Sunderland Overview
Sunderland was given its city status in 1992, located at the mouth of the River Wear in the north of England Sunderland has been a destination for students for many years due to the culture and friendly atmosphere of the local people. Sunderland has a rich history with several historic buildings dotted across the city. A favourite with the locals is the Penshaw Monument, sitting at 70ft high at the top of the Penshaw Hill the monument has stood since 1844 and can be seen for miles around and from almost any part of the city. During the time between Good Friday and the end of September, the national trust opens the spiral staircase hidden in one of the pillars, climbing this staircase will give you access to the roof where you get to see some amazing views of the city you will be living in. Admission is £5, and it is not to be missed as you are only allowed to the roof at a certain time of year. Just to the north of the city you have Seaburn which boasts a lovely beach making it the perfect place to spend a summer day.
Things to do in Sunderland
The Empire cinema in the city centre shows all the latest blockbusters and Hollywood films in its massive 12 screen complex with VIP boxes and premium seating you are sure to have a great time, keep a look out for student discounts. For those who enjoy their activities to have a bit more exercise then head to Gravity Force, this is a warehouse that has had trampolines fitted instead of floors with foam pits and even trampolines on the wall. This adrenaline filled activity is the perfect day out for you and your friends, you can play dodgeball or finally do a slam dunk on the sports section. They have a food hall, so you can stay refreshed and get more energy to get back in there.
Sunderland has a great shopping district; the Bridges shopping centre is located in the middle of the city and has over 90 high street shops. Not to far from the shopping centre is Park Lane Village where you will find a plethora of locally owned shops selling a lot of items you won’t find in the high street stores. If you want value for your money then the Jacky Whites Market is the place to go, all of these places are in a close proximity to each other and are easily accessible by public transport. The Arts Centre Washington is a venue that hosts art events, productions and music making it a great diverse place to go.
Sport in Sunderland
Sunderland has a lot of leisure centres with a wide range of facilities, there are several swimming pools, gyms indoor halls, squash courts and so many more. The Marine Activities centre is a centre that specialises in water sports and a great way to stay healthy having fun on your own or with friends. The main football team is Sunderland AFC who play at the Stadium of Light, this stadium is the eighth largest in England with a whopping 49,000 capacity making for a great atmosphere on matchday.
Escape Sunderland
To the north-east of Sunderland, you have Newcastle, this is a city that has a famous nightlife making it the perfect place to go with your friends with easy access back to Sunderland. Newcastle has a lot more to offer than just nightlife, you will be able to pick from a very wide range of activities. To the north of the city you have South Shields which is a small coastal town and it has some beautiful sandy beaches and great views from the white cliffs.
Transport in Sunderland
The motorway network is accessible via the A roads surrounding the city. For direct trains to major cities you will have to make the short journey to Newcastle. Coaches will run to most major cities in the UK from the city. There are two airports near Sunderland which makes it easily accessible for international students to visit home during breaks to visit family.
