Guides to Sunderland
In-depth guides to the best places to eat, drink, explore, and enjoy in Sunderland. Written by locals, backed by research.
Latest Guides
Riverside Sunderland Explained: What Is Being Built on the Old Vaux Site
Washington Old Hall and George Washington: The Wearside Roots of a President
Sunderland's Music Scene: Bands, Venues and Where to See a Gig
The History of the Sunderland Empire Theatre
St Peter's Church, Monkwearmouth and the Venerable Bede
The Bridges of Sunderland: Crossing the Wear
Food & Drink
Best Indian Restaurants in Sunderland
Where to eat Indian food in Sunderland, from street-food kitchens in the city centre to a large subcontinental lounge on Low Row and a curry house at Seaburn.
Best Italian Restaurants in Sunderland
Four independent Italian restaurants in Sunderland, from a family-run Sunniside favourite and a seafront dining room at Roker to an osteria at Sheepfolds and a Silksworth local.
Best Chinese and Thai Restaurants in Sunderland
Where to eat Chinese, Thai and wider Asian food in Sunderland, from a pan-Asian dining room by the Wear and a seafront restaurant at Seaburn to a city-centre buffet and Vietnamese pho.
Best Pizza in Sunderland
Where to find good pizza in Sunderland, from New York-style pies at Sheepfolds and slices in the city centre to organic pizza in Deptford and Italian restaurants with stone-baked menus.
Beer Festivals in Sunderland
A guide to the Sunderland and South Tyneside CAMRA beer and cider festival, how it works, what it costs and when to look for news of the next one, plus city pubs for cask ale between festivals.
Butchers in Sunderland
A guide to independent butchers in Sunderland and Houghton-le-Spring, from a farm counter at Penshaw to family shops in Castletown, Pallion, Ryhope and Roker.
Best Beer Gardens in Sunderland
Pubs and bars in Sunderland with outdoor space, from seafront terraces at Roker and Seaburn to courtyards and back gardens in the city centre.
Best Cocktail Bars in Sunderland
Where to drink cocktails in Sunderland, from Keel Square and Vine Place in the city centre to gin terraces and masterclasses on the seafront at Roker.
Date Night in Sunderland
Ideas for a date night in Sunderland, from a show at the Empire or The Fire Station to dinner in Sunniside, cocktails on Keel Square and an evening by the sea at Roker.
Quiz Nights in Sunderland
Where to find a regular pub quiz in Sunderland, with weekly quiz nights at Seaburn and in the city centre from Tuesday to Thursday.
Best Fish and Chips in Sunderland
Where to get fish and chips in Sunderland, from a seafront counter at STACK Seaburn and an award-winning cafe near the beach to the best-reviewed neighbourhood chippies.
Best Takeaways in Sunderland
Where to get a takeaway in Sunderland, from award-winning Indian street food and North East comfort food near the Stadium of Light to seafront street food and the city's top-rated chippies.
Best Sunday Roast in Sunderland
Where to find a Sunday roast in Sunderland, from a craft beer pub on Keel Square and a seaside carvery at Roker to Sunday dinners beside Park Lane.
Best Coffee Shops and Cafes in Sunderland
From a seafront roastery cafe at Roker to a Mediterranean cafe bar on Burdon Road and a tea room at Mackie's Corner, here are Sunderland's best coffee shops and cafes.
Best Bakeries in Sunderland
Where to buy bread, cakes, pies and pastries in Sunderland, from a third-generation family bakery famous for frog cakes to seafront patisserie and afternoon tea.
Best Breakfast in Sunderland
Where to get a good breakfast in Sunderland, from early Full Englishes on the Roker and Seaburn seafront to a Fulwell cafe that opens at 8.30am every day.
Best Brunch in Sunderland
Pancakes by Roker pier, bottomless brunch in a converted seafront building, eggs royale in a Victorian tram shelter and Sunniside brunch: where to brunch in Sunderland.
Best Restaurants in Sunderland
Where to eat in Sunderland city centre and Sunniside, from family-run Italian and pan-Asian cooking by the river to tacos, pho and pre-theatre dinners on High Street West.
Best Pubs in Sunderland
A guide to Sunderland's city-centre pubs, from the Grade II listed Dun Cow and the Peacock on High Street West to real ale locals on Green Terrace, Stockton Road and Silksworth Row.
Family & Children
Summer Sports Camps in Sunderland
Summer sports and activity camps for children in Sunderland, from Foundation of Light football courses at the Beacon of Light to multi-activity camps in Houghton and gymnastics in Washington.
Find a Tutor in Sunderland
Kumon in Pallion and Washington, MagiKats in Ashbrooke, Kip McGrath at Washington Library and swimming lessons: a practical guide to finding and checking a tutor in Sunderland.
Sunderland School Term Dates and Holidays 2026/27
When do Sunderland schools break up and go back? The 2026/27 term, half-term and holiday dates, with the key caveat that academies, church schools and INSET days can differ.
After-School Clubs and Kids' Classes in Sunderland
Gymnastics, climbing, drama, football, trampolining and swimming: the weekday and weekend clubs that Sunderland children can join outside school hours.
Children's Birthday Party Venues in Sunderland
Football in a 4G barn, climbing, skiing, trampolining and soft play: Sunderland venues that host children's birthday parties, with what each one offers.
Summer Holiday Activities for Kids in Sunderland
Holiday courses, beaches, country parks, wetlands, watersports and the Summer Reading Challenge: ways to fill the six-week break in Sunderland.
Rainbows, Brownies, Cubs and Scouts in Sunderland
How Scouts and Girlguiding are organised in Sunderland, the age sections from Squirrels and Rainbows upwards, where groups meet and how to join or volunteer.
Family Activities in Sunderland: Days Out, Indoor Fun and Weekly Clubs
Beaches, country parks, wetlands, castles, climbing, swimming and soft play: a family guide to Sunderland, with links to our detailed guides for each.
Nurseries in Sunderland: Day Nurseries Inspected in 2026
Private day nurseries across Sunderland, Washington and Hetton with an Ofsted report card from 2026, plus how funded hours work and how to read the new inspection grades.
Schools in Sunderland: Ofsted Results and How Admissions Work
A factual guide to Sunderland's state primary and secondary schools, sixth forms and college, with the latest Ofsted outcomes and how to apply through Sunderland City Council.
Playgrounds and Play Parks in Sunderland
Where to find playgrounds in Sunderland's parks, from Mowbray Park in the city centre to Roker, Barnes Park, Herrington and Hetton Lyons, with tips on combining a play stop with a day out.
Soft Play in Sunderland and Washington
Indoor soft play around Sunderland and Washington, from leisure centre play frames to independent play centres, a trampoline park and a community-run soft play, with ages and opening times.
Swimming in Sunderland: Pools and Lessons for Families
Public pools in Sunderland, Washington, Hetton and Silksworth, plus children's swimming lessons from swim@ and Swimtime, with facilities, opening times and tips for families.
Baby and Toddler Groups in Sunderland
Baby and toddler groups across Sunderland: Family Hub sessions, library rhyme times, church toddler groups, baby massage and messy play in Southwick, and Bloom Baby Classes.
Rainy Day Ideas for Families in Sunderland
Indoor things to do with children in Sunderland when it rains: Culture House, swimming, soft play, trampolining, the cinema, a pantomime at the Empire and smaller museums.
Sports & Fitness
A History of Sunderland AFC
The story of Sunderland AFC from a teachers' club in 1879 to the Stadium of Light: six league titles, two FA Cups, Roker Park, the 1973 final and where to see the history today.
A History of Roker Park
Sunderland AFC's home from 1898 to 1997: the Roker Roar, the Clock Stand, the 75,118 record crowd, the 1966 World Cup games and the housing estate that stands on the site now.
The Tyne-Wear Derby Explained
A guide to the Tyne-Wear derby between Sunderland and Newcastle United: where the rivalry comes from, the matches people still talk about and how to follow it today.
What Is a Mackem? The Word, the Accent and the Identity
What Mackem means, where the word may come from, how the Sunderland accent and dialect differ from Geordie, and a short glossary of Wearside words.
Martial Arts in Sunderland
Martial arts clubs in Sunderland for children and adults, covering kickboxing, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, MMA, self-defence and taekwondo in Southwick, Castletown and Washington.
Skate Parks in Sunderland
Where to skate, scoot and ride BMX in Sunderland, from the concrete park at Silksworth to Herrington Country Park, the BMX track at Hetton Lyons and plans in Houghton.
Football in Sunderland
A guide to football in Sunderland: watching SAFC and Sunderland AFC Women, the city's non-league clubs, where to play five-a-side and walking football, and the Fans Museum.
Running and Cycling in Sunderland
Where to run and ride in Sunderland: the seafront promenade, parkrun at Herrington, Sunderland Strollers and other clubs, the Silksworth track and the end of the C2C at Roker.
Yoga in Sunderland
Where to practise yoga in Sunderland, from a dedicated studio at the North East BIC and hot yoga at Silksworth to Iyengar classes in Ashbrooke and leisure centre sessions.
Personal Trainers in Sunderland
Where to find a personal trainer in Sunderland, from strongman coaching in Pallion to PTs at the city's leisure centres and 24-hour gyms, plus what to check before you book.
Gyms in Sunderland
Where to train in Sunderland, from an independent strength gym in Pallion and indoor climbing to council leisure centres and 24-hour chain gyms north and south of the Wear.
Match Day at the Stadium of Light: A Visitor's Guide
How to get to the Stadium of Light, where to drink and eat nearby, stadium tours, the Fans Museum, family areas, accessibility and concerts.
Parks & Nature
Allotments in Sunderland: How to Get a Plot
How allotments work in Sunderland: the council's 89 sites, who can apply, how the waiting list runs, association-managed sites, and what to expect once you are offered a plot.
Photography Spots in Sunderland: Where to Go and When
Where to take photographs in Sunderland, from Roker lighthouse at sunrise to Penshaw Monument at dusk, with notes on the best light, timing and access for each spot.
Parks and Green Spaces in Sunderland
Sunderland's parks, country parks and nature reserves, from Mowbray Park and Barnes Park in the city to Herrington, Hetton Lyons, Rainton Meadows and the Washington riverside.
Walks in Sunderland: Coast, River and Countryside Routes
Walks in and around Sunderland, from the Roker to Seaburn coast path and the River Wear to Penshaw Monument, Tunstall Hills, Rainton Meadows and the end of the C2C.
Dog-Friendly Sunderland: Beaches, Walks, Pubs and Cafes
A guide to Sunderland with a dog: the summer beach restrictions at Roker and Seaburn, dog walks at Penshaw, Rainton Meadows and the parks, and pubs and cafes that welcome dogs.
Roker and Seaburn: A Guide to Sunderland's Seafront
Sunderland's two seaside beaches, Roker Pier and its lighthouse, Roker Park, the promenade walk to Seaburn and where to eat and drink along the way.
Penshaw Monument and Herrington Country Park
A guide to Penshaw Monument, the 1844 Greek-temple folly on Penshaw Hill, and Herrington Country Park below it: history, the Lambton Worm, walks, parking and nearby visits.
Health & Wellbeing
Dentists in Sunderland
A guide to dental practices across Sunderland, from family practices in Grangetown and Fulwell to city centre surgeries, with advice on checking NHS availability.
Opticians in Sunderland
Where to get an eye test in Sunderland, from independent opticians in Southwick, Fulwell and Grangetown to high street practices in The Bridges and Washington.
Vets in Sunderland
A guide to veterinary practices in Sunderland and Washington, with opening hours, the services each offers and what to do if your pet needs help out of hours.
Heritage & History
The History of the Sunderland Empire Theatre
From Vesta Tilley's opening night in 1907 to Tommy Steele, the Beatles, Sid James and today's touring musicals: the story of the Sunderland Empire on High Street West.
St Peter's Church, Monkwearmouth and the Venerable Bede
The story of St Peter's, Monkwearmouth: Benedict Biscop's monastery of 674, the boyhood of Bede, the books made here, the layers of the building and how to visit today.
The Bridges of Sunderland: Crossing the Wear
A heritage guide to the bridges over the Wear in Sunderland, from the Wearmouth Bridge and the 1879 railway bridge to the Queen Alexandra Bridge, Northern Spire and Keel Crossing.
The Lambton Worm: Wearside's Dragon Legend
The Lambton Worm beyond the song: the two hills that claim the legend, the curse on the Lambton family, the 1867 song, Lambton Castle and where the worm turns up in books, film and football.
Shipbuilding on the Wear: The Yards, the Liberty Ship and the SD14
The story of Sunderland's shipyards, from Thomas Menville in 1346 to Thompson's Liberty ship design, the SD14 and the 1988 closure, with where to see the river's shipbuilding past today.
Coal Mining in Sunderland: Pits, Railways and the Miners' Legacy
Sunderland's coal mining story, from the Hetton Colliery Railway and the deep Monkwearmouth pit to Ryhope, Silksworth, Herrington and the Washington F Pit, with the memorials you can visit today.
Sunderland Glass and Pottery: From Bede's Windows to Pyrex and Lustreware
How Sunderland became a glassmaking and pottery town: Hartley's plate glass, Jobling's Pyrex, lustreware bridge jugs, the National Glass Centre years and the Glassworks planned for 2028.
Famous People from Sunderland: Inventors, Writers, Musicians and Footballers
From Joseph Swan and James Herriot to Dave Stewart, Kate Adie and Jordan Henderson, the people who grew up on Wearside and where to find their traces in the city today.
18 Interesting Facts About Sunderland
Eighteen checked facts about Sunderland, from Bede and a 7th-century glass workshop to the push-bar door, the Wearmouth Bridge, Roker lighthouse and the Stadium of Light.
A History of Sunderland's High Street: From the East End to Fawcett Street
How Sunderland's shopping streets grew from the old East End along High Street to Fawcett Street, with the stories of Binns, Joplings, the trams, the Empire and the city centre's recent changes.
Historic Trades of Sunderland: Ships, Coal, Glass, Pottery and Rope
The industries that built Sunderland, from salt pans and keelmen to shipyards, glassworks, lustreware potteries, the patent ropery, Vaux brewery and the last pit, with places to see their traces.
Sunderland on Screen: Film, TV and the Places Behind Them
Sunderland 'Til I Die, Premier Passions, the Empire premiere, Penshaw on television and the new Crown Works Studios: the city's screen story and the places you can visit.
Sunderland Heritage Walking Trail: A Self-Guided Route
A self-guided walk of about 4.5km through Sunderland's history, from St Peter's in Monkwearmouth over Wearmouth Bridge to Keel Square, Holy Trinity, Sunniside and Mowbray Park.
Historic Churches in Sunderland: Five Worth Visiting
Five historic Sunderland churches, from Benedict Biscop's St Peter's of 674 to Holy Trinity, the Minster, St Mary's and the Arts and Crafts interior of St Andrew's, Roker.
Museums in Sunderland: What Is Open in 2026
Where to find Sunderland's history while the Museum and Winter Gardens is closed until 2028 and the National Glass Centre has shut: football, steam, aircraft, castles and local archives.
Sunderland's Oldest Pubs: Historic Inns Still Pouring Today
Nine historic Sunderland pubs still trading in 2026, from the Grade II* tiled rooms of the Mountain Daisy to riverside Deptford locals and the Edwardian bars of High Street West.
Lost Buildings of Sunderland: What Stood Here Before
The Town Hall, Binns, Joplings, the Havelock cinema, Roker Park, Vaux and the old Central station: the Sunderland buildings that have gone, with dates and what stands on the sites now.
Sunderland in the Second World War: Shipyards, Raids and Memory
How Sunderland's shipyards fed the war effort, why the town was bombed from 1940 to 1943, which buildings were lost, and where the war is remembered in the city today.
A Short History of Sunderland
From Bede and the Wearmouth monastery to shipbuilding, Nissan, city status and Riverside Sunderland: thirteen centuries of history on the Wear, and where to see it today.
Community
Sunderland's Music Scene: Bands, Venues and Where to See a Gig
The Futureheads, Field Music, Frankie & The Heartstrings and Kenickie, plus Pop Recs, The Bunker, Independent, the Fire Station and the Stadium of Light: a guide to live music in Sunderland.
Nissan Sunderland: 40 Years of the Car Plant on the Old Airfield
The story of Nissan's Sunderland plant, from the 1984 agreement and the first Bluebird in 1986 to the Qashqai, Juke and LEAF built there today and the EV36Zero battery and renewables hub.
Physiotherapists in Sunderland
Private physiotherapy clinics in Sunderland, from a long-running practice on Grange Terrace to sports injury clinics in Roker, Farringdon, Doxford Park and the university.
Massage in Sunderland
Where to book a massage in Sunderland, from a family-run massage centre on Blandford Street to sports massage at physio clinics in Roker, Doxford Park and Farringdon.
Dog Groomers in Sunderland
Dog grooming in the Sunderland area, from a family-run salon on Bell Street in Washington to the Groom Room at Galleries Retail Park and a pet care centre with a cat salon.
Best Plumbers in Sunderland
Gas Safe registered heating firms on Sunderland Enterprise Park and near Houghton-le-Spring, plus an independent plumbers' merchant where you can see bathrooms and buy parts.
Best Electricians in Sunderland
Three NICEIC registered electrical contractors with business addresses in Washington, Sunderland Enterprise Park and Ashbrooke, covering rewires, EICRs, EV chargers and commercial work.
Best Builders in Sunderland
Three Sunderland building firms with business premises, from a family builder and roofer in Hendon to a whole-renovation contractor at North Sands and an owner-led team in Monkwearmouth.
How to Find a Good Tradesperson in Sunderland
A practical checklist for hiring plumbers, electricians and builders in Sunderland: which registers to check, how to compare quotes, deposits, your legal rights and where to get help.
Wedding Venues in Sunderland
Licensed wedding venues in Sunderland, from seafront hotels at Roker and Seaburn to a Georgian ropery, riverside stables, Hylton Castle and the register office at City Hall.
Best Hotels in Sunderland
Where to stay in Sunderland, from seafront hotels at Roker and Seaburn to city-centre budget rooms, a hotel beside the Stadium of Light and a golf and spa hotel in Washington.
Learning to Drive in Sunderland
A practical guide to learning to drive in Sunderland: provisional licence, theory and practical test fees, the River Bank Road test centre, local driving schools and choosing an instructor.
Working Remotely in Sunderland: Libraries, Cafes and Coworking
Where to work remotely in Sunderland, from the City Library at Culture House and laptop-friendly cafes to hot desks at the Software Centre and serviced coworking at Doxford.
Solicitors in Sunderland
A guide to solicitors in Sunderland and Washington, from the John Street legal quarter to The Galleries, covering conveyancing, wills, family, criminal and injury work.
Accountants in Sunderland
A guide to chartered accountants in Sunderland, from a long-established Stockton Road practice to a family firm at The Yard and a cloud-based firm on the Enterprise Park.
Financial Advisers in Sunderland
Where to find regulated financial advice in Sunderland, from a Doxford Park planning firm to a Stockton Road adviser and a city-centre building society branch.
Estate Agents in Sunderland
A guide to estate and letting agents in Sunderland, from a family agency on Fawcett Street and Sea Road to Frederick Street and an Athenaeum Street surveying firm.
Business Support in Sunderland
Where to get help starting or growing a business in Sunderland, from the North East BIC and the council's Business Investment Team to the Growth Hub and local networks.
Who Represents You in Sunderland: MPs, Councillors and the Mayor
A plain-English, non-partisan guide to who represents Sunderland: the three MPs, your ward councillors, who now runs Sunderland City Council, the North East Mayor, and how to register to vote.
Volunteering in Sunderland: Groups, Charities and How to Get Involved
Where to start volunteering in Sunderland, from the city's volunteering support charities and food banks to litter picks, Friends groups, mental health charities and youth groups.
Meditation and Mindfulness in Sunderland
Where to learn meditation and mindfulness in Sunderland, from studio classes at Sunderland Enterprise Park and Ashbrooke to NHS support, local mental health charities and quiet places to practise.
Best Areas and Streets to Live in Sunderland
Popular places to live in Sunderland, from Ashbrooke and Roker to Seaburn, Fulwell, East Herrington and Washington, with recent sold-price context and transport links.
Independent Shops in Sunderland
A guide to independent shops in Sunderland, from a family furniture store on Holmeside to florists on Sea Road and Kayll Road and bakeries in Fulwell and the city centre.
Charity Shops in Sunderland
Where to find charity shops in Sunderland, Washington and Houghton-le-Spring, grouped by area, with what each sells, opening times and how to donate.
Supermarkets in Sunderland
A guide to the main supermarkets in Sunderland and Washington, from Tesco Extra on Newcastle Road to Aldi, Lidl and Morrisons, plus the indoor Market Hall in the city centre.
Care Homes in Sunderland
A guide to choosing a care home in Sunderland, with seven CQC-registered homes and their latest inspection ratings, plus how assessments and funding work.
Counselling in Sunderland
How to find counselling in Sunderland, from NHS Talking Therapies self-referral to local charities Sunderland Counselling Service, Sunderland Mind and Washington Mind.
Free Things to Do in Sunderland
Beaches and Roker Pier, Penshaw Monument, city parks, Culture House, Hylton Castle's grounds and the Fans Museum: free things to do in Sunderland that cost nothing to enjoy.
Moving to Sunderland: A Practical Guide
Neighbourhoods, housing, council tax, schools, transport and the changing city centre: a practical guide for anyone moving to Sunderland or thinking about it.
Council Services in Sunderland: Bins, Council Tax and More
Bin days, garden waste, recycling centres, council tax, parking permits, libraries, registering a birth and reporting problems: a guide to council services in Sunderland.
Things to Do in Sunderland: The Complete Guide
From Roker Pier and the Seaburn sands to the Empire, Culture House, Penshaw Monument and St Peter's Church, a practical guide to things to do in Sunderland.
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