Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens
With a National Art Pass you get
Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens combines a museum, art gallery, exhibition space and Winter Gardens to create a stunning visitor attraction in the city centre.
Discover all things Sunderland at this cultural gem offering diverse exhibits, acclaimed art exhibitions, engaging activities and tropical Winter Gardens. The fine and decorative art, science & industry, maritime and natural sciences collections are all recognised by the Museums Association as being of national importance.
Explore the Art Gallery
Admire a collection of 19th- and 20th-century art, including a significant collection of works by LS Lowry, a renowned English artist known for his depictions of industrial landscapes and working-class life, who spent a lot of time in Sunderland.
Discover the city’s industrial past
Learn about the industries that shaped Sunderland, from shipbuilding to glass making. The Coal Gallery tells the story of coal mining in the North East and there is a whole room dedicated to Sunderland Lustreware pottery, a unique type of pottery produced locally, known for its iridescent glaze. You will also find the first Nissan car produced at the Sunderland factory in 1986.
Roam the Winter Gardens
Extended in the early 2000s, the glass rotunda that is the Winter Gardens is home to over 2,000 plants, a pond full of Koi Carp, and a tree top walkway with views over Mowbray Park.
Activities for all ages
The museum often hosts interactive events and creative workshops designed to engage children, families and adults alike.
Don’t forget to get a selfie with Wallace the Lion, who’s been at the museum for over 135 years!
Visitor information
Address
Burdon Road, Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, SR1 1PP
01915 612323
Opening times
Monday – Friday, 9.30am-5pm*: Museum Shop, Ground Floor Galleries and Library
*Late night opening on Wednesday until 7pm.
Monday – Friday 10am-4pm: Upper level galleries including the Art and Special Exhibitions Galleries, Winter Gardens and Bennelli’s Cafe
Saturday, 10am – 4pm
Sunday, Closed
Exclusions and safety measures
See website for the most up to date information regarding opening times and the additional measures in place for the safety of visitors and staff.
Visitor information
Museums nearby
The more you see, the more we do.
The National Art Pass lets you enjoy free entry to hundreds of museums, galleries and historic places across the UK, while raising money to support them.