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A stone lion in the foreground and a round glass and metal structure in the background.
A stone lion in the foreground and a round glass and metal structure in the background.

About Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens

Discover the story of Sunderland, acclaimed art exhibitions and tropical Winter Gardens – all under one roof!  

With a collection dating back to 1846, there is a whole lot to see. The most famous object the collection is Wallace the Lion. Wallace was part of a touring wild animal show which visited Sunderland during 1868. He came to the city with the then famous African tamer Martini Maccomo. When he died, some years later, Wallace the lion came into the Museum’s collection. Over 135 years later, he’s still here and remains one of the most popular exhibits…now posing for selfies! 

These days, Wallace is joined by the first Nissan car to roll off the production line at their Sunderland factory in 1986. The car plant replaced shipbuilding as one of the major industries in Sunderland. 

Sunderland has a rich history of industries. All are explored throughout the museums four floors – shipbuilding, coal mining, glass making and pottery as well many other aspects of the city’s past. Our ‘Secrets of the Past’ gallery, for example, delves into the lives of the Anglo-Saxon monks who resided at St Peter’s Monastery in Monkwearmouth. 

The Museums Art Gallery shows a significant collection of the works by LS Lowry, an artist who spent lots of time in Sunderland. We also host high profile visiting exhibitions including works by Leonardo Da Vinci and Canaletto. 

A colourful display wall with various objects in square and circular frames. In the foreground is a large glass case holding an old diving suit with a brass helmet.
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Five glass shop display shelves covered in books, cushions and souvenirs. In the centre of the space is a round display unit with multi coloured children's toys.
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A corridor in an exhibition space with wooden flooring, light pink walls and low wire barriers in front of the walls on each side. Paintings in ornate carved, wooden frames hung along each wall and spotlights run along the ceiling.
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A colourful exhibit in a museum. Orange pillars stand behind glass domes with items in display. Large blue columns stand behind the pillars and display retro posters and images.
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A wall that is painted red at the top and panelled with dark wood at the bottom. On the red part of the wall is a display board with a list of job titles. At the top of the board is a painted scroll with dark text that reads ‘Shipyard Trades’. Underneath that is more text in a white strip that reads ‘Classes of workers employed in the Shipbuilding Trades’. Along the wood panelled part of the wall are framed photographs and bits of old machinery.
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A large room with gream walls lined from bottom to top in old paintings in decorated gold frames. In the foreground is a round, blue velvet sofa.
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A bright, spacious room with white column, a blue carpet and tall arched windows. Around the edges of the room are glass cabinets with lots of plates, vases and other ceramics on display. In between the cabinets are wooden benches, and light grey units with information panels on top.
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The Museum’s shop has a fantastic range of Sunderland-themed gifts alongside locally made crafts. 

Alongside our permanent and temporary exhibitions, our ever-changing events programme means that there is always something new and exciting to see and do for all the family. 

Please note that the Pottery Gallery is occasionally closed to the public due to special events taking place. Please contact us before your visit to check opening information. 

The Winter Gardens, a 21st Century addition to the museum is a tropical paradise and home to our resident Koi Carp. Over 2,000 plants thrive in the glass rotunda. From the tree top walkway, visitors have a bird’s eye view of beautiful Mowbray Park. 

A path and a short bridge curving through dense green trees and plants. There are large boulders to the left of the path.
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A metal walkway curving around the edge of a circular glass building near the ceiling. Green trees and foliage can be seen poking up through the centre of the walkway.
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A large, towering silver sculpture with water flowing down it. It is surrounded by a winding metal staircase and green foliage.
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A green and yellow dinosaur standing on its back legs with its mouth open.
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