Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens

In the Sunderland Museum discover the history of the City from its prehistoric past to the present day in exciting displays interpreting the collections with hands-on exhibits, computer interactives and video presentations.

The amazing new Winter Gardens is home to over 1,500 of the world's most exotic and unusual flowers and trees. The Gardens also include exciting water features and a stunning treetop walkway, from which visitors can look down on the plants below.

See wonderfully crafted quilts, rag rugs, embroideries and ganseys representing the rich tradition of textile crafts found in this region. Hear the story of 'How the frog got into the mug' and look at the inspiration behind the style and decoration of the pots in the world's largest collection of Sunderland-made pottery. Plus displays on glass making, pottery, coal, shipbuilding, multi-media presentations and an intriguing look at the deep social and physical history of the region.

In the Worlds Alive exhibit, hundreds of animals have been brought together to show the huge variety of life that exists on the planet. Explore the themes of diversity, adaptation and extinction and see animals at home in a range of recreated habitats. Live insects, spiders, amphibians and fish are all part of the attraction.

Plus see fine oil paintings and watercolours in all the splendour of a Victorian collector's private gallery. Many works by LS Lowry are also newly displayed and, for the first time, art from other cultures can be seen in a showcase of beautiful objects from around the world. A programme of regularly changing special exhibitions can also be seen. The Museum also runs regular activities for all ages throughout the holiday periods.