Free Things to Do in Sunderland

A good day out in Sunderland does not have to cost anything. The city has two long sandy beaches, a pier you can walk to the lighthouse, Victorian parks, a hilltop monument with views across three counties, and a new city-centre library and cultural building that is open to everyone. Here is a practical guide to the best free things to do in Sunderland, with a note at the end on the paid attractions worth knowing about and the venues that are currently closed.

Roker and Seaburn beaches

The seafront is the city's biggest free asset. Roker beach sits in the shelter of Roker Pier, and the promenade runs north along the cliffs to the wider sands at Seaburn, with cafes and ice-cream stops along the way. The beaches are good for a walk at any time of year, and in summer they are the obvious place for a family day by the sea. Our Roker and Seaburn seafront guide covers where to eat and park.

Best for: a seaside walk or a beach day that costs nothing.

Roker Pier

Roker Pier stretches out into the North Sea from the foot of the cliffs at Roker, ending at its red-and-white granite lighthouse. Walking out along the pier and back is free and gives views up and down the coast and into the mouth of the Wear. The pier deck can be closed in rough weather, so check for signs at the entrance. Treat the lighthouse as something to admire from outside.

Best for: sea air, harbour views and a classic Sunderland walk.

Roker Park and the Sunderland Illuminations

Roker Park, just behind the seafront, is a Victorian park with a boating lake and a ravine path down to the beach. In autumn the Roker and Seaburn seafront is traditionally lit up by the Sunderland Illuminations. Dates change each year, so check the council's events pages first.

Best for: a park walk by day, and the seasonal lights in autumn.

Mowbray Park and Barnes Park

In the city centre, Mowbray Park is Sunderland's oldest public park, with lawns, a lake, a bandstand and statues, and paths leading up to Building Hill for views over the city. It sits beside the Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens, which is closed for redevelopment until 2028, but the park itself remains open. Further west, Barnes Park has a long green valley, a lake and play areas, and is a good spot for a picnic.

Best for: a city-centre stroll or a picnic with children.

Culture House

Culture House, on Keel Square, opened in September 2026 and is now home to the City Library, with exhibition space, digital collections and spaces for events. Using the library and its public spaces costs nothing, and it is a useful place to spend a few hours in the city centre. Some events and workshops may need booking.

Best for: rainy days, children's reading and a look at the new city centre.

The riverside, Keel Crossing and St Peter's Church

From Keel Square you can follow the Keel Line, paving that marks the length of the ship Naess Crusader, across the Keel Crossing footbridge, which opened in October 2025. On the north bank, a riverside path leads east past the university's St Peter's Campus to St Peter's Church in Monkwearmouth. Founded in 674 by Benedict Biscop, it is one of the oldest churches in England and was part of the monastery where the young Bede began his life as a monk. The churchyard and exterior can be seen at any time, and the church is usually open to visitors on set days, so check before you go.

Best for: history lovers and anyone after a riverside walk.

The Fans Museum

The Fans Museum, in the former Monkwearmouth railway station on North Bridge Street, is a volunteer-run collection of Sunderland AFC shirts, programmes, photographs and memorabilia. General admission is free, with donations welcome. Opening times change from week to week, especially around match days, so check the museum's website before visiting.

Best for: football fans of every age.

Penshaw Monument and Herrington Country Park

Penshaw Monument, a Greek-temple folly on Penshaw Hill cared for by the National Trust, can be seen for miles and costs nothing to walk up to. The climb is short but steep, and the views from the top stretch across Wearside and County Durham. Below the hill, Herrington Country Park has lakes, open grass, a play area and wide paths that suit buggies and bikes. Our guide to Penshaw Monument and Herrington Country Park has more detail.

Best for: a family walk with a landmark view at the end.

Hylton Castle grounds and Tunstall Hills

Hylton Castle in Castletown is a medieval gatehouse-tower set in parkland, with the wooded Hylton Dene alongside. The grounds and dene are open to walk, and the castle itself has its own opening times and events, so check before you go. On the south side of the city, Tunstall Hills is a local nature reserve with grassland, wildflowers and wide views over the city and out to sea.

Best for: quieter walks with a bit of history or wildlife.

Worth paying for, and what is closed

Two Washington attractions charge for entry, but they are worth knowing about. Washington Old Hall is a National Trust manor house linked to George Washington's ancestors, and WWT Washington Wetland Centre is a nature reserve on the Wear with hides and woodland walks. Members of the National Trust and WWT get in at no extra cost.

Two former favourites are not available. The Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens is closed for redevelopment until 2028, and the National Glass Centre closed permanently in July 2026. For more ideas, see our guide to things to do in Sunderland.

Best for: planning a day out with the full picture.

Frequently asked questions

What free things are there to do in Sunderland? Free options include Roker and Seaburn beaches, a walk along Roker Pier, Roker Park, Mowbray Park, Culture House on Keel Square, the Fans Museum, St Peter's Church in Monkwearmouth and a walk up to Penshaw Monument.

Is the Fans Museum in Sunderland free? Yes. General admission to the Fans Museum in the former Monkwearmouth station is free, with donations welcome. Opening times change weekly, so check its website before visiting.

Is Penshaw Monument free to visit? Yes. Penshaw Monument is cared for by the National Trust and is free to walk up to at any time. Herrington Country Park, below the hill, is also free to visit.

Know a free day out we have missed? Get in touch.