Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens

29/08/2026

Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens might be temporarily closing for refurbishment but that doesn't mean you have to miss out. Sunderland Culture offer a wonderful city-wide selection of family and adult activities, workshops, film, music, special events, and exhibitions for you to get involved with.

ℹ Take a look at what's available: https://www.sunderlandculture.org.uk/whats-on/

29/08/2026

Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens closes today to allow work to begin on a once in a lifetime transformation.

Why not visit us today for a final walk through the Winter Gardens and have a look at your favourite exhibits.

📅 Saturday 29 August
🕢 10am - 4pm | Free entry

ℹ Find out more about the Redevelopment: https://www.sunderlandculture.org.uk/sunderland-museum-winter-gardens/redevelopment/
ℹ FAQs: https://www.sunderlandculture.org.uk/blog/museum-redevelopment-frequently-asked-questions/

Photo credit: Steve Brock

28/08/2026

Only two days left to visit us before we close for a once-in-a-generation transformation.

ℹ Find out more: https://www.sunderlandculture.org.uk/sunderland-museum-winter-gardens/redevelopment/
ℹ FAQs: https://www.sunderlandculture.org.uk/blog/museum-redevelopment-frequently-asked-questions/

25/08/2026

📦 How do you pack up a museum?

Our Museum Redevelopment Senior Manager, Trina took BBC Radio Newcastle behind the scenes last weekend to talk about packing up the Museum collection ready for the exciting transformation.

Listen now:

Sunderland Museum packs up its 108,000-large collection ahead of a two-year £13.6m renovation.

23/08/2026

Whilst Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens are temporarily closing for refurbishment, Sunderland Culture has a great city-wide programme of family and adult activities available to get involved with.

ℹ Take a look at what's available: https://www.sunderlandculture.org.uk/whats-on/

22/08/2026

There are just seven days left to visit Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens before we close for a once-in-a-generation transformation.

Take a walk through the Winter Gardens, have a final look at your favourite exhibits, and make a few memories of the Museum as it looks today.

ℹ Find out more: https://www.sunderlandculture.org.uk/sunderland-museum-winter-gardens/redevelopment/

ℹ FAQs: https://www.sunderlandculture.org.uk/blog/museum-redevelopment-frequently-asked-questions/

14/08/2026

Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens will temporarily close on Saturday 29 August for a once-in-a-generation transformation.

Before the hard hats arrive, why not pop in and say goodbye to your favourite exhibits, take a stroll through the Winter Gardens and make some final memories of the Museum as it is today.

This isn’t goodbye forever; it’s the start of an exciting new chapter. In the meantime, keep an eye out for Museum events and activities coming up in venues across the city.

ℹ Find out more: https://www.sunderlandculture.org.uk/sunderland-museum-winter-gardens/redevelopment/

ℹ FAQs: https://www.sunderlandculture.org.uk/blog/museum-redevelopment-frequently-asked-questions/

13/08/2026

Interactive garden to remember loved ones🌳

Memorial Birdsongs is an interactive installation by artist Scott Hessles, coming to Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens this month after meaningful exhibitions across the world.

Using your phone, you can dedicate a birdsong and artwork to someone in your thoughts. You'll receive a digital keepsake and can visit your chosen birdsong on one of the birdhouse speakers in the garden.

Over the course of the exhibition, the trees will fill with a growing community choir of birdsongs, each representing someone who is remembered and loved.

Visit the exhibition from Friday 21 to Saturday 29 August as part of 404 Festival.

Find out more at sunderlandculture.org.uk/whats-on/memorial-birdsongs

Memorial Birdsongs is part of 404 International Festival of Art and Technology, funded and supported by North East Mayoral Strategic Authority, Northumbria University, Northern Dance, Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens, Newcastle Contemporary Art, Universidad Nacional de Rosario (Argentina), Faculty of Humanities and Arts (Argentina), CTRL+Z Centre for Art, Technology and Education Studies, Sitios Hispanos, Anno Lab (Japan) and Institute of General Semantics (New York City).

12/08/2026

Just announced - Nature Explorers

Join us in Mowbray Park Community Garden for some forest school inspired activities to explore nature with your family.

📅Monday 17, 24 August & Wednesday 19 August
1pm - 3pm / Ages 7 - 11 / Free

ℹ More info: https://www.sunderlandculture.org.uk/whats-on/nature-explorers/

12/08/2026

Join us for Mowbray Movers

This is a low impact exercise class aimed at residents who are 50+, and people with long term health conditions.

Everyone has different ability levels, and these classes are designed by a qualified strength and balance coach so everyone can take part and have an enjoyable exercise session in nature. All equipment is provided.

📅 Fridays 14 August, 4, 11, 18, 25 September
🕢 2pm - 2:45pm
Drop in session – no booking required
Mowbray Park Community Garden

ℹ More info: https://www.sunderlandculture.org.uk/whats-on/mowbray-movers/