Sunderland is an ex-industrial town, with a population of around 200,000 people, on the northeast coast set either side of the River Wear. Despite industry having disappeared for the most part, Sunderland has become increasingly vibrant due to the whole-sale regeneration of the City since achieving city status in 1992. Sunderland now has a large student population (around 17,000), which has lead to the city becoming much more student-friendly in recent times.
Sunderland city centre is on the south side of the Wear and contains a wealth of shops, restaurants and bars. The bridges shopping centre is right in the middle of town incorporating most of the big name boutiques, electronic stores and a department store. In the evening the city comes to life with a wide variety of restaurants, bars and nightclubs, continuing until late in the night, and even the early morning! Also in town are Sunderland’s museum, art gallery and newly built winter gardens. These adjoin the large and impressive Mobray Park and gardens.
Just outside of the city centre, on the north side of the river are Sunderland’s two largest beaches. Although little known, Sunderland has the largest stretch of sand beach of any city in England and the beaches at Roker and Seaburn continually win the blue flag award for cleanliness. At the beach there are opportunities for water sports such as surfing, kayaking and sailing, along with other more sedate activities.
There are plenty of sports orientated activities in Sunderland with facilities for almost all sports. The first Olympic sized swimming pool north of Leeds opened its doors in 2008, to go along with the excellent facilities for football, hockey, swimming and squash at the recently built Raich Carter Centre. The city even has the north east’s only artificial ski slope at the Silksworth centre. For the less active among us, who enjoy watching sport rather than playing, Sunderland boasts the fourth biggest Premiership football ground at the Stadium of Light with a capacity of 50,000 people. Every two weeks throughout the season it is possible to go and see some of the biggest names in world football playing, with tickets fairly easily available. Twenty minutes away by bus is Chester-le-Street, home to Durham County Cricket Club and hosts to many international games of cricket throughout the season.
On Sunderland’s doorstep are the older cities of Durham and Newcastle which are both excellent places to visit on a day trip. Both have historic buildings, great shopping and a good nightlife; and they are only 30 minutes away by metro or bus.
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