Sunderland is a city in Tyne on Wear, located roughly 10
miles from Newcastle and 12 miles from Durham. It overlooks the River Wear, and
is twinned with the cities Harbin (China), Saint-Nazaire (France), Washington
(USA) and Essen (Germany). It’s a unitary authority, although many of its
services are provided by neighbouring local authorities. The city has an
oceanic climate, characterised by cool summers and moderate winters.
Sunderland has been inhabited since the Stone Age. Early
stone age remains have been discovered there, particularly to the west of the
city in what is now Hastings Hill. In the 8th century, Vikings invaded
the local coast, and by 1346, a number of ships were built close by. In the
late 16th century, the city grew into a trading port for salt and
coal.
The early 18th century is marked by the emergence of the
Holy Trinity Church in Sunderland, a then new parish church. The various
settlements which made up Sunderland at this point were then combined, earning
Sunderland the nickname “Sunderland-near-the-sea”.
By the 20th century, Sunderland’s shipbuilding
activity began to decline. New industries emerged in the form of car manufacturing
and, by 1986, Japanese car manufacturer, Nissan, opened a factory nearby.
Today, Sunderland is popular city to visit, home to numerous
attractions. Sights worth visiting include Herrington Country Park, the
National Glass Centre and the Stadium of Light. For a memorable walk, head to
Roker and Seaburn Beaches, and, for a taste of local culture, visit the North
East Land, Sea and Air Museums. Other museums worth seeing are the Sunderland
Museum and Winter Gardens, and the Monkwearmouth Station museum.
There are various attractions which take place in Sunderland
throughout the year such as the Sunderland International Airshow and the city’s
inaugural film festival. The city is also known for its free kite festival which
draws kite-makers from all over the country.
Sunderland is covered by the Tyne and Wear Metro, which can
be boarded at Sunderland’s main railway station. Further train stations can be at
Park Lane Transport Interchange and across campus at the University of
Sunderland. The closest airport to Sunderland is Newcastle Airport, at roughly
20 miles away.
Complete your trip to Sunderland with a stay in SilverDoor
serviced apartment.
