Things to do in Sunderland

Discover Great Days Out in Sunderland

Most people associate Sunderland with football, but there’s far more to this coastal city than the Stadium of Light. Spend a day here and you’ll discover award-winning beaches, fascinating museums, beautiful parks and a proud glassmaking heritage, all within easy reach of one another. Whether you’re exploring with the family or planning a weekend in the North East, Sunderland has a knack for pleasantly surprising its visitors.

More Than Just the Black Cats…

For many visitors, the first stop has to be the Stadium of Light. Even if you’re not a lifelong Sunderland AFC supporter, the sheer scale of the stadium is impressive. A behind-the-scenes tour lets you step into the players’ dressing rooms, walk through the tunnel and stand pitch-side where thousands of fans cheer on the Black Cats every home game. If you happen to visit on a matchday, the atmosphere around the stadium is something every football fan should experience at least once.

Just a few minutes away, you’ll discover one of Sunderland’s most striking landmarks, the National Glass Centre. Before you even step inside, the building catches your eye with its dramatic glass frontage overlooking the River Wear. Sunderland has been making glass for well over a thousand years, and today you can watch skilled craftspeople shape molten glass right before your eyes. Live demonstrations, exhibitions and hands-on family activities make it one of the city’s most unique attractions, and best of all, admission is free.

Just a few minutes away, you’ll discover one of Sunderland’s biggest surprises at the National Glass Centre. Glass has been made here for well over a thousand years, and today you can watch skilled craftspeople shape molten glass right before your eyes. Live demonstrations, exhibitions and hands-on family activities make it one of the city’s most unique attractions, and best of all, admission is free.

Continue into the city centre and you’ll find the Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens, where Sunderland’s story unfolds through interactive displays, local history and family-friendly exhibitions. The tropical Winter Gardens are a real highlight, with more than 1,500 plants climbing towards the glass roof, creating a peaceful space that’s hard to believe sits right in the middle of the city.

From here, take a wander through Mowbray Park, one of the oldest Victorian parks in the North East. It’s the sort of place where families naturally slow down for a while, whether that’s letting the children burn off some energy, enjoying an ice cream or simply sitting beside the lake watching the ducks.

No visit would be complete without heading for the coast. Roker Beach and Roker Pier are among Sunderland’s greatest assets. The wide sandy beach is perfect for paddling, sandcastle building and seaside walks, while the historic pier stretches out towards its striking red-and-white lighthouse. On a sunny day it’s difficult to believe you’re only a few minutes from the city centre.

If you have a little more time, make the short journey to Hylton Castle. This beautifully restored medieval gatehouse offers a fascinating glimpse into Sunderland’s past and regularly hosts family events throughout the year.

Finish your day at Sheepfolds Stables, one of Sunderland’s newest attractions. Once home to working stables, the restored site now brings together independent food vendors, cafés, bars and regular live events, making it an excellent place to relax before heading home.

Looking for Adventure?

If your family enjoys something a little more active, Sunderland has plenty to keep everyone entertained.

The coastline offers opportunities to try paddleboarding, kayaking and even surfing, with lessons available throughout the warmer months. Seeing Sunderland from the water gives you a completely different perspective on the city.

Back on dry land, Karting North East lets drivers as young as five experience the thrill of racing around a purpose-built circuit, while Super Tramp Parks is packed with trampolines, obstacle courses and climbing challenges that are guaranteed to tire out energetic youngsters.

If bowling is more your style, Riverside Bowling combines ten-pin bowling with arcades, while Laser Quest Sunderland provides fast-paced fun for older children, teenagers and adults.

Need to Stretch Your Legs?

One of Sunderland’s biggest advantages is how much open space it offers.

The walk from Roker Beach to Seaburn is one of the best coastal strolls in the North East. With fresh sea air, colourful beach huts, cafés and plenty of places to stop for an ice cream, it’s easy to spend an afternoon simply enjoying the coastline. For bigger views, head to Penshaw Monument. Standing proudly on Penshaw Hill, this iconic landmark can be seen for miles and rewards the short climb with panoramic views across Sunderland, the River Wear and surrounding countryside.

Families looking for more space should visit Herrington Country Park, where wide open paths, play areas and lakes make it ideal for walking, cycling or simply enjoying a picnic. Closer to the centre, Roker Park remains a favourite with local families thanks to its boating lake, model railway, play areas and free tennis courts.

Beyond the City

Sunderland is perfectly placed for exploring some of the North East’s biggest attractions.

A short drive brings you to the world-famous Beamish Museum, where historic streets, vintage trams and costumed characters transport visitors back through hundreds of years of North East life.

Head south and you’ll reach Souter Lighthouse, the world’s first lighthouse designed specifically to use electricity, while the dramatic coastline of South Shields offers beautiful beaches, amusement arcades and family attractions.

To the west lies the historic city of Durham, with its magnificent cathedral, riverside walks and cobbled streets, while nearby Washington Old Hall offers beautiful gardens and a fascinating connection to the family of George Washington.

Whether you’re planning a weekend break or simply extending your day out, Sunderland makes an excellent base for exploring the wider North East.

Time to Refuel

After all that exploring, you’ll probably have worked up an appetite. Fortunately, Sunderland has plenty of great places to eat, whether you’re after fish and chips by the sea, a relaxed family lunch or coffee and cake overlooking the coast.

If you’re spending time around Roker, Love Lily has become one of the city’s favourite cafés, serving everything from generous breakfasts and pancakes to homemade cakes and excellent coffee. On a sunny day, it’s the perfect place to sit back and watch the world go by. Along the seafront you’ll also find plenty of traditional fish and chip shops, ice cream parlours and family-friendly cafés, making it easy to grab something while enjoying the beach.

While you’re in Sunderland, keep an eye out for local favourites including a traditional stottie, saveloy dip, pease pudding and the famous Pink Slice, a bright pink sponge cake that’s been enjoyed by Wearside families for generations. As you explore, don’t be surprised if you hear locals saying “Ha’way!” – the traditional Mackem way of saying “come on”. You’ll hear it everywhere, from the Stadium of Light on matchdays to families enjoying the seafront.

Know Somewhere We Should Feature?

At Great Days Out, we’re always looking to help families discover even more amazing places to visit across the UK. If you know a hidden gem, a fantastic family attraction or an experience you think should be featured, we’d love to hear about it.

Send an email to: info@great-days-out.co.uk and include:

• Name of attraction
• Website URL
• Type of experience

Own or manage an attraction in Sunderland? Get in touch to find out how your business can be featured on Great Days Out and reach families searching for their next adventure.

Is Sunderland Worth Visiting?

Ha’way, of course it is. Sunderland has a habit of quietly winning people over. While many visitors arrive for the famous Stadium of Light, they soon discover a city that offers so much more. Beautiful beaches, fascinating museums, green parks and a proud industrial heritage all sit within easy reach of one another, making it incredibly easy to explore in a day.

Whether you’re watching skilled craftspeople shape molten glass, strolling along Roker Pier with an ice cream in hand or soaking up the atmosphere on a matchday, Sunderland offers a brilliant mix of coast, culture and family-friendly attractions. Add in the warm Mackem welcome and it’s easy to see why so many people leave planning their next visit.

More Days Out in Tyne and Wear

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