Important Visitor Notice

Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art is closed on Sundays. Read the full statement from University of Sunderland: University of Sunderland Statement

A blue grey coloured art gallery with concrete columns and floor. On the gallery wall are framed pictures. There are a number of benches and chairs scattered around the room, there is also a large screen. The gallery is busy with people walking around, looking at the artwork, and sitting chatting.

Plan Your Visit to Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art

It is free to visit the gallery.

Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art sits inside National Glass Centre on the banks of the River Wear in Sunderland.

Our main gallery is on the ground floor. The entrance is on the side of the building – simply follow the signs down to the riverside.

Our collections space is on the first floor next to the reception area. You can get to this space by going through the Glass Centre’s main entrance.

What’s On

Address

Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art
C/O National Glass Centre
Liberty Way
Sunderland
SR6 0GL

What3Words
Main Entrance: jobs.parent.legal

Opening Times

Monday – Saturday: 10am – 5pm

Important Visitor Notice

From Sunday 16 March 2025, Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art and 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. Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art and 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
Email: 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

Get directions from Google Maps

Parking
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.

What’s On

With exhibitions changing throughout the year, find out what will be on display for your visit.

What’s On