Although Sunderland’s origins are ancient, the town achieved size only with the Industrial Revolution when ship building became the main industry of this Tyne and Wear coal port, and at one time was responsible for making Sunderland one of the greatest shipbuilding centers in the world. Today Sunderland is a growing City, home to the Nissan car plant and the Stadium of Light.

The University City, of Sunderland has much to offer those who live in and visit the area, including, Washington Old Hall and the North East Aircraft Museum, a number of historic buildings and castles, as well as the Royalty Theatre and Sunderland Empire.

Sunderland can be viewed as a whole from Mowbrey Park, next to the bronze statue of General Sir Henry Havelock, hero of the Indian Mutiny, which offers great panoramic views of the town, docks and sea.