Schools
Combine excellence in teaching with enjoyment in learning.
Explore local history in 20th Century Sunderland, Coal and Launched on Wearside. Investigate Anglo-Saxon and Bronze Age life in Secrets of the Past. The Art collections include Victorian and L. S. Lowry paintings. There are also collections of pottery, glass and North East textile crafts on permanent display. The Winter Gardens allow bananas, lemon trees, palms, tree ferns and cacti to grow under the same roof. Explore the prehistoric feel of Fern Gully and the heights of the canopy on the Treetop Walk. Worlds Alive and Lost Worlds show the diversity of life on earth on a local and global scale.
Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens is an essential part of any history, science, or art and design study, but we can also provide exciting days out as part of maths, literacy, travel and tourism, and more.
Our dedicated Schools Online site is currently being redeveloped for the new school term and will be relaunched shortly. Until then, please contact the venue directly on (0191) 553 2323.
What is there to see?
Please see our Displays and Curriculum Links section for more details.
How do I book?
To book please contact the Learning Team on 0191 553 2323.
If you would like to make a visit enquiry for an event that requires booking you can use our online visit enquiry form.
Can I make a preliminary visit?
We recommend that you make a preliminary visit. Learning staff can meet with you to give advice on getting the most out of your visit.
How long will a visit take?
Organised workshops within the museum last 1.5 - 2 hours depending on the focus of the visit. To visit the whole Museum we recommend a full day visit.
How much will a visit cost?
Admission is free.
What do I do on arrival?
Please report to the reception desk on arrival.
How many adults should I bring?
Please bring at least one adult for every ten children. The adults are responsible for the children at all times during the visit. Please try to prepare the adult helpers before you come, letting them know the aim of your visit can make it a much more valuable experience for them and the children.
Are there any safety issues?
The Museum & Winter Gardens are perfectly safe but there are several areas where extra care should be taken. The floor in the Winter Gardens is often wet, from watering the plants, and care should be taken on the footpaths. There is a fish pool, which is deep in places, and a shallow babbling brook, with no edging, which runs alongside the footpath. Access to the treetop walk is via a scenic glass lift or a long steel spiral staircase. The stairs have open risers and quite a high level banister. Children must be carefully supervised in these areas.
Where can we have lunch?
There are 2 education spaces which can be booked for packed lunches. The rooms are equipped with sinks, craft tables and chairs. The rooms also have their own accessible toilets.
The Rowland Burdon Room can seat up to 40.
The Jack Crawford Room can seat up to 60 people.
Are there toilets?
There are accessible toilets on all floors.
Is there a shop?
The shop has a range of inexpensive souvenir items for children. If you allow children to use the shop please plan in plenty of time for them to do so. It is helpful for us if you bring children to the shop in small groups.
What is there to see?
Please see our Displays and Curriculum Links section for more details.
How do I book?
Please let us know in advance if you would like to make a visit. This allows us to avoid overcrowding in the building and gives you better access to the gallery's displays. To book please telephone the Learning Officer on 0191 553 2323. Fax-back booking forms are also available - Fax 0191 553 7828.
If you would like to make a visit enquiry for an event that requires booking you can use our online visit enquiry form
Do you have a risk assessment?
No, but we have already identified the hazards for you. The hazard identification forms can be found in the download section.
Are there any downloads?
Teacher's packs and hazard ID's can be found in the download section of the website.