Sunderland has had a local museum for over two centuries. The museum which was originally privately run was taken over in 1846 by the town council, making it the first local authority run museum outside of London. The museum quickly outgrew its premises and a purpose built, library, museum and winter gardens was opened to the public in 1879.. This building is still in existence, though the original winter gardens were destroyed in a German air raid during the Second world War. Collections kept growing and a new extension was opened during the 1960s, making Sunderland Museum one of the largest municipal ones in the country.

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The library was moved out and National Lottery money funded a major development scheme that was completed in 2001. A new winter gardens was created at the same time. Sunderland Museum has many different collections. Textile Traditions cover such historical North Country material crafts as quilting, hooky and proggy mats and ganseys. The Sunderland Pottery Exhibition shows the ceramic industry in the region, including the renowned pink lustreware. Coal has always played a major part in the history, culture and economy of the area and this exhibition focuses on the mining industry and communities. The Time Machine is the museum’s craziest collection with fascinating objects, which never been put on display before.


Secrets of the Past reveals the archaeological techniques which have enabled us to uncover the lives of those people who have lived in the Sunderland district over the past centuries.  It also shows a prehistoric burial and how the monks lived in St Peter’s monastery during the time of Bede. It was the Saxon monks who founded the glass industry in Sunderland. There are still glass-makers in the area and the whole story is told in Sunderland’s Glorious Glass. The story of 20th Century Sunderland is told in video presentations by four women in atmospheric room sets.  It explores fashion, diet, the cost of living, housing, public entertainment, politics, conventions, taboos and even the seaside over that fast moving century. Car rentals India

Worlds Alive brings together animals from across the planet while Lost Worlds shows the geology of Sunderland, backed by the sounds of bubbling swamps, howling winds and lapping waves. The Art Galley contains many fine oil paintings and watercolours, including some by L S Lowry.

Sunderland was the world’s largest shipbuilding town and Launched on Wearside tells the story of this industry from 1880 to 1950.  It also examines the lives of the shipyard owners, workers and their families. The Winter Gardens contain an excellent botanical collection of over 1,500 species from 146 species.  A scenic lift or staircase can be taken to a treetop walk from where the rainforest canopy can be observed. A statue of Sunderland man, Jack Crawford in the Gardens shows him nailing the colours of HMS Venerable to the mast during the Battle of Camperdown in 1797, giving rise to this expression. Hotel Booking

The Museum has two education rooms and is able to loan objects to schools and community groups.  Teachers’ packs are available and both workshops and activities can be organised. Exhibitions in the Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens provide many curriculum links.  These include both art and history at key stages 1 to 3, design and technology, maths, PSHE and citizenship, English literacy, ICT, Art and design, science, geography and environmental issues. India Holidays

The Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens has a level access route which avoids ramps and steps and there is a lift provided.  There is always staff available to give any assistance that is required.  It has accessible toilets and has facilities on all floors for blind and partially sighted people and the deaf and those suffering from hearing loss, Assistance and guide dogs are admitted and the museum offers baby changing facilities. The gift shop has a range of souvenirs and both hot and cold meals and drinks can be obtained in the museum. Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens are open from 10:00 to 17:00 throughout the week and from 14:00 to 17:00 on sundays.