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Find out more about the city of Sunderland and the North East. There's so much for you to explore in this area, from our stunning beaches to our rich cultural heritage. Sunderland is a fantastic city with something for everyone.
After you’ve settled into your new home you’ll start looking outside of your immediate surroundings and begin exploring more of the city of Sunderland and beyond.
We’re incredibly lucky to be situated in the heart of North East England, an area that is packed with amazing landscapes, beaches, museums and historic landmarks.
As Sunderland is a coastal city, we’re perfectly located for visiting some of the best beaches in the region.
Both Roker and Seaburn beach have been awarded the fantastic Blue Flag status meaning that they are amongst the best quality beaches in the UK. You can easily take a scenic stroll along the stretching promenades just a 20-minute walk away from our St Peter’s Campus. There’s plenty of places nearby to grab a snack and relax and we’d recommend witnessing a sunrise or sunset on the sands.
Venturing a bit further afield but still reachable via the Tyne and Wear Metro is the beautiful town of Tynemouth. Tynemouth is popular year-round with visitors and it’s easy to understand why. King Edwards Bay is a sheltered sandy bay overlooked by the historic Tynemouth Priory and Castle. If that’s not enough, Tynemouth Longsands has over a mile of sandy beach to enjoy a walk by the ocean.
The North East attracts visitors from across the globe to some of the region’s most historic and significant landmarks. As a student at the University of Sunderland, so many of these locations are within easy reach.
Souter Lighthouse is one of the most iconic landmarks in the North East and has a fascinating history associated with it. The lighthouse was the first in the world to be powered by electricity, and because of this it was considered the most modern of it’s day. You can hop on the bus from Sunderland city centre and it will pass by the lighthouse.
The dramatic Penshaw Monument sits high on Penshaw Hill in Sunderland with fantastic views of the surrounding areas. You’ll have to climb up over a hundred steps to reach the monument, but the panoramic views of the North East are definitely worth it! The structure is designed to replicate a smaller-sized version of the Temple of Hephaestus in Athens.
The Angel of the North has become an iconic symbol for the North East of England, since 1998 the sculpture has been signalling to travellers that they have almost reached Newcastle and Gateshead. The Angel also provides a fantastic spot for a day out too – you can easily reach the spot by public transport and the hillside spot is perfect for a picnic amongst scenic views.
Alnwick Castle might look a bit familiar to avid fans of the Harry Potter franchise. This extravagant castle provided the location for several courtyard scenes in the film series. You might also have spotted this location in Downton Abbey or Transformers - to name a couple more! There’s so much more to discover on a day out here, from the historic regal rooms inside, to the picturesque grounds in The Alnwick Garden.
If you’re looking to get lost walking around a museum for a few hours, we’ve got you covered! There’s plenty to spark your interest in Sunderland and beyond.
The Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens is filled with objects and spaces with direct links to the history of Sunderland. Inside you’ll find that the building houses a museum, art gallery and exhibition space with so much to explore. You can study pottery made historically in the local area or take a closer look at the first Nissan car to be built at their factory in Sunderland in the 1980s. The Winter Gardens is filled to the brim with tropical plant life and from the walkway you can enjoy views of Mowbray Park.
Glass making is an area of historic importance to the City of Sunderland and the National Glass Centre continues this tradition. The centre is run by the University of Sunderland, and glass and ceramics students will have access to well-equipped workspaces and exhibition areas. The centre is also open to visitors who come from all over the world to witness some of the fascinating exhibits and daily hot glass demonstrations.
Beamish is probably unlike any museum you’ve visited before. As one of the world’s most famous open-air museums you’ll walk right into a living history of North East England through the years. As you explore the museum, you’ll work your way through locations modelled on the 1890s, 1900s, 1940s and 1950s. The settings including houses, shops and a school that will bring the fascinating history of this region to life.
This bucket list of things to do in Sunderland and the North East is to help you get started exploring everything this fantastic area has to offer. During your time as a student here you’ll develop your favourite places to visit and we’d love to hear about them from you!