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Historic Towns & Picturesque Villages

Misty March morning

Rotherham

in the county of South Yorkshire

Pictures of Sunderland

in the county of Tyne & Wear

About Sunderland

For over a thousand years a port has existed at the mouth of the Wear but the major ship-building industry that grew up from this, has now gone.

Sunderland was granted a charter in 1145, the charter gave it market rights and thus the town grew slowly from humble beginnings. In the 14th-century, many towns-folk died from the black death and the town was slow to recover. However, the port continued to thrive and by the 18th-century there was a ship-building industry in Sunderland. The industry was to develop on a massive scale and by the 19th-century Sunderland had gained world wide respect for it's huge ship-building operations. As with many other northern town's, Sunderland had it's full share of suffering in the great depression of the 1930's but rose again to enjoy a period of development and stability until the 1980's when ship-building declined and came to an end.

Rope, Glass, Pottery and Coal, have been major industries in Sunderland. The last colliery closed in 1993 and Sunderland Pottery operated from about 1807 to 1865 when it was noted for fine lustre-ware. In the auctions of today, a rare, highly prized piece of Sunderland lustre-ware, can fetch a high price.

One of the features of the town is the soaring arch of Wearmouth bridge which stands in start contrast to the railway bridge close-by. The bridge was built in 1927 and carries a medallion showing the cast iron bridge of 1796, which the new bridge replaced. Another feature is the church of St.Peter, one of Northumbria's oldest churches. At Monkswearmouth you will find the railway museum which is open daily and housed in a building dated 1848. The museum recalls the romance af the age of steam, it has an elegant Edwardian, booking office and a collection of wonderful old locomotives.

Today, Sunderland is a lively city that has much to do with business and commerce. It has an interesting City centre that offers visitors a wide cutlural experience. There are museums, art galleries, fine hotels and restaurants, sporting facilities, shops and plenty of inns. To the seaward side of the city, the resorts of Roker and Seaburn merge and there is a pleasant sandy bay. This is truly a city of the 21st-century that has something for everyone.

Recommended towns & villages near Sunderland

The Grey Horse Pub, Penshaw, County Durham

Penshaw (34 Pictures) in the county of Tyne & Wear

(4.5 miles, 7.2 km, direction SW of Sunderland)

Penshaw lies in open countryside between the urban sprawl of Sunderland and Washington...

The Vikings, Jarrow, Tyne & Wear

Jarrow (4 Pictures) in the county of Tyne & Wear

(6.4 miles, 10.3 km, direction NW of Sunderland)

This is the town that is famous for the 1930's "Hunger March" caused by the intense poverty that followed the closing of the Charles Palmer shipyard. The last of the surviving marchers, Cornelius Whalen died in 2003 at the age of 93...

Cullercoats harbour. Tyne & Wear

Cullercoats (4 Pictures) in the county of Tyne & Wear

(8.9 miles, 14.3 km, direction N of Sunderland)

Cullercoats has many pleasing aspects including a picturesque 19th century church in a commanding position close to the shoreline...

Millenium Eye, Newcastle upon Tyne

Newcastle upon Tyne (330 Pictures) a Historic City in the county of Tyne & Wear

(10.5 miles, 17.0 km, direction NW of Sunderland)

This important City was known as Pons Aelii in Roman times; the Romans built the first bridge over the River Tyne, it was guarded by a Roman fort which was replaced by a castle.....

Beamish, County Durham: Tram

Beamish (94 Pictures) in the county of County Durham

(10.6 miles, 17.1 km, direction W of Sunderland)

Beamish is famous for its lovely open-air museum which so vividly brings to life how the folk of the region lived at the turn of the 20th century...

All towns & villages in Tyne & Wear
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Nearby attractions..

Mowbray Park, Sunderland

Mowbray Park (6 Pictures)

(0.2 miles, 0.3 km)

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Hylton Castle, Sunderland, tyne & WEAR

Hylton Castle (15 Pictures)

(2.3 miles, 3.8 km, direction NW)

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Arbeia Roman Fort at the Lawe Top in South Shields

Arbeia Roman Fort (4 Pictures)

(7.0 miles, 11.3 km, direction N)

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Tynemouth Castle, England

Tynemouth Castle (9 Pictures)

(7.6 miles, 12.2 km, direction N)

The haunting, intermingaled ruins of Tynemouth Castle and Priory stand on a headland above the River Tyne. Between them they.....

Lumley Castle, Chester-le-Street, County Durham

Lumley Castle (8 Pictures)

(7.7 miles, 12.3 km, direction SW)

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Tynemouth Priory, Tynemouth

Tynemouth Priory (13 Pictures)

(7.9 miles, 12.7 km, direction N)

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Angel Of The North at Gateshead

Angel of the North (42 Pictures)

(9.3 miles, 14.9 km, direction W)

Britain's largest sculpture, The Angel of the North weighs in at 208 tonnes and stands 20 metres high. It was based on artist.....


All attractions in Sunderland
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