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. placeholder image
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

From city's smallest museum to footy gems: I love these 7 great museums to visit in Sunderland

By Katy Wheeler

Lifestyle Editor

Published 25th Feb 2026, 10:45 GMT
Updated 25th Feb 2026, 16:35 GMT

From the city’s smallest museum in Roker to a museum that honours aviation and military history, Sunderland has some real historical gems worth visiting.

Here’s a round up of the city’s museums to check out, in no particular order, if you’re planning some days out.

The city's biggest museum is Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens, which offers a great insight into the city's industrial and social past. It's also set for a major revamp as part of a £13.6 million, four-year project to permanently transform the site. The project includes a successful bid of £5.2 million from The National Lottery Heritage Fund supporting the project, which will transform the Grade II-listed site as library services move to the new Culture House venue at Keel Square later this year.

5. Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens

The city's biggest museum is Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens, which offers a great insight into the city's industrial and social past. It's also set for a major revamp as part of a £13.6 million, four-year project to permanently transform the site. The project includes a successful bid of £5.2 million from The National Lottery Heritage Fund supporting the project, which will transform the Grade II-listed site as library services move to the new Culture House venue at Keel Square later this year. | LDRS

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Nowhere holds more memories of the city’s proud maritime past than Sunderland Maritime Heritage. Based in one of Sunderland’s oldest areas, Church Street East in the East End, it’s a fascinating foray into Wearside history, full to the brim with models, artefacts, photographs and documents including its mascot, HMS Venerable, a 1/10th scale model of local hero Jack Crawford’s ship, built with great attention to detail by members and volunteers. It's open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from`10am to 2pm and entry is free. They welcome visitors and can conduct guided tours

6. Sunderland Maritime Heritage, East End

Nowhere holds more memories of the city’s proud maritime past than Sunderland Maritime Heritage. Based in one of Sunderland’s oldest areas, Church Street East in the East End, it’s a fascinating foray into Wearside history, full to the brim with models, artefacts, photographs and documents including its mascot, HMS Venerable, a 1/10th scale model of local hero Jack Crawford’s ship, built with great attention to detail by members and volunteers. It's open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from`10am to 2pm and entry is free. They welcome visitors and can conduct guided tours | Sunderland Echo

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Not technically a museum, but the city's National Glass Centre honours our glassmaking heritage brilliantly, with a permanent exhibition as well as glassblowing demos and workshops. The fight continues to save the Glass Centre, which is being closed by owners University of Sunderland, but it's open Mondays to Saturdays until its planned closure in July 2026.

7. National Glass Centre, St Peter's

Not technically a museum, but the city's National Glass Centre honours our glassmaking heritage brilliantly, with a permanent exhibition as well as glassblowing demos and workshops. The fight continues to save the Glass Centre, which is being closed by owners University of Sunderland, but it's open Mondays to Saturdays until its planned closure in July 2026. | Sunderland Echo

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It's currently closed, but there's big plans for Washington F Pit, which honours our mining heritage. The last visible remnant of ‘F’ pit, which at its peak produced almost half-a-million tons of coal a year, the industrial museum in Albany is set for a transformation to broaden its offering. It includes repairs, new exhibition spaces, a play area and new cafe and visitor centre. All going to plan, it would see the museum reopen in summer, 2027.

8. Coming soon

It's currently closed, but there's big plans for Washington F Pit, which honours our mining heritage. The last visible remnant of ‘F’ pit, which at its peak produced almost half-a-million tons of coal a year, the industrial museum in Albany is set for a transformation to broaden its offering. It includes repairs, new exhibition spaces, a play area and new cafe and visitor centre. All going to plan, it would see the museum reopen in summer, 2027. | Sunderland City Council/LDRS

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