Looking out from the National Glass Centre, in Sunderland
In my Monday post A promenade to Roker we took a walk through Sunderland’s ship building past. Though ships are no longer built here, a thriving cargo trade has developed on the River Wear today. The National Glass Centre occupies the former site of J. L. Thompson and Sons shipyard, on the north bank of the river, and is witness to most of the comings and goings.
Glass making was introduced to Britain from France in 674, specifically for the windows of the Monkwearmouth-Jarrow Priory, which stood not far from here. The industry thrived on cheap local coal in the 18th century, and Sunderland gradually established a name for glass. The Pyrex factory was based here until its closure in 2007.
The construction of the National Glass Centre in 1998 was a bold move, part of a regeneration scheme in a declining area. Today the centre is free to visit, with daily guided tours.
You can keep an eye on the boats while you admire the glassware
I know someone who loves owls!
Part of the fascination is watching the glass workers ply their trade.
Behind glass, of course!
There’s bound to be an element of danger, isn’t there?
The building itself is quite interesting, and there’s a restaurant looking out onto the riverside.
And in the vestibule, possibly my favourite thing- this suspended glass sculpture.
Let’s raise a glass!
The National Glass Centre website gives full details of opening times, events and free tours.
I really enjoyed putting this post together for Dawn’s weekly Lingering Look at Windows challenge. Hope you like it too.
restlessjo 
What a clever take on this challenge. Such a contrast of this lovely glass center and the huge ships across the way.
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I had great fun with it, Lynne. Nice to have a ‘different’ subject, and this one seemed ready made for this challenge. 🙂
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Wonderful windows this week!!
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Thank you so much, Cee 🙂 They are quite unique, aren’t they?
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Love these pics Jo, the owls particularly! Glass blowing is fascinating isn’t it? 🙂
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I absolutely love stained glass and glass wares, Sherri. The process seems quite amazing to me. 🙂
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Me too, I’m fascinated to watch it 🙂
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Look at that.. you have owls too :D. Amazing what one can see through a window 😀
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I like your owl better, Paula 🙂
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there is so much to see on the glass and beyond – so interesting! ~y.
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It was great fun taking the shots, Yvette 🙂
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Thanks for the visit Jo, at least coming along with you saved me a few hundred quid 🙂
Those ships are a bit of a distraction though I suppose if you’d tried to photograph the displays from outside you’d have got all sorts of other reflections in the glass. And I never knew where pyrex came from. I still have a couple of bowls that belonged to my mother!!
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I liked the backdrop of the ships, Jude, in a contrary way, but you’re right- not so easy to get good shots from outside. I played silly beggars for ages while the walkers were inside having lunch 🙂
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Lovely glass sculptures. I too love the owls and the suspended sculpture. I saw a beautiful chandelier made of wine glasses in a fancy winery just a couple of weeks ago when we went to Margaret River, one of Perth’s favourite getaway towns
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It amazes me what can be done with glass, Sami. I find it totally beautiful 🙂
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This place is incredible but I am completely in love with those owls! They would certainly complete (or add to) my collection!
Hope your well, Jo. I hope you don’t mind, I saved the owls and will attempt to crop for my wallpaper. LOVE THEM!
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Those owls were just for you, Gem, but I hardly liked to name names. I’m happy they found you 🙂
Hugs!
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Thank you.
😉
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I’d love to see the wallpaper 🙂
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Sent you an email. 😉
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Just the smile I needed on a cold and miserable day 🙂
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Sending you blue skies and sunshine. 🙂
xxx
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Fabulous pics, Jo. Great views through these windows, and I also love the suspended glass sculpture. Exquisite! 🙂
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It was such a fun place for taking photos, Ad. I’m hoping to go back some time and walk the other way along the river. 🙂
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I would have difficulty choosing one piece to take home with me. They are so unique. By the way, I love the owls too 🙂
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They’re real show stealers, aren’t they, Colline? There were quite a few pieces I coveted, too 🙂
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I love too that you could watch the glass makers through the windows.
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Glassware is fascinating. Beautiful displays!
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It must be amazing to be able to make these things out of glass, Amy! I just stand and stare.
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That family of owls is completely adorable. Lots of attention to detail there.
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There were some really beautiful pieces, Jodi. I just picked out a few 🙂
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Pyrex closed? Their products were all over the world. We used to Spanishize (?) it to PEE-rex 🙂
The restaurant looks like a great place for lunch (unless it’s raining, and it being England, chances of rain are good! )
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No, never rains in England, Ana! (not for the past week, anyway 🙂 ) ‘Peerex’ and a company called Corning were highly successful globally. Funny how times change.
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I love glass artists, and this looks like an amazing place, Jo. I would love wandering around here. I love the suspended glass sculpture and the quirky eyes. And what a setting, right along the quay. Looks like another good day for Jo! 🙂 xxx
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I combined this with the riverside walk, Cathy, and it makes a great day out. I suspect you would have loved the food in the restaurant, but, of course, I didn’t indulge! (too busy taking photos 🙂 Just as well because I know you hate food photos!
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Haha, yes, I really do hate food photos! They make my mouth water too much. 🙂 It looks like a lovely day and I would have enjoyed accompanying you on your photo walk, Jo. Looks like you’re out and about quite frequently these days. 🙂
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Can’t stay in when the weather’s nice, Cathy, and it’s been a lovely week so my legs are worn out! Freezing today though 😦 Went to Newcastle to meet a friend but the sky was too grey and uninviting for many photos.
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I know what you mean, Jo. I always want to get outdoors when the weather is nice, which seems to be rare these days. I do plan to venture out in the snow today though.
Sometimes it seems these gray skies make for dreary photos. As the storyteller photographers say, “weather is your friend.” So I guess we have to try to make the best of even the bad weather. We went out yesterday to Great Falls and it was so dreary out. I wish the sun had been shining so I could have had better pictures. 🙂
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This morning was grey and I haven’t checked the shots yet. If it is I try to focus more on specific or colourful things and close ups rather than panoramic. 🙂
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Yes, I try to do the same, Jo. It’s another gray day here today and still lots of snow on the ground. Still. I’ll go out to walk and brave the elements. 🙂
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How cool! I love the owls!
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So cute, aren’t they? I love glass work, Jill. My mum used to have a china cabinet with glass bells and oriental pieces. It always fascinated me. 🙂
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My mother collects the Hummel bells. Her sister collected glass work. I love it too!
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Fascinated me, dear Johanna, you made amazing shots there. Thank you, love, nia
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They were really fun to take, Nia 🙂 I hardly knew whether to look in or out!
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One of my favorite things to do 🙂 Hope I can get a lot of bench time this spring 🙂
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Is it difficult, Eunice? I wouldn’t know where to start but I totally love glass work. 🙂
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No it is pure FUN!!! Melt and FORM 🙂
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Love this post for the challenge. I must admit, I’m also fascinated watching glass workers ply their trade. It almost feels like watching a lost art.
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Thanks, Sandy 🙂 I thought it was tailor made for “Windows”.
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Fascinating!some very individual pieces, and it really is ‘a room with a view’…
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I really enjoyed my visit, Sue, and am determined to go back soon and walk the other way along the river. 🙂
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Look forward to the photos….
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🙂
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The Glass Centre looks really interesting, I fancy a trip. Trouble is, my Geordie wife won’t go near Sunderland 😦 I used to have one of those ‘light bulbs’ as a kid – they turn as a result of the sun falling on the alternate black and white surfaces of the blades. Thanks Jo – happy memories again.
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Dare I suggest you ‘go without her?’ 🙂
The light bulbs are brilliant and I took lots of shots of the glass sculpture in the vestibule, which is entirely made up of them. Thanks for your enthusiasm, Robin.
Go on! Go South! The natives are almost friendly.
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