The best museums in Sunderland in September 2025

These are the top 5 best museums in Sunderland, England, ranked by their rating and popularity in 2025. Click a museum for more information about the museum, including visitor information, exhibitions and reviews.

For a complete overview of museums in Sunderland, their exhibitions and discount cards & passes, see our overview page with all museums in Sunderland.

Looking for the best museums in Sunderland? These are the best ones:

  1. Souter Lighthouse and The Leas1

    Souter Lighthouse and The Leas

     Sunderland
    Souter Lighthouse, located in the village of Marsden in South Shields, England, holds a significant place in the history of lighthouse technology. It was the first lighthouse in the world that was specifically designed and built to use alternating electric current, which was the most advanced lighthouse technology of its time. This technological innovation made it a crucial aid for maritime navigation, especially given the number of shipwrecks on the dangerous Whitburn Steel reefs in the surrounding area.
  2. Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens2

    Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens

     Sunderland
    The Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens, located in Sunderland, England, is a municipal museum that was established in the year 1846. It holds the distinction of being one of the first municipally funded museums in the country outside London. The museum was initially set up in the Athenaeum Building on Fawcett Street and has since moved to a larger building next to Mowbray Park.
  3. Monkwearmouth Station Museum3

    Monkwearmouth Station Museum

     Sunderland
    The Monkwearmouth Railway Station, located in Sunderland, England, is a historical site that served the city from 1848 to 1967. The station was designed by Thomas Moore and was once the main railway station in the city. Today, it stands as a testament to the city's rich railway history.
  4. Ryhope Engines Museum4

    Ryhope Engines Museum

     Sunderland
    The Ryhope Engines Museum is a visitor attraction located in the Ryhope suburb of Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, England. This Grade II* listed building is a popular landmark in Ryhope and is based at The Ryhope Pumping Station, which was operational for 100 years before closing in 1967.
  5. 5

    North East Land, Sea and Air Museum

     Sunderland
    The North East Land, Sea and Air Museums (NELSAM), previously known as the North East Aircraft Museum, is a volunteer-operated aviation museum. It is located on the grounds of the former RAF Usworth/Sunderland Airport, nestled between Washington and Sunderland, in Tyne and Wear, England. This museum offers a unique opportunity to explore the rich history of aviation in the region.

All museums in Sunderland