Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens

I grew up in Sunderland, and moved away when I was 12 years old. The old museum and Library had always been a part of my life up until then. I would visit every Saturday with my Grandmother to visit the library and then up to the cafe for a cup of tea and a cake. Since moving away 20 years ago I hadn't been back to the building until recently. Prompted by my Grans insistence I MUST visit, I went along and was shocked at the change I found. ~ A brief history of Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens ~ Sunderland was the first town or city out of London to have a publicly funded museum. Established in 1846, it soon outgrew it's building ...  Read the complete review

I went to university in Sunderland and found that if I ever needed to chill out between reading sessions this was the best place to visit. The museum is very easy to get to and is situated literally just around the corner from the city centre metro train station and not far from the Park Lane main bus interchange. It is also near to The Bridges shopping centre. The museum also overlooks the beautiful Mowbray Park - an unmissable attraction if you are ever visiting the museum. The park is choc full of brilliant modern art sculptures and historic monuments. There are safe play areas for children and hills to climb where you can get fantastic views ...  Read the complete review

Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens opened to the public in July 2001 following two years of redevelopment work paid for by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. One of the most visited museums outside the capital, it stands on the edge of the Victorian Mowbray Park a short walk from the Bridges Shopping Centre and the Metro link to Newcastle. At the glazed entrance, a gift shop extends to the right and Museum Street commences directly ahead. The first display is of Sunderland Heroes - campaign medals and a small memorial to the 197 men of the 125th Anti - Tank Regiment who were killed or imprisoned at the fall of Singapore, England caps and club medals ...  Read the complete review