48 Hours in Sunderland...

Sunderland is a city with a difference - a modern, bustling centre that is balanced with a relaxing green environment and a refreshing attitude to life.

Friday...

1200

Pay an initial visit to the award winning Sunderland Tourist Information Centre in Fawcett Street. Pick up a Sunderland Visitor Guide along with a 'What's On' events listing and various leaflets recommended by our professional and friendly centre staff. Walk around the city centre, where you will find the Bridges shopping centre with an array of high street shops, as well as boutiques and designer stores.

1330

Stop for lunch at any of the centrally located cafés, traditional pubs or restaurants.

1500

Pay a visit to the Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens, complemented by one of the oldest municipal parks in the North East; Mowbray Park. Entry to the museum is free and with a second place in the Large Visitor Attraction category, Excellence in England awards, Sunderland's museum is hugely popular with visitors of all ages. A range of fascinating multimedia installations tell the city's story from its early foundations to the present day and one of the galleries boasts an extensive collection of paintings by LS Lowry, who considered Sunderland his 'second home'.

1800

Dine at the Sunderland's recently re-generated arts and business quarter Sunniside, boasting a range of restaurants serving international cuisine. From Thai to Italian, you will be spoiled for choice.

2000

Catch a popular West End show at Sunderland Empire Theatre. Following a £4.5million refurbishment in 2005, the Empire now boasts 21st Century facilities and is the only theatre between Manchester and Edinburgh capable of staging large West End productions. Highlights for 2007 include Starlight Express, Footloose, 42nd Street and The Empire Theatre's Centenary Celebrations.

Saturday...

0930

Spend a relaxing morning by taking a walk along the banks of the River Wear, where once coal was loaded and ships were built, you can now enjoy the Riverside Sculpture Trail. This easily accessible trail is suitable for both pedestrians and cyclists.
It offers a connected promenade of specially commissioned artworks in metal and stone that refer back to the city's history and heritage.

1100

Also standing tall on the river is the National Glass Centre where you can explore the full history of glass making in the UK and see cutting-edge examples of the contemporary glass maker's art. It also acts as a focus for artists, designers and makers to create exciting new products and art. What's more, entry to the National Glass Centre is free.

1230

After you have gained an insight into glassmaking, perused the latest exhibitions, watched a live glass making demonstration and walked on the glass roof at the National Glass Centre, take a seat for lunch at the centre's own contemporary Throwingstones restaurant sporting breathtaking views of the River Wear and serving some of the finest cuisine in town.

1400

Take a further stroll towards the river mouth, boasting great views of the city's marina, where the active can enjoy all types of water-based sports and leisure activities, from sailing and canoeing to pleasure fishing, or continue to stroll towards the Blue Flag Roker and Seaburn beaches providing a wonderful seaside playground for adults and children alike.

If you prefer to have a more active afternoon, test out your climbing skills at Sunderland Wall - the biggest artificial climbing wall in Europe, ski or snowboard at Silksworth Ski Slope or visit Karting North East for an opportunity to experience real outdoor racing on their 1200 metre British Championship circuit.

1900

It's time to hit the town. Sunderland is a city that knows how to enjoy itself, and with a host of new bars and restaurants opening to join the established favourites there is no shortage of places to have a good time. For eating out you can take your pick from the nouvelle to the traditional and the city's nightlife venues range from contemporary bars and night clubs to the comfort and welcome of an old-fashioned North East pub. In Sunderland you are guaranteed to party till the early hours.

Sunday

0930

Take a tour of the magnificent Stadium of Light. The 49,000 seat Stadium of Light could almost be considered Sunderland's cathedral. The home of Sunderland AFC; this is widely regarded as one of the best football stadia in Europe. Positioned high on the banks of the River Wear the stadium is also one of the city's major landmarks.

If heritage is more your thing why not enjoy some of the area's popular attractions. Take your pick from Washington Old Hall, Fulwell Mill, Penshaw Monument and the nearby Herrington Country Park, or for nature lovers why not visit the Washington Wetland Centre, all a short drive away. Further afield attractions include the World Heritage Sites of Hadrian's Wall and Durham Cathedral and Bede's World, located within the Wearmouth-Jarrow centre of European Culture, the 2009 UK's nomination for World Heritage site status.

1200

There is nothing better than finishing off with a hearty Sunday lunch. Choose the venue from one of Sunderland's many traditional or cosmopolitan restaurants.

For more information on all of the attractions mentioned and more, as well as accommodation and events, contact the Sunderland Tourist Information Centre who provide a wide range of services and information to help make your stay as enjoyable as possible.

Sunderland Tourist Information Centre

50 Fawcett Street
Sunderland
SR1 1RF
Tel: 0191 553 2000
E-mail: tourist.info@sunderland.gov.uk
Web: www.visitsunderland.com

You can also obtain further information or book a Stadium of Light Tour by calling the tours hotline on 0191 551 5055 or by visiting www.safc.com.