Opening times
We’re open 10am-5pm daily.
We are a cashless venue
Please be aware that we are a cashless venue and can only accept card payments throughout the building including in our café and our shop.
Directions
National Glass Centre is located on the banks of the River Wear at Monkwearmouth in Sunderland.
By car
A1
Take the exit onto A1231 towards Washington/Sunderland
Take Sunderland Highway A1231
Follow Wessington Way A1231
Follow Brown Signs to National Glass Centre, Liberty Way.
A19
Take the A1231 slip road to Sunderland/Gateshead on A19 southbound
Take the A1231 slip road to Gateshead/Newcastle West/Sunderland North/Airport on A19 northbound
Follow Wessington Way A1231
Follow Brown Signs to National Glass Centre, Liberty Way.
By bus
The E1 takes you from Sunderland City Centre to Roker Avenue which is only a few hundred metres distance from the main entrance.
The 700 Sunderland Connect bus is also available to take from park Lane Campus and City Campus.
The 702 Sunderland City Centre bus is now available to take from Sunderland interchange to St Peters Campus which is the closest stop to The Glass Centre. Route starts 16.09.19
National Glass Centre is part of the Coast to Coast (C2C) cycle route from Cumbria to Sunderland. We have cycle ‘ parking’ situated in our top car park and on the riverside. There is also a cycle hub to the side of the Centre on the riverside.
By Train or Metro
Regular Metros and Trains operate between Sunderland and Newcastle. There is a direct rail link to Sunderland from Middlesbrough every hour. You can find and book coach and train timetables on Trainline.
National Glass Centre is a 10-minute walk from St Peter’s Metro Station. Journey time from Newcastle to St Peter’s Station is 25 minutes. The easiest route is to walk along Dame Dorothy Street towards the coast and turn right at the roundabout with all of the National Glass Centre flags on it.
By Air
Newcastle Airport and Teesside International Airport are both about 45 minutes from Sunderland.
By Taxi
Station Taxis provide accessible taxis and can be contacted on 0191 555 5555.
Accommodation
Parking
Visitors to National Glass Centre are required to pay for parking at National Glass Centre Car Park, which is located to the front of the building and accessible from Dame Dorothy Street.
Find out more about National Glass Centre car parking charges.
During busy periods, overflow parking can be found in the gravel car park to the right of the main car park.
Blue Badge holders may continue to park for free in designated bays providing they display a valid permit. If all designated bays are full, blue badge holders can park in other bays for free as long as they display their valid permit.
Find out about other car parks in Sunderland.
What’s on across Sunderland
Contact us
If you have any queries or questions we are more than happy to help.
You can contact National Glass Centre by:
Telephone – 0191 515 5555
E-mail – [email protected]
FREE Daily Glass Making Demonstrations
Glassblowing, Lathe and Flameworking.
Our glass blowing demonstrations are running daily. Read more to find out about timings.
View our pre-visit venue walkthrough videos
These pre-visit venue walk-throughs are intended to help you and your family prepare for your visit. Please be aware that exhibitions, displays and visitor numbers change regularly.
Food and Drink
Open for breakfast and lunch, The Glass Yard is the perfect place to get together with family, friends and loved ones.
