill | Y | | 12.2 | 30.1 | NZ217556 | 1985 | Map | |
| Ryton Willows | Y | | 6.9 | 17.0 | NZ 152650, NZ155649, NZ158649 | 1985 | Map | |
| Shibdon Pond | Y | | 14.6 | 36.0 | NZ195628 | 1985 | Map | |
| South Hylton Pasture | Y | | 2.8 | 6.9 | NZ357568 | 1984 | Map | |
| Strother Hills | Y | | 8.1 | 20.0 | NZ153579 | 1986 | Map | |
| Thornley Wood | Y | | 14.8 | 36.6 | NZ177608 | 1990 | Map | |
| Tunstall Hills and Ryhope Cutting | Y | Y | 15.8 | 39.0 | NZ391546, NZ393540 & NZ399537 | 1988 | Map | |
| Tynemouth To Seaton Sluice | | Y | 97.9 | 241.9 | NZ346755, NZ365716, NZ373694 | 1989 | Map | |
| Wear River Bank | | Y | 4.8 | 11.9 | NZ360577 | 1989 | Map | |
| West Farm Meadow, Boldon | Y | | 2.8 | 6.9 | NZ358622 | 1989 | Map | |