History & Heritage
In Sunderland, we're proud of where we came from and we celebrate our past.
Since the 7th century, when St Peter's Church at Monkweamouth was the home of the Venerable Bede, and played a key role in the development of early Christianity, Sunderland has been world famous for many things - shipbuilding, glass making, coal mining to name a few.
Our hard-working people, from the monks of the Anglo-Saxon monastery of Wearmouth-Jarrow, to the miners and shipbuilders who kept the wheels of industrial Britain moving, are proud of our roots and keen to share our rich heritage.
Hylton Castle is a distinctive and highly decorative gatehouse-tower of a castle. The castle was built by the wealthy Sir William Hylton, shortly before 1400. Originally containing four floors of family accommodation, its entrance front displays royal and family heraldry, including Richard II's...
Keel Square at the heart of Sunderland city centre plays host to many events and is a place full of Sunderland’s heritage.
The square, which was recently built and named by the public, celebrates Sunderland’s shipbuilding heritage with the ‘Keel Line’ and the ‘Propellers of the City’. The ‘Keel...
The volunteers at the North East Land Sea and Air Museum have created several collections in one museum.
The North East Aircraft Museum has a diverse collection of aircraft; from passnger aircraft to training planes and a mighty Vulcan.
The Military Vehicle Museum has a collection of smaller...
Get some fresh air and and take in stunning views from this 70-foot high monument, at the top of Penshaw Hill.
The monument, built in 1844, is a half-size replica of the Temple of Hephaestus in Athens and can be seen for miles around. It's one of Sunderland's best loved landmarks and even appears...
Sunderland’s landmark Roker Pier and lighthouse are Grade II listed and when opened in 1903 the structure was hailed as a true 'triumph of engineering' no mean feat in an era which saw the construction of Brunel’s Clifton Suspension Bridge and Paxton’s Crystal Palace.
The original lantern was gas...
The Ryhope Engines Museum is based on the Ryhope Pumping Station which was built in 1868 to supply water to the Sunderland area. The station ceased operation in 1967 - after 100 years of continuous use.
The Museum is now regarded as one of the finest industrial monuments in the North East of...
The inside of this church has many treasures including William Morris carpets, Ernest Grimson furniture and the painted ceiling in the sanctuary depicting the creation of the sun and stars which is painted in ‘egg-tempera’
Sometimes known as 'the cathedral of the arts and crafts movement', St...
Meet the dragons, discover why there were riots in the graveyard, and discover who Black Douglas was.
St Michael and All Angels Church is of Saxon foundation, the Saxon doorway and walls were discovered during excavations in 2008. The Saxon doorway can be viewed through a glass panel in the floor....
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Did you know?
Roker beach is home to the unique 'cannonball' rock formations that were the inspiration for the seafront 'pods'.
