Sunderland: A Warm Welcome & Hidden Gems

Sunderland: A Warm Welcome and Hidden Gems!

Our first day in Sunderland started quietly, but a touch of homesickness crept in for Tracey – a feeling of distance from home and familiar faces. Pepper, sensing the mood, enjoyed an extra-long morning walk as Tracey processed her thoughts. Luckily, the sun graced us with its presence, temporarily dispelling the predicted rain and brightening the mood considerably. Back on board, Tracey diligently caught up on the blog and edited photos and videos to share. We also secured a Tesco delivery for Monday, the earliest slot available. Dinner called, and with little knowledge of the local culinary scene beyond a few spots on Roker Beach, we ventured out. Our first stop, The Harbour View pub, was bustling with lively groups – a promising sign! However, they didn't serve food, so we ambled down the road to The Wolsey. Here, silence reigned; the place was almost empty and completely devoid of atmosphere. After ordering drinks, the barman casually informed us food service had stopped at 7 pm, an hour prior. A quick call from Nick secured a table at the Marina Vista, a restaurant boasting prime views from the top floor of the marina building. We promptly downed our drinks and headed over. The Marina Vista was buzzing with energy, several birthday parties adding to the lively ambiance. The staff were wonderfully friendly and helpful, and we soon found ourselves at a table, enjoying a bottle of wine with our dinner ordered. The food was really good – a definite recommendation for any visitors – and we rounded off the meal with a couple of Limoncellos. It was precisely what we needed: a night out for ourselves, with Pepper safely tucked away in her crate back on the boat. We returned, vowing that tomorrow would be a day of wider exploration.

Exploring Sunderland's Charms

Sunday arrived, bringing with it glorious sunshine and, even better, a significant drop in wind. We woke to a pleasant surprise: messages on Facebook from locals who had seen our Limoncello post the previous night, extending a warm welcome to Sunderland and offering fantastic suggestions for our day. Our first mission: breakfast at Grannie Annie's, located on the seafront where Pepper had enjoyed her beach run. We decided to let the locals guide our day, as much as possible. Grannie Annie's delivered a good, reasonably priced breakfast, and they were wonderfully dog-friendly. Afterward, Pepper had another chance to zoom around on the beach as we slowly made our way back towards the marina.

Next, Nick was keen to visit the RNA (Royal Navy Association) club, which he knew was nearby. We headed away from the marina and seemed to walk for ages down Roker Avenue in search of the club. Nick had phoned ahead to ensure Pepper was allowed, but upon arrival, we were initially told no dogs were permitted. Thankfully, the lady spoke to someone else who granted us entry, with the caveat that we'd need to leave by 2 pm. As it was just past noon, we paid our 50p entrance fee and went in. The large bar and lounge area was surprisingly quiet, save for a couple of gentlemen at one table. They had a TV advertising upcoming events, with dates stretching to November 2026, featuring numerous tribute bands and music nights. We couldn't fathom why it was so empty. Soon, a few more people arrived, two gentlemen who both made a delightful fuss of Pepper, which she naturally adored. We spent a while chatting, and they told us about other sights, including St. Peter's Church near the National Glass Centre, another spot worth visiting. They also pointed out the iconic red and white striped Roker Pier Lighthouse at the harbour entrance. Completed in 1903 after over 18 years of construction, the pier and its sister, New South Pier, were built at the height of Sunderland's shipbuilding prowess to protect the vital harbour docks and shipping. The pier features a tunnel running its entire half-mile length, once the only way for the keeper to reach the lighthouse in stormy weather. Though the lighthouse keeper role ended in the 1970s and the lighthouse suffered vandalism, Sunderland City Council began painstaking restoration in 2012. Tours through the tunnels and up to the restored lighthouse are currently halted due to storm damage in 2023, but repairs are underway, with hopes of resuming tours within the next 12-16 weeks. It was a shame not to visit, but learning about its history was fascinating. By the way, Pepper did us proud and was so good, the lady said that we didn’t need to leave.

Hidden Wonders and Yacht Club Hospitality

After a few drinks at the RNA club, we decided to search for another intriguing suggestion from Facebook: the North Dock Tufa. This proved to be one of those little gems hidden right under our noses, easily missed without local knowledge. It's not signposted, but it lies literally behind the Marina Activities Centre. You find it by entering the Marina Centre, turning left, and exiting through the next door. What awaits is a fascinating display of calcite stalactites and stalagmites, formed over centuries by dripping water. It's widely believed to have been discovered in 1992 during the marina's development, when old fishing huts were removed, though some locals claim to have known about it long before. It's particularly renowned for its beauty when illuminated at night. It was truly a testament to the power of social media for uncovering local treasures!

Having explored the Tufa, we then made our way to the Sunderland Yacht Club. The club building stands separately from the marina, boasting its own moorings and yard. We weren't sure if it would be open, but we'd chatted with a couple of members earlier who were heading out racing. After knocking and pressing a few buttons at the entrance, a friendly lady appeared. We explained we were visiting yachtsmen hoping for a drink, and she readily invited us in, even asking a group of members to make space at their table for us. We joined them, learning a little of the club's history – how their original building had been compulsory purchased for the surrounding estate, and how they'd secured grant funding for their impressive new building. It was incredibly spacious inside, with a purpose-built race office occupying the top floor. They run both yacht and dinghy racing out of the club. We couldn't have asked for a more hospitable welcome and were even given a Sunderland Yacht Club cap as a souvenir!

After dodging yet another brief rain shower, we decided to head back to the boat, pretty exhausted from all the walking, but what a day it had been! A day that started with no real plan, transformed into an enriching experience, leaving us feeling incredibly welcomed and grateful for the time locals had spent sharing their knowledge. Too tired for more walking, and with our fridge looking bare awaiting the morning's Tesco delivery, we ordered a pizza delivery. Once eaten, we closed up the boat for the night, our tired limbs yearning for a well-deserved rest. Czytaj więcej