Things to do in Sunderland

In a city where football is religion, one stadium looms large. Home to Sunderland AFC, The Stadium of Light often welcomes a capacity crowd, even since the team has dropped into the lower divisions. To experience a match day is to experience true passion from some of football’s most die-hard fans.

Home to one of the largest theatres in the North, The Empire, Sunderland has a proud and long-standing arts and theatre scene which has attracted some of the planet’s biggest names in entertainment, from Charlie Chaplin to The Beatles.

Thanks to its bid to become the UK City of Culture in 2021, Sunderland’s culture scene is thriving more than ever before. With eclectic galleries, museums telling the stories of Sunderland’s proud industrial past and an exciting events calendar, there’s plenty to discover in this city on the sea.

Sunderland offers a heady range of entertainment opportunities so you’ll never have a dull moment during your stay, whether you’re dancing to your favourite music stars, cheering on your team from the terraces or enjoying what’s on stage at one of the city’s three theatres.

From historic buildings, pioneering lighthouses to castles dating back to the Norman conquest, sprawling country parkland and neat city centre green spaces, and, of course, the beating heart of the football-mad city, The Stadium of Light, there’s plenty to do and see in Sunderland.

Away from The Bridges shopping mecca selling high street favourites, you’ll find little pockets of the proud community doing their part to bring you a unique, local shopping experience. From markets to one-of-a-kind crafts and gifts to specialist independent retailers, there’s something for every taste.

You’ve got plenty to keep you busy during your visit, whether you’re enjoying the Blue Flag beaches and country parks or you’re in need of some indoor activities, be they heart-pumping thrills on a trampoline or breaking out of an escape room.

You can eat your way all through the day thanks to Sunderland’s vast assortment of cosy cafés and restaurants, serving hearty breakfasts, tasty light bites and fine dining spots with cuisines from all over the world.

It might be the noisy neighbour of Newcastle but the night is always young where Sunderland is concerned thanks to its heady roster of karaoke bars, gin joints and clubs playing floor fillers into the small hours.

Sunderland is a city with a proud manufacturing heritage and there’s a wide range of museums to catch you up, as well as the ever-impressive North East Land, Sea and Air Museum which gives a glimpse into the city’s wartime past.

With Newcastle airport just down the road, good train links heading North and South and a hop off the A1(M), Sunderland is easy to get to and even easier to get around thanks to the Tyne and Wear Metro.

Our Sunderland hotels are ideally situated for exploring the city and the coastline - and also taking in the cultural scene, including  the National Glass Centre and Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art.