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Plan Your Visit to National Glass Centre
It is free to visit National Glass Centre.
There is a programme of events for adults and families which offers free and paid for activities to anyone who wants to try get creative.
Address
National Glass Centre
Liberty Way
Sunderland
SR6 0GL
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Main Entrance: wakes.relay.dawn
Opening Times
Monday – Saturday: 10am – 5pm
Important Visitor Notice
From Sunday 16 March 2025, National Glass Centre will close on Sundays. This will bring it in line with the opening hours of other galleries and museums across the city. National Glass Centre remains open with our usual programme of exhibitions and activities Monday-Saturday.
Additionally, in line with the new opening hours, Glass Yard Café will also close on Sundays..
Read the full statement from University of Sunderland about the planned changes: University of Sunderland Statement
Contact Us
0191 515 5555
info@nationalglasscentre.com
Getting here
From Sunderland City Centre, you can use the E1 that takes you to Roker Avenue, around 500m from National Glass Centre.
The 700 and 701 Sunderland Connect buses also stop close to the venue on St. Peter’s Way and Liberty Way (both are around 100m from the venue)
Our closest train station is Sunderland, featuring regional train routes from Middlesbrough and Hexham.
Our closest Nexus Metro station is Stadium of Light. This stop is around 1.2km from the National Glass Centre.
A1:
Take the exit onto A1231 towards Washington/Sunderland and continue onto Wessington Way
Follow the brown signs to National Glass Centre, Liberty Way.
A19:
Take the A1231 slip road (to Sunderland/Sunderland North)
Follow A1231 onto Wessington Way and then follow the brown signs to National Glass Centre Liberty Way.
National Glass Centre has a car park directly outside of the entrance and there is an overflow car park to the right of the venue which is open during busier times.
Blue Badge holders can park for free providing they display a valid permit.
Visitors are required to pay for parking in both car parks. Parking costs are as follows:
Under 20 minutes: Free
Per hour: £0.60
Per day: £3.00
How to pay:
- Just Park app (available for Android and Apple mobile devices)
- Just Park website
- Call 01234 862 178
- Cashless parking terminal – located in the main car park, visitors can pay here by card
National Glass Centre is part of the Coast-to-Coast cycle route from Cumbria to Sunderland.
We have bike racks at the top of our car park and on the other side of the venue along the riverside.
There is also a cycle hub to the side of the Centre on the riverside.
To plan your route to National Glass Centre by bike, you can use either Google Maps or resources on Go Smarter Go Active.
We’re home to Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art
Based inside National Glass Centre, the gallery showcases contemporary art in a range of media from talented national and international artists.
Food & Drink
Open for breakfast and lunch, The Glass Yard is the perfect place to get together with family, friends and loved ones.
The Glass Yard is currently located on the ground floor of National Glass Centre.
Café Opening Times
Open 10am – 4:30pm Monday to Saturday
Breakfast is served from 10am – 11:45am
Lunch is served from 12pm – 3:45pm
Menus
FAQs
Photography is allowed for personal use only. All photography for commercial use is prohibited unless agreed upon in advance with the Marketing Team.
Contact our Marketing Team: info@nationalglasscentre.com
Our Gallery Learning Facilitators are happy to give you a free exhibition tour at any time. Simply ask a member of staff at reception or in the gallery.
Yes. National Glass Centre has free public wireless internet access (WiFi) in most areas including The Glass Yard and the Reading Room. The signal may be weaker in some areas than others.
We are a cashless venue. We accept all forms of card payment – this includes paying for activities as well as shop and cafe purchases.
Access
Pre-visit walk through and access information
Visit our shop
Browse a selection of handcrafted glass, jewellery and prints during your visit or shop online today.