Sunderland Museum, Winter Gardens image

Sunderland Museum, Winter Gardens

Tourist attraction Museum Garden

One of the Most Revieweds in Sunderland


Address

Burdon Rd, Sunderland SR1 1PP, United Kingdom

Website

sunderlandculture.org.uk

Contact

+44 191 561 2323

Rating on Google Maps

4.40 (2.4K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Wednesday: 9:30 AM to 7 PM
  • Thursday: 9:30 AM to 5 PM
  • Friday: 9:30 AM to 5 PM
  • Saturday: 10 AM to 4 PM
  • Sunday: Closed
  • Monday: 9:30 AM to 5 PM
  • Tuesday: 9:30 AM to 5 PM

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: museum (26) visit (19) gardens (15) cafe (12) interesting (12) Great (10) winter (9) Sunderland (9) nice (9) lovely (8)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 David R. 2 years ago on Google
    Winter Gardens very impressive and cleverly integrated into museum and cafe. Well set out exhibits with impressive art gallery section. Good food in cafe and reasonably priced.
    6 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Janet T. 1 year ago on Google
    Loved it, like McDonald's 😍 Educational, interesting and so much to buy in the gift shop. Unfortunately the cafe and toilets was closed because of plumbing issues. Didn't spoil the day.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 George S. 2 years ago on Google
    Great place 2 visit,you can walk around winter Gardens admire wildlife in lake,or go inside museum and look at numeral exhibitions, + look at art galleries,had a fantastic day with family,+ enjoyed meal at cafe looking over lake will be back
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Ajiboye O. 1 year ago on Google
    The museum tells a lot about the history of Sunderland and it's local heroes. So many items on display with their descriptions. The museum holds the first car produced by Nissan in UK, the Nissan Bluebird. The winter garden blows my mind everytime. I've been there a couple of times, and everytime I learn something new. Make sake sure you check it out whenever you are in Sunderland. Entry is free.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Miles M. 2 years ago on Google
    A veritable medley of small exhibitions across the four floors of this old building covering art, natural history, modern and contemporary history. The museum bears testament to a proud past where this area thrived through it's ship building, coal mining and pottery in the 19th & 20th Centuries. These three seperate exhibitions therefore represent the stand out features of this museum. Additionally you have an art gallery with lots of Lowry paintings/drawings and the Winter gardens; a large tropical greenhouse bolted onto the side of the Museum building. Good facilities at this venue with toilets, library, meeting areas and a caffe. There is a lift to all floors allowing for disabled access.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Lice 1 year ago on Google
    Nice place to kill an hour or two. Not the museums fault, but beware of screaming kids and groups of obnoxiously loud teenagers. Aside from that loved the Grayson Perry exhibition!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Isha 3 years ago on Google
    Its a good place for kids to go and learn interesting educational stuff.. It had a library and lots of activities are regularly going on for all. The museum is accessible friendly♿The staff is welcoming and polite and helpful. You can even buy soviniers here. The cafe is good too!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Glynis B. 1 year ago on Google
    A lovely bus driver suggested a visit and so glad we took his recommendation. The museum is full of interesting and informative displays. Particularly impressive, especially for youngsters, was the coal mining gallery. The cafe provides delicious drinks and food. The actual winter garden is so impressive and stunning in its surroundings. And guess what?!! Its free!!!!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 anna s. 2 years ago on Google
    Really nice place to have a coffe or a meal and walk around the inside gardens!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Michael H. 2 years ago on Google
    This is a really nice place to visit inside the grounds they have got a memorial to people who were in the Armed forces all around the outside on the wall and footpath are plaques with names rank and service numbers along with the cap badge of the Branch they served in they all saround a high memorial column very thought provoking, in the main building is a library and the entrance to a hot house of the sort we used to see in a lot of public parks throughout the country inside are a large amount of trees and plants that you don't normally see growing, also on entering the building there's a Caffè that serves hot and cold food with a large choice of drinks including cocktails with some lovely names as they are licensed to sell alcohol you can sit outside and look at the small lake with a fountain plus a statue of a walrus! all in all it's a very interesting place to visit.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Indu M. 1 year ago on Google
    Kids🧒 and adults👩‍🦳 both definitely love❤️ this place. From entrance🚪 to exit more exciting😃 to see everything. About Sunderland history, winter Gardens🌳 fish🐟 and Dinosaur🦕,Primordial 🦖to morden period💻, world's alive,lost world🌍, emerge glass art 🎨and fashion exhibition,gallery🖼, library📚, cafe☕️, coal🚂 art,museum shop🛒,animal Bones🦴 and skulls 💀Quest⁉️ and etc... 🔛
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Bridget Wilson H. 1 year ago on Google
    Café was nice and was the Winter Gardens too but shame that it closes so early (4pm). A member of staff gave my grandson some fish food and he loved feeding the koi! Shop was excellent too
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Sarah M. 1 year ago on Google
    Unfortunately most of their cacti are dead but they've left them and all the plants that over hang, people have torn and ripped. Lift wasn't working so couldn't visit the top walk.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 alan s. 11 months ago on Google
    Great place to visit very informative of the places around Sunderland and all free to enter
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Allyson D. 10 months ago on Google
    Great place to spend a wet Bank Holiday Monday. Lots of interesting exhibits from Mining to Glass and Shipbuilding to Pottery. Loved the life through the 20th century exhibit. The Winter Garden is lovely with some very impressive plants. Not so keen on the cheap plastic dinosaurs, though, and I'm not convinced they do much to keep children interested. We had tea and cake in the cafe which was very nice. Definitely pleased we visited.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Mike W. 9 months ago on Google
    Came for the first time in 4 years to show my 2 year old granddaughter. A little disappointed by the number of things not working..... The worst being the lift in the winter gardens. No way for a buggy or wheelchair to get to the viewing level. One walkway closed off. Bits of the exhibits broken. Various dinosaurs half heartedly hidden in the foliage... One fallen sideways. Still got the lion and the fish though!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 k p. 3 years ago on Google
    Definitely worth a visit. Interesting and varied exhibitions. Friendly staff. Don't miss the Lowrys!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 David A. 4 years ago on Google
    A wonderful interesting place, something to interest everyone.

  • 5/5 shadesofmists 2 years ago on Google
    Nice museum and Garden. Plenty to keep the kids entertained. The fish are really cool. They will swim right up to you.

  • 3/5 Jessica R. 4 years ago on Google
    Interesting museum but a lot of exhibitions not working properly and lifts were not working either so couldn’t access the upper floors with pushchair.

  • 5/5 Steven F. 2 years ago on Google
    Great place to visit, plus have a coffee in the tropical forest and the hidden suprises for the kids too find.

  • 4/5 John R. 4 years ago on Google
    Good and educational for children and adults alike

  • 5/5 Yvonne D. 4 years ago on Google
    Beautiful 💖

  • 4/5 Ray K. 4 years ago on Google
    Nice place to spend a couple of hours.

  • 1/5 Lindsay B. 4 years ago on Google
    Customer service was shocking

  • 1/5 percival f. 4 years ago on Google
    Meh

  • 4/5 Eymen B. 4 years ago on Google
    Good

  • 5/5 Phillipa R. 1 year ago on Google
    Fab place .got bigger since we last went before lockdown.. Lots to see do there..cafe toilets plenty.. all clean everywhere.. Need longer next time.so much to see.. Great for all ages.. Shop sells great gifts . Bought nice necklace.. Super park & gardens nearby..& botanic gardens in museum.. 5star*****

  • 5/5 Rob.D.M 1 year ago on Google
    I visited the EMERGE Design Degree Show on the Gallery on the 2nd floor. There is mobility access and a lift. It is a show of the work Sunderland University graduating in BA (Hons) Illustration and Design. - Fashion Design & Promotion - Fashion Product & Promotion. - Animation & Games Art. - and finally, Graphic Design. All BA (Hons) well. I was stunned by sine of the work. It is very hard to restrain yourself from wanting to touch the items. You can feel their energy drawing you in. I was in there for almost 2hrs. I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys, up-to-date Art, I'll call it as other words for where "we" are now seems to trigger people into some sort of mumbo jumbo. The Talkers Crisps display I could smell the Cheese & Onion. There is a beautiful book to accompany your tour and it's free. So another bonus there. There should be more of these things. GCSE art and design A Level art should be shown too. I loved it. As a side note there is a special area displaying the glass artwork of Anthony Amoako - Attah. I've never heard of him before but I want to say his glass exhibition caught me by my emotions. I could almost feel the material. It is something just less than a miracle how he has produced this amazing work. I just can't see how he's done it. See first photo below for the information. If you can find time drag everyone you know to this fantastic art exhibition from students now and one from an earlier time. You'll feel better afterwards. No matter your biorhythms. I've out 9 photos up. I sincerely hope this gives you a flavour (sounds cheesy) of the exhibition. There are lots of other things to see too. Pyrex comes to mind. Who knew Sunderland was the home of Pyrex?

  • 5/5 Phill B. 1 year ago on Google
    Great visit, loved the Winter gardens. The highlight was Grayson Perry exhibition just fantastic

  • 5/5 DAZ A. 1 year ago on Google
    Lovely park to walk around with large lake/pond. Statues situated around the area too. Picnic areas the war memorial is just on the outside of the park.

  • 5/5 Ali A. 11 months ago on Google
    Went first time on Easter half term with 7 and 5 years old. So much to see🤩 Kids really enjoyed and me too. Park with playground just across the street. Highly recommended. Free entry

  • 5/5 Rebecca H. 9 months ago on Google
    So much to see! Brilliant and right in the city centre. Lots of local history and the art gallery is very informative with local artists.

  • 5/5 Kirsee A. 8 months ago on Google
    Historical site that is beautifully maintained. It’s fun and educational. One of the highlights of a trip to Sunderland.

  • 4/5 FEDDAR M. 6 months ago on Google
    Very nice place to visit with children outside beautiful green park. Unfortunately lift is not working in botanic garden.

  • 4/5 Emma J C. 4 months ago on Google
    A lovely place to visit, especiallythe winter gardens. Took my mum who struggles with walking. The only downside was the accessibility as the lift wasn't working.

  • 5/5 David B. 4 months ago on Google
    Great museum with lots of sections. Two art galleries, one focused towards children. And a nice cafe overlooking the garden.

  • 5/5 Anna W. 6 months ago on Google
    Nice Café, had lovely Soup 🍲 with Bread 🍞 and Very Friendly Staff...

  • 4/5 Michelle O. 4 months ago on Google
    Winter gardens weren't open due to essential maintenance work. Lovely museum. My son's 2 so we only really came in to see the fish.

  • 5/5 KarenJaneandIan 5 years ago on Google
    Fantastic, well worth a visit. So much to see. Very interesting. And it's free!!

  • 5/5 Alan P. 3 years ago on Google
    Very well organized

  • 5/5 Ashleigh R. 3 years ago on Google
    Lovely staff, great exhibition, interesting trails and activities for kids

  • 5/5 thomas c. 3 years ago on Google
    Nice experience really up date modern museum well werth a visit

  • 5/5 Dennis P. 3 years ago on Google
    Great place for a wonder round, loads of interesting things on show.

  • 3/5 Bethany L. 3 years ago on Google
    Was not happy to see park closed but children being lifted over to use playground during lockdown. Beautiful gardens when homeless aren't sitting drinking in them

  • 5/5 Jacopo M. 3 years ago on Google
    The athmosphere is amazing here. I loved the park and the building. The museum was really interesting as well, but probably due the covid19 restrictions, the one way sistem in place made it a bit confusing.

  • 5/5 Brogan j. 3 years ago on Google
    Lovely day out ! I would highly recommend.

  • 4/5 Bruna C. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Free entrance. It is a great museum with several themes. It's worth visiting! (Original) Entrada gratuita. É um ótimo museu com várias temáticas. Vale a pena visitar!

  • 4/5 Lord W. 4 years ago on Google
    Such great fun. Loved very moment of this splendid museum and attraction

  • 5/5 Chad H. 3 years ago on Google
    Nice place to walk around with family and friends.

  • 5/5 John W. 5 years ago on Google
    I went with my 4 year old and spent about 20 minutes on the ground floor in the garden area looking at the dinosaurs, fish and the mining exhibits. Then we moved on the to first floor and saw the stuffed animals as well as some that were live. There were also interactive areas where my son could push buttons and hear sounds etc. The time line section where actors explain their lives is quite funny really 😂 Then the top floor with the ships was a little quicker than the other floors as my son wasn’t as impressed, but I found them interesting to see and would’ve stayed longer. In total we spent around 3 hours here and thoroughly enjoyed it.

  • 5/5 LEE P. 3 years ago on Google
    Nice place to go when in Sunderland. Relaxing and we enjoyed it greatly. Thanks for giving us this space.

  • 3/5 gordon p. 3 years ago on Google
    it was good and interesting but could be improved Some of the displays were not fully working , like when you press the buttons the light ups did not work. Also needs to be updated. Time displays only cover up to 1999.

  • 5/5 Rebecca J. 4 years ago on Google
    Beautiful gardens Mobray park, museum & winter gardens are fab and free what more can you want from a day out.

  • 5/5 Shona S. 3 years ago on Google
    I love this museum. My ambition is to become a Curator. Because history has always been in my life.

  • 5/5 Trudy V. 3 years ago on Google
    Kids love a look round.... great place considering it's free to get in 😁

  • 5/5 Kay T. 4 years ago on Google
    We love coming here. Our last visit was for Chinese New Year which was a wonderful event and very popular. We have done the lovely trails and collected a toy at the end which was a bonus to exploring the museum as well as completing the trail. We have done sculpting workshops and intend to get involved in the host of half term activities too. They also host relaxed events which is great for us!

  • 4/5 rejoy j. 4 years ago on Google
    🦢 is really nice on the pond. We can feed them . Children's will really enjoy the view.

  • 1/5 Libby J. 3 years ago on Google
    Smells.

  • 5/5 Ryan T. 4 years ago on Google
    Really good afternoon out. Free entry. Interesting museum outshone the actual gardens imo.

  • 5/5 Daniel W. 4 years ago on Google
    Lovely little addition to Sunderland! Always worth a visit.

  • 2/5 Sarah H. 4 years ago on Google
    Loads of broken exhibits and not very clean.

  • 5/5 lesley e. 4 years ago on Google
    Met with friends in the coffee shop ..it was busy but the staff were very attentive & pleasant..the service was excellent..the food was amazing..definitely be returning

  • 5/5 Fajorin O. 4 years ago on Google
    Amazing place to visit

  • 4/5 Angela S. 3 years ago on Google
    Great place to visit on a rainy day kids will love the winter gardens with the fish and dinosaurs

  • 5/5 Justina D. 3 years ago on Google
    Wonderful place

  • 5/5 Adelaide J. 3 years ago on Google
    The winter gardens appear to be built around a lake, outside the museum complex. The gardens are fine, not the best you will find, but being so far the colder north, might explain why they are not similar of their more advantageous southern cousins. Not are there some shops in the complex, but wonderful various historical exhibitions, and a lovely cafe.

  • 5/5 Jo H. 4 years ago on Google
    Fantastic museum, gallery, cafe and library. Not to be missed!

  • 4/5 Carole W. 3 years ago on Google
    A bit disappointed only half was open but its not their fault its the corona safety precautions

  • 5/5 trever S. 3 years ago on Google
    Its a lovely place to walk around with children

  • 5/5 Matthew R. 3 years ago on Google
    Excellent Museum, especially the Coal mining and ship building exhibitions. Would recomend a visit.

  • 3/5 Daniel T. 3 years ago on Google
    Much if the museum is not open but as there is no charge worth a short visit.

  • 5/5 Kate G. 3 years ago on Google
    Very cool museum, there are lots of exhibits about the past of people, boats, animals, pottery and art ect. the greenhouse bit is always nice to look around and the Koi are cute.

  • 5/5 Roger J. 3 years ago on Google
    All the local history in one place great afternoon looking around.

  • 5/5 David C. 3 years ago on Google
    Great little place. We loved it so did Grandma and the little ones

  • 5/5 john L. 3 years ago on Google
    so many things to look at .


Call +44 191 561 2323 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible restroom

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