Winter Gardens, Sunderland

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I really didn’t think I was going to have quite so much fun when I suggested to Jude that I might visit the Winter Gardens in Sunderland. It’s a number of years since I was there, and I had completely forgotten about the extensive gardens of Mowbray Park, adjoining Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens.  The luxury of a bright, sunny morning was all the invitation I needed.

It’s a bit of a rags to riches story.  In 1831 Sunderland recorded its first cholera epidemic, and a health inspector recommended that a leafy area would benefit the town.  A grant of £750 was provided by the government to buy a plot of land from local landowners, the Mowbray family, and turn it into a park.  On 12th May, 1857, shops closed early and thousands flocked to attend the opening ceremony.  In 1866 a lake and terraces were added and, in 1879, the Winter Gardens and museum.

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For me, one of the park’s most attractive features is the cast iron work.  When the Second World War came along many of the iron structures, including bridge and bandstand, were taken away to be melted down for weapons, and open space was converted to vegetable patches.  Fortunately a huge restoration programme took place in the 1990s.  Many features, including the William Hall Drinking Fountain shown above, were renewed.

It being January, plants had taken a bit of a back seat, but I was delighted to come upon an early rhododendron bursting into bloom, and a cheery carpet of aconites, pierced by spikes of snowdrops.  The gazebo, I found tucked in a contemplative corner.

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Sunderland has strong links with the author Lewis Carroll.  A walrus sculpture by the lake commemorates the link.

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I bet you’re itching to get inside those Winter Gardens now, aren’t you?  There’s a surprise or two in store.

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The plant house towers high over your head, and a spiral staircase carries you up to the canopy.  Rising through it, a colossal water sculpture, designed by William Pye.  It’s hard to resist touching the column of moving water.

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The Winter Gardens cater well for children, seeking to engage as well as educate.  I dodged around several parties of small children, engrossed in identification of plants and doing much better than me.

Of course, you can only find bougainvillea in a hot house.  Just the place for me!  The museum was quite fascinating too, and I promise to take you back there one day.  For now, you’d better hurry if you have a Winter Garden to share with Jude.

136 comments

    1. Well, there are choices, Ad, because it’s in the city centre. 🙂 There’s a nice enough little cafe in the Winter Gardens but we did chance upon a divine Italian restaurant (‘Divino’), just over the road.

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  5. Sorry I am so late to visit, but so glad I finally made it! Sunderland has never appealed to me as a place to live, but I bet the views from that apartment block next to the Winter Gardens must be very nice. Glad that my winter garden theme has encouraged people to see what winter gardens are around and so nice to see the winter aconites 🙂 And thank you my friend for going to the trouble of introducing me to this wonderful park and glasshouse.

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    1. We had such a nice morning (and lunch 🙂 ) out, Jude. Sunderland is a bit of a hotch potch, but it has its moments. I’m quite excited to be going to the theatre there the day after I get back from the Algarve, to see Vincent and Flavia ( Argentine Tango experts, ex-Strictly). I was so impressed with how the garden looks right now. I knew the water sculpture was my kind of thing, but the garden really surprised me. The little sea of aconites are such a joyful sight, so thanks for sending me there. 🙂

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  11. Mowbray Park, another childhood haunt. The library and the museum were housed together then, and the Winter Gardens didn’t exist, though I have been in them, a few years back when we were down in Newcastle for a Silver Wedding. I dragged John on the Metro to Sunderland and South Shields (great curries!) Thanks for the memories.

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  12. Loved this post, Jo…..and initially wondered why I didn’t know this place when in S’land – then I saw that it wasn’t renovated until the 1990s

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  13. What a full-of-surprises ramble Jo. I particularly love the shots of the glasshouse / winter garden (?) in the company of walruses and bare boughs; the wrought iron (how do you actually drink at the drinking fountain?); the looking up shots; the water sculpture; the great history, origins and WW2; and the “contemplative corner” (a lovely phrase – I’m going to find such a place in Warsaw.)

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    1. I’m sure you will find just such a corner, Meg 🙂 I have to admit, I didn’t check if the fountain was still working, but you’d have to bend down a lot 🙂 Thanks, hon.

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  18. I’m so glad I saw your post – not only did I enjoy it, but you’ve reminded me I had forgotten to link today’s post in to the challenge, which would have been ironic as that’s what set me off looking for winter gardens in the first place. This looks like a lovely garden to visit.

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    1. I really had totally forgotten that the park adjoined the Winter Gardens, Carol, so it was a real treat for me. I loved that fountain and the iron bridge, and the aconites were a complete surprise. Perhaps it’s almost Spring 🙂

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  20. Drove through Sunderland a year or so ago, and thought this place looks as though it deserves a visit one day. Now it’s a wow must go back and visit.
    Lovely post Jo 😊

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    1. Thanks, Becky 🙂 Some of it is a bit run down but it has high spots. I think you saw my post on Roker lighthouse not long since. Same neck of the woods. 🙂 Discovered a great Italian restaurant that I meant to include in the post too. Might have to go back and put it in. 🙂

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