Sunderland is a city with a difference. Coupled with its enviable seaside location is a relaxed, laid back pace of life. But, despite its quiet coastal charm, Sunderland has the vibrancy and buzz you’d expect from a city. With an exciting shopping centre, a host of visitor attractions, no shortage of bars and restaurants, and a host of award-winning events taking place in the city across the year, this really is a place worth paying a visit to.
Shopping:
Whether you’re in search of high street stores such as Debenhams, H&M, River Island and Marks and Spencer, or you’re looking for trendy boutiques in which to find one-off items, Sunderland has it all.
Sunderland’s bustling city centre is an exciting place to shop. The Bridges, the city’s main shopping centre, is home to scores of well-known stores – from clothing to cosmetics, and toys to telecoms, there is something for everyone. To find out more about the Bridges visit
www.bridges-tryiton.com.
Sunderland’s trendy Sunniside is a hub for independent shops, selling unique items that will set you apart from the crowd. The Victorian streets in this area are home to a range of independent shops and boutiques, offering everything from designer labels to trendy interiors. Eye-catching pieces of jewellery, glassware and ceramics are also a Sunderland speciality, with craft and gift shops at the museums and galleries featuring the works of up and coming designer-makers. See
www.sunnisidepartnership.co.uk for more information about Sunniside, or
www.visitsunderland.com or more about the city’s shopping offer.
Attractions:
There are attractions in Sunderland to suit families, couples or individuals looking for a great day out. From the city’s National Glass Centre, which boasts the award-winning Throwing Stones restaurant, to the Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens, home to over 2,000 tropical flowers and plants, Sunderland is a great visitor location.
The beautiful coastline, wonderful parks and great open space in Sunderland also make this a perfect place to enjoy the great outdoors. And with a number of excellent leisure and sporting facilities based in the city, including Go Karting and Sunderland’s Ski Slope, it is the perfect place for an action-packed day out.
There really is no shortage of things to do in Sunderland. Visit
www.visitsunderland.com to find out more about the many visitor attractions in Sunderland, and plan your day out in the city.
Bars and Restaurants:
From classic Italian restaurants, to tantalising gourmet eateries, there is a huge range of restaurants to suit everyone’s taste. And with an emergent cafe-culture in the city, there are more and more small cafes and bars, at which to relax and enjoy the sights.
Tucked away, down the cobbled streets of Sunniside are quiet cafes where you can enjoy a tasty snack, or for a hearty meal, there are traditional public houses scattered around the city centre, offering a warm atmosphere, and value for money, quality food.
Nightlife:
By night, Sunderland comes to life. Voted as one of the best nights out in the country, the city boasts a large number of clubs and pubs, located within minutes of each other. The pubs and clubs host a number of live band nights, meaning Sunderland has become a hotbed for musical talent, and a really authentic, invigorating place to go out.
Events:
Sunderland plays host to a number of exciting events that offer a great day out for people of all ages. As well as the city’s famed International Airshow, which attracts over a million visitors each summer, Sunderland has a packed events diary that includes an International Friendship Festival featuring the popular Kite Festival, craft fairs and heritage celebrations. Of course, as the only North East football team in the Premier League, matches at Sunderland AFC’s magnificent Stadium of Light also attract thousands of people to the city, as do West End productions, shown at the city’s historic Empire Theatre.