Monkwearmouth Station Museum
The museum has recently undergone a £1 million redevelopment and now offers a modernised, accessible environment for visitors. The buildings, incorporating the original station, now house seven interactive galleries, including the Children's Gallery, with its stimulating and exciting environment for fun and learning.
Monkwearmouth Station Museum opened in 1973 to preserve the handsome, neo-classical station building and to provide displays of transport and local history.
The station was designed by Thomas Moore of Sunderland and opened in 1848 as the Sunderland terminus for trains from Gateshead and Newcastle.
The museum is housed in an outstanding grade 2* listed 1840s station building commissioned by the famous railway entrepreneur George Hudson. The magnificent portico leads into a grand entrance hall and well preserved booking office, both of which display many original features such as the ticket booths, fireplaces and shuttered windows. The Platform Gallery gives a good view of the railway bridge and the trains passing by on the tracks.
Several interactive galleries have been created as part of a £1million redevelopment of the museum, making the history of travel and transport in Tyne and Wear fun and exciting.
Monkwearmouth Station Museum features many personal stories, evoking fond memories of an age when Monkwearmouth was the main station for the city and the building buzzed with the excitement of the people passing through. The station has once again been brought to life through its inspiring displays and renovated interior making it an important landmark for the region’s railway heritage.
Monkwearmouth Station Museum is owned by Sunderland City Council and managed on its behalf by Tyne & Wear Museums.
VISITORS INFORMATION:
Opening Hours
Monday - Saturday 10am - 5pm, Sunday 2pm - 5pm.
Closed: 25 & 26 December & 1 January
Admission is free
Facilities
The Museum has the following facilities for visitors:
Access for wheelchair users via ramp
Accessible toilets
Male and female toilet facilities
Assistance available if required
Facilities for deaf and hard of hearing people
Facilities for blind and visually impaired people
Assistance and Guide dogs admitted
Baby changing facilities
Gift shop
Hot and cold drinks.
By Public Transport
The Museum is just a few minutes' walk from St Peter's Metro station and a ten minute walk from Sunderland's city centre.
By Car
The Museum is on North Bridge Street (A1018) just outside of Sunderland city centre.
Due to building work, parking is extremely limited at the Museum. Limited parking is available for Blue Badge Holders only. Coaches and Mini buses should use the lay-by facility in North Bridge Street for dropping off. Parking is available close by at St Mary's and the Stadium of Light, both a short walk from the Museum.
Address:
Monkwearmouth Station Museum
North Bridge Street,
Sunderland,
SR5 1AP