Try out Glass Blowing at the National Glass Centre

Sunderland, Tyne and Wear

Take a masterclass in glass at this modern museum, which celebrates 1,400 years of a local craft with glittering displays and glassmakers in action.

Sunderland has been famed for its exquisite glassware ever since the 7th century, when locally made stained-glass windows adorned monasteries and churches for hundreds of miles around. 

The National Glass Centre honours that tradition with interactive exhibits and galleries filled with historic and contemporary glass masterpieces. You can watch expert glassmaker’s craft stunning pieces before your eyes. Book ahead and you can even try your own hand at glass blowing.

Afterwards, seek out the stunning stained glass at nearby St Peter’s Church, one of the UK’s earliest stone churches, dating all the way back to 674AD. The church was once home to Venerable Bede, ‘The Father of English History’. 

Also worth exploring close by are the Riverside Sculpture Trail, the beach and marina.

The National Glass Centre is a short walk from St Peter’s Metro Station in Sunderland, which is a 3-hour train ride north from London.

Content provided by See it Do it Sunderland

Read more Close

Refine your search:

Exterior of National Glass CentreExterior of National Glass Centre © See it Do it Sunderland
Exterior of St. Peter's ChurchExterior of St. Peter's Church © See it Do it Sunderland
Doorway of St. Peter's ChurchDoorway of St. Peter's Church © See it Do it Sunderland
Stained glass window of St. Peter's ChurchStained glass window of St. Peter's Church © See it Do it Sunderland
Glass blowing at the National Glass CentreGlass blowing at the National Glass Centre © See it Do it Sunderland

VisitEngland would like to invite you to take part in a short survey about our website, it should take no more than a couple of minutes.

Go to the survey

To add items to favourites …

… you need to be logged in.

If you already have an account, log in.

Or register a

Access your account

Enter your e-mail address or username.
Enter the password that accompanies your e-mail.
Forgot your password? Recover your account
Don't have an account? Register an account