Garden project blooms ahead of £13m redevelopment of Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens
The flagship venue is set to close later this year for its biggest redevelopment in years.
Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens is set for a major revamp as part of an estimated £13.6 million, four-year, project to totally transform the site.
As well as relocating the museum’s main entrance to Mowbray Park, the four-year redevelopment programme is set to include new exhibition galleries and displays, a new community learning facility and improvements to the Winter Gardens, external landscape and accessible spaces for the public.
It means the venue will close for capital works later this year, expected to be from November 2026, but there is a four-year activity programme running in tandem, from 2026 to 2030, to ensure people still have access to arts and cultural events.
Among them is a recent yarn bombing celebration in Mowbray Park Community Garden, which is the space to the left of the museum on Borough Road.
Led by Susan Gibson and Michelle Hill from local crafting groups The Knitting Hinnies, Howay Crochet and Canny Crafters, alongside museum staff and visiting families, more than 300 handcrafted knitted and crocheted flowers were installed throughout the space.
The event followed an open call earlier this spring as part of the museum’s redevelopment engagement programme, inviting local people to get involved.
The display will remain in Mowbray Park Community Garden until Monday, July 20, before moving to Usworth Park in Washington as part of the Little Onions summer activity programme.
Yarn bombing is one of a series of community-led initiatives designed to engage residents in the lead-up to major capital works on the museum building.
Councillor Ciera Hudspith, Cabinet Member for Culture, Tourism and Heritage at Sunderland City Council, said: “This fantastic yarn bombing event is exactly what the redevelopment of Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens is all about and that is bringing people together, celebrating creativity and making our culture accessible to all residents.
“Our four-year programme isn’t just about transforming the building; it’s about working with communities right across Sunderland to co-create something truly special. It’s wonderful to see so many people already getting involved and helping shape what the future of the museum will look like.”
The project also forms part of the ongoing Wildlife in Wool series, which will continue to offer opportunities for people to take part.
The next theme invites contributions inspired by the coast and sea, including knitted, crocheted or felted creations such as gulls, crabs, oysters, fish and mermaids.
Contributions can be dropped off at Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens until Friday, August 7, with the next yarn bombing event scheduled for Thursday, August 20 in Mowbray Park Community Garden.
*The ambitious four-year redevelopment and activity programme (2026–2030) is led by Sunderland City Council and supported by major investment from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Wolfson Foundation and other partners.