Here’s a round up of the city’s museums to check out, in no particular order, if you’re planning some days out.
1. The Fans Museum, Monkwearmouth
Everyone in the city will be familiar with the former Monkwearmouth Station but some still don't realise it's now a museum housing the world's largest collection of SAFC memorabilia as well as other footballing artefacts, which rotate regularly. It's free to visit and is open 10am to 4pm Mondays to Fridays. | Sunderland Echo
2. Ryhope Engines Museum
The Ryhope Engines Museum is based on the former Ryhope Pumping Station which provided water to Wearside for 100 years. During steaming weekends, volunteers offer a unique opportunity to see the mighty Victorian beam engines working under steam power as they have since 1868. The next steaming weekend will be for Easter from April 3-6. And from Easter to December, it's open as a static attraction from 2pm to 5pm. Entry is free. | Sunderland Echo
3. NELSAM, Washington
Sunderland's North East Land, Sea and Air Museum (NELSAM) gives a fascinating insight into our aviation history. Founded in 1974, the Old Washington Road museum, on the site of the former RAF Usworth/Sunderland Airport, marked its golden jubilee in 2024. Among its exhibits is a cold war Avro Vulcan B2 Bomber, which flew into the former airport to become the first Vulcan to go into private collection. Its open daily from 10am - 4pm. Admission price applies. | Sunderland Echo
4. The Watch House in Roker
Sunderland's smallest museum is the Watch House in Roker. The headquarters of the Sunderland Volunteer Life Brigade, it has a wealth of information on the brigade's work and the rescues it has carried out over the past 130 years. As well as the many photographs on display, there are artefacts from some of the ships wrecked off the coast and a variety of examples of rescue equipment used by the Brigade. It's open on Saturdays in the warmer months from 10am to 1pm. Keep an eye out on its Facebook page. | Sunderland Echo