Heritage

Sunderland's importance as a centre of industry stretches back to medieval times but it was the 18th and 19th Centuries that saw its population grow from 15,000 to 150,000. The wealth of Wearside coal and the need for ships to transport it turned Sunderland into the world's biggest shipbuilding town.

On the banks of the River Wear, where once coal was loaded and ships were built, you can now take a stroll along the Riverside Sculpture Trail, catch the latest exhibition at the National Glass Centre and enjoy contemporary dining at Throwing Stones restaurant.

The legacy of this Victorian wealth is still evident in the city today. The grandeur of the city's parks can be seen at Roker and Mowbray, the latter now restored to its former glory. In the heart of the city, the elegant rows of terraces in Sunniside are now being renovated for a new generation of use as Sunderland's creative quarter.

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