Roker and Seaburn: A Guide to Sunderland's Seafront

Sunderland's seafront runs north from the mouth of the River Wear past Roker and on to Seaburn, before the coast continues towards Whitburn and South Tyneside. It is a single continuous stretch of sand, promenade and grassy clifftop, easy to walk end to end, with a pier and lighthouse at one end and a busy leisure strip at the other. This guide covers the beaches, the landmarks along the way and the places to eat and drink.

The beaches

There are two main beaches. Roker Beach sits in the shelter of Roker Pier, with the lower promenade of Marine Walk running behind it. Seaburn Beach is the longer, more open stretch further north, backed by Queens Parade and Whitburn Road. Both received a Keep Britain Tidy Seaside Award for 2026, which recognises clean, well-managed beaches.

Best for: Suits families on a summer day out and anyone who wants a long, level beach walk in any season.

Roker Pier and Lighthouse

Roker Pier protects the entrance to the Port of Sunderland. Its foundation stone was laid in 1885 and the pier was completed in 1903, built from granite blocks with the red and white stripes that make it easy to pick out from along the coast. The lighthouse at its end stands 23 metres tall. A tunnel runs inside the length of the pier to the lighthouse.

The pier and lighthouse are Grade II listed. After a long restoration, the lighthouse opened to visitors in 2018, and guided tours of the tunnel and lighthouse are run by volunteers. Storm Babet damaged the pier in October 2023, and repairs were carried out in 2025 before it reopened. Tours run on set dates and depend on the weather, and are booked through Roker Pier. The pier itself is closed in high winds and rough seas.

Best for: Suits walkers, photographers and anyone curious about the town's maritime history.

Roker Park

Roker Park opened in 1880 on land given by Sir Hedworth Williamson and the Church Commissioners. It is a Victorian park with a boating lake used for model boats, a listed bandstand, bowling greens, tennis courts and a miniature railway. A wooded ravine runs from the park down to Roker Beach, crossed by footbridges, giving a sheltered route from the park to the sand.

The park sits just behind Roker Terrace, so it pairs well with a walk on the pier or the beach.

Best for: Suits families with young children and anyone looking for a calmer break from the wind on the front.

Marine Walk and the Holey Rock

Marine Walk is the lower promenade at Roker, running along the back of the beach under the cliffs. It is home to a cluster of small cafes and bars. Fausto Coffee is close to the end of the C2C cycle route, and Love Lily Roker serves brunch from Pier Point. Elephant Rock Cafe Bar occupies a converted beach shelter, and Grannie Annie's Pub & Pantry is a two-bar pub with cask ale and food through the day.

At the northern end of Marine Walk is the Holey Rock, an outcrop of the concretionary "cannonball" limestone found along this coast. It was once pierced by caves and arches, but much of it was demolished in the 1930s for safety reasons. What remains is still a recognisable landmark between Roker and Seaburn.

Best for: Suits a slow seafront stroll with a coffee or a drink at the end.

Seaburn promenade and Cut Throat Dene

North of the Holey Rock, the promenade continues past Queens Parade to Seaburn. The upper path follows the clifftop green, and the lower path stays close to the sand. Beyond Seaburn, Cut Throat Dene is a small wooded dene that marks the boundary between Sunderland and South Tyneside. It acts as a wildlife corridor linking towards Mere Knolls Cemetery, and foxes, hedgehogs, tawny owls and bats are recorded there. A path follows it inland from the coast.

Best for: Suits walkers who want to extend a seafront walk towards Whitburn and the coastal path.

Where to eat and drink

At Roker, beyond the Marine Walk cafes mentioned above, Tin of Sardines Sunderland is a gin bar and kitchen in the old toilet block on Pier View, with a covered terrace facing the pier. On Roker Terrace, The Roker Hotel has two venues open to non-residents: 1842 Cafe & Bistro for daytime food and afternoon tea, and Poetic License Bar, which has a large beer garden and serves food daily.

At Seaburn, STACK Seaburn is a container village with street food traders, bars and live entertainment. Inside it, Downey's Fish & Chips is the choice for traditional fish and chips by the sea. Next door, The Seaburn Inn is a pub with rooms serving breakfast, pub classics and a Sunday carvery. On Queens Parade, Kawali Restaurant at the Grand Hotel offers a sit-down Asian fusion menu with views over the promenade.

Opening hours on the seafront change with the season and the weather, so check before travelling in winter.

Best for: Suits groups who want options, from a quick takeaway to a booked meal.

Sunderland Illuminations

The Sunderland Illuminations light up the Roker and Seaburn seafront each autumn. They are best seen on foot along the promenade, and dates are announced by Sunderland City Council each year.

Best for: Suits families looking for an evening walk on the darker autumn nights.

Getting there

Seaburn Metro station is the nearest station for Seaburn and the north end of the seafront. St Peter's Metro station, on the north bank of the Wear, is the better choice for Roker and the pier. Buses including the E1 run along Roker Terrace, and summer services add extra links to the coast.

There are car parks along the seafront at Roker and Seaburn, including Seaburn Terrace near Queens Parade, plus on-street parking on the roads behind the front. Spaces fill quickly on sunny weekends and during the Illuminations, so public transport is often the easier option.

Know a place we have missed? Get in touch.