Forget expensive days out, there are so many things to do in Sunderland without spending a penny
With summer and warmer weather soon approaching weekends should be spent outside, enjoying the sun and taking the little ones out to explore.
In light of the cost of living crisis, we’re bringing a few free activities to your attention so you can plan a fun and cost-efficient spring day with your family.
Feed Into Your Football Obsession At Fans Museum
The Fans Museum is a great place to visit for those football-obsessed parents and children. General admission tickets are free, but you will need to get in touch with the museum to check their opening times as they change weekly.
Once you get in, you will be flooded with football memorabilia to see and even try on! No such thing as ”do not touch” in this museum as everyone is encouraged to try on their idol’s boots, shorts and medals!
You will find memorabilia not only from Sunderland’s Football Club but also from superstars like Ronaldo and Beckham.
Head along and relive the history.
Train Rides at Roker Park Conservation Area
Aside from the beautiful imagery at the park, it offers a few great activities that will interest both parents and children.
Roker Park has a boating lake, so those that have an interest in playing around with remote-controlled model boating will have the time of their lives. The lake offers plenty of space for all the coolest manoeuvres and a friendly competitive boat-off.
If you’re lucky (hint: if you visit on a weekend!) you will also get a free miniature train ride around the park, which will be sure to leave an impression on the little ones.
National Glass Centre
Impressive from the outside just as much as from the inside, National Glass Centre is a contemporary glass and steel building located on Liberty Way.
This cultural venue has plenty of daily events, including free glass-making demonstrations with an expert, who will show and explain flameworking and glass-blowing so you can see stunning pieces made right before you.
Of course, the centre has its own collection of glass works and a crafty fair, packed with stalls from local and regional glass experts. Perfect opportunity to appreciate hand-made pieces.
Sunderland Museum And Winter Gardens
Visiting a museum can be a fun and educational day out for the whole family. The museum always has something new to see and learn, starting with the winter gardens!
Besides getting a mesmerising bird’s view of it, the museum runs plant mania sessions where you can learn about different plants, how they are cared for and how to take cuttings to grow a new houseplant.
The little ones can meet Wallace The Lion, a show animal during the 1800s, who was brought to the museum 135 years ago and is standing proud and tall on the ground floor of the building.
A day spent at Sunderland Museum is a day to remember.
Picnic at Mowbray Park
Located conveniently close to Sunderland Museum, Mowbray Park is a perfect location to spend an afternoon and have a picnic.
Read a book, take some photos, feed the friendly ducks, enjoy the greenery and wildlife and don’t forget to say hi to the Walrus sculpture from Lewis Carroll’s poem “Walrus and the Carpenter”.
A day outside is a day well spent.
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