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| Reviews and photos of Sunderland attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Sunderland sightseeing. Sunderland Map |
 | Sunderland Things To Do | Tips 1 - 10 of 25 |  |
In line with many new developments in the region where shipbuilding and docking has all but vanished (Newcastle and Hartlepool for example), new development has taken the form of housing and ameneties in the form of a "Marina".
There is a genuine Marina, with berthing for yachts and cruisers, and a variety of housing including 3 storey Town Houses, which are rather splendid.
There is also a watersports centre and a very good Italian Restaurant here, as well as the Sunderland inshore and offshore lifeboats.
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Surprsingly many people do not realise that Sunderland is on the coast. A lot of river ports are not, they are often a few miles up river (Newcastle, Middlesbrough, Hull and London, for example), but Sunderland is bang on the coast. The city centre is a mile or so up river, but the city itself extends along the coast both to the North and South.
Heading North, you first come to the part of town known as Roker, which borders onto the harbour entrance. There is a lighthouse on the cliff top here which originally stood on the southern pier of the harbour entrance. It was dismantled and moved here in the 1980's when it was no longer needed.
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Just down river of the Monkwearmouth Bridge, on the Northern side of the river, is Saint Peters Riverside.
The Monkwearmouth Bridge was at the time it was built (late 1700's) the largest single span cast iron bridge in the world.
This area was once occupied by docks and ship repair yards. Now it is reclaimed for recreation, and includes the National Glass Centre.
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Standing on the banks of the River Wear across from the City Centre, the football stadium of Sunderland AFC occupies a site that was, until very recently, a colliery.
It always looked bizzare, seeing the colliery winding gear and ventilation shafts in such close proximity to the City. Not only that, it's proximity to both the river and the sea leaves me in no doubt that I am glad I was not a miner!
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This view, from the roof of The National Glass Centre, looks out towards the sea and the St. Peters Basin marina development. This was the old Sunderland North Dock and for many years there was an old North Sea Gas plaform stored here. I often wonder what became of it. It used to seem to tower above the Roker End stand of the old Sunderland AFC ground "Roker Park" until suddenly one day it vanished, towed off somewhere new.
Ah, nostalgia ain't what it used to be.
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Glass making was also an important part of Sunderlands past. The first stained glass to be made in England was made at Sunderland in the 700's. The industry had fluctuating fortunes but on the whole prospered until fairly recently.
Most glass factories have now closed but the stained glass for Anglian Windows double glazing is still produced in Sunderland, and the Dow Corning factory still remains, making Pyrex glassware. In fact, ALL Pyrex ever produced in the UK comes from Sunderland.
The National Glass Centre has a roof made from glass and you are encouraged to walk on it. You can see down into the building, and those below can see up your skirt, ladies!!
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Roker gives way to Seaburn, which has more of the usual seaside trappings - funfair (albeit small), amusements, hotels and guest houses, as well as beach and deckchairs. These sun worshippers lap up the sun on the slipway down to the beach.
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I hope to see them play against a big team. I'm really looking forward to it. Leave a Comment
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... and the parish church at Whitburn.
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And these guys make a variety of decorative glassware, all of which can be bought in the shop. It's really lovely stuff, and it adds a certain je-ne-sais-qoui to have seen it being made. Bring your amex card though!!
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on November 30, 2002
on September 29, 2003
