Playgrounds and Play Parks in Sunderland

Sunderland's parks were laid out by Victorian councillors who wanted green space close to crowded terraces, and most of them still have a playground tucked inside. Add the seafront at Roker and Seaburn and the country parks that have replaced old collieries, and there is somewhere to run off energy within a short trip of almost every part of the city. This guide picks out the parks with play areas that work well for a family outing, where a playground can be combined with a walk, a lake or a cafe. Play equipment is maintained and occasionally replaced by Sunderland City Council, so check the council's parks pages for any closures before a long trip.

Mowbray Park, city centre

Mowbray Park is the city's oldest park, opened in the 1850s and restored in the 1990s, and it sits right beside the city centre. As well as its play area, the park has a lake, terraces and a set of sculptures that nod to Lewis Carroll, who visited relatives in the area; look out for the Walrus by the lake, a reminder of the poem "The Walrus and the Carpenter". The park is next to Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens, which is closed for redevelopment until 2028, so the indoor side of a visit now means walking a few minutes to Culture House on Keel Square instead.

Best for: Families combining a play stop with a city-centre trip or a visit to Culture House.

Barnes Park, Pallion and Barnes

Barnes Park stretches along a wooded dene on the west side of the city and was restored with National Lottery Heritage Fund support. The play area sits within open grass, with paths along the burn, a lake and plenty of space for bikes and scooters. Because the park is long and narrow, it suits a loop walk with a playground stop in the middle, and it is busy with families on dry weekends.

Best for: Families wanting a long, varied walk with a playground part-way round.

Roker Park and the seafront

Roker Park opened in 1880 and keeps much of its Victorian layout, with a bandstand, a model boating lake and a ravine that leads down towards the beach. It has play equipment within the park, and a short walk east brings you to the promenade, where there is another play area along the Seaburn stretch of the seafront. Many families make a full morning of it: playground, beach, then a walk along the front for something to eat. Our Roker and Seaburn seafront guide covers the beaches, cafes and parking in more detail.

Best for: Families who want a playground, a beach and a seafront walk in one trip.

Herrington Country Park

Herrington Country Park was created on the site of the former Herrington Colliery, below Penshaw Monument. It is a large open space with lakes, a model boat lake, sculptures, an amphitheatre and play equipment for younger children, plus wide paths that work well for pushchairs and balance bikes. The climb up to Penshaw Monument is steep in places but manageable for most school-age children. For the history and walking routes, see our guide to Penshaw Monument and Herrington Country Park.

Best for: Families who want open space and a hill to climb as well as a playground.

Hetton Lyons Country Park

On the southern edge of the city, Hetton Lyons Country Park is another former colliery site turned into a country park, with a lake, paths and a play park. It is a good choice for families in Hetton, Houghton and the Coalfield, and pairs neatly with a swim at the nearby Hetton Community Pool & Wellness Centre on Bernard Park.

Best for: Coalfield families looking for a lakeside walk and play park close to home.

Silksworth

Silksworth has a park with play equipment close to the sports facilities on Silksworth Lane. Older children may be more interested in the Silksworth Sports Complex & Ski Slope next door, which runs ski and snowboard lessons for children on its nursery slopes and 160m floodlit slope, and tubing parties for birthdays.

Best for: Families with a mix of younger children and older ones who want something more active.

Paid adventure play

If you want a playground with more of a day out attached, the WWT Washington Wetland Centre has adventure play areas alongside its hides, otters and woodland trails. Opening days vary by season and admission is charged, so check the WWT website before setting off.

Best for: Families wanting a full day out with wildlife as well as play.

When the weather turns

Sunderland's coastal weather can change quickly. If rain stops play, the soft play at Sunderland Aquatic Centre and the trampolines and soft play at Super Tramp Sunderland are covered in our guides to soft play in Sunderland and a rainy day in Sunderland.

Planning your visit

Most of these parks are free to enter and open from early morning to dusk, though park play areas are generally designed for children up to around 12, and some have separate toddler sections. Mowbray Park, Barnes Park and Roker Park are all reachable by bus from the city centre, and Roker is a short walk from St Peter's or Seaburn Metro stations. Herrington and Hetton Lyons are easier by car, with parking on site. For more outdoor ideas, see our outdoors and families pages, or things to do in Sunderland.

Know a place we have missed? Get in touch.