Sunderland Guide: Sunderland Marina

Location: Next to the A183, Monkwearmouth, accessible from the Riverside Walk and Roker Beach

For 200 years on the upper side of the River Wear sat a small box shaped cutout of which was known as “The North Dock”. A critical part of Sunderland’s exports, the North Dock was connected by railway to Monkwearmouth and Hylton Collieries wherein coal was transported to shipped out. However, at the end of the 20th century Sunderland’s coal mining industries ultimately closed down and left the North dock redundant.

In the 1990s, following the closure of Monkwearmouth Colliery, the old North Dock was subsequently transformed into “Sunderland Marina” a fancy hub for local fishing boats and yachts, combined with public art sculptures. The Marina is now an excellent, uplifting and pleasant area to visit and walk around, with a great maritime and “at sea” atmosphere to it. There is also a direct thorough way onto Roker beach.

There are two ways you can get to Sunderland Marina. You can either walk directly down the steps from the A183 road at Monkwearmouth straight to it, or you can attach it to a longer and more scenic route down from Wearmouth Bridge and walk up through the Riverside, past St. Peter’s Campus and the National Glass Centre.

Nearby amenities: Marina Vista (On site Italian restaurant), Roker Promenade Cafes and Restaurants, Harbour View Pub (uphill), Queen Vic Hotel (Uphill), Cafe Bungalow.