National Glass Centre

Housed in a spectacular architecturally designed glass and steel building situated on the north bank of the River Wear in Sunderland the National Glass Centre is a unique cultural venue and visitor attraction.

Adults, children, individuals and group tours can enjoy a full range of exhibitions exploring ideas inspired by glass through our exhibitions and galleries, workshops and activities. We are home to the UK's largest art glass making facilities for kiln forming, stained glass, lampworking and hot and cold working. These techniques are used daily by our in house studio artists, who perform live glass blowing demonstrations 3 times daily.

Our Glass Design and Craft Shop stocks a wide range of the very best in UK contemporary glass, ceramics and jewellery as well as books, lighting and varied art craft offering something for every occasion.

Finally why not relax and enjoy fine food and wine from our chef's award winning menu in our riverside restaurant, ThrowingStones open daily from 10am - 5pm. To book a table, call 0191 565 3939.

Accessibility:

Vaqas Accreditation

Gradings

VAQAS VB Attraction VAQAS

Awards

Visit Britain Code of Practice 2010

Opening Times

Open All Year

01/01/2008 - 31/12/2010
Day	Times
Monday	10:00	17:00
Tuesday	10:00	17:00
Wednesday	10:00	17:00
Thursday	10:00	17:00
Friday	10:00	17:00
Saturday	10:00	17:00
Sunday	10:00	17:00
Bank Holiday	10:00	17:00

Prices

Ticket Type	Ticket Tariff
Admission	Free

Note: Prices are a guide only and may change on a daily basis.

Related Events

Road Directions

From North: Depart Tyne Tunnel and follow A19 to Sunderland for approximately 4 miles. Take A1231 Sunderland/Gateshead exit and turn left at the roundabout (A1231) Sunderland.

From South: Join A19 North and take A1231 Sunderland/Gateshead exit. Turn left at the roundabout (A1231 Sunderland).

Follow the brown directional signs to the National Glass Centre.

Public Transport Directions

Metro: Nearest station is St Peters or Sunderland Station.

Cycle: The National Glass Centre is part of the C2C Cycle Route and the Coast to Coast Cycle Trail from Whitehaven, Cumbria to Roker in Sunderland.

By Train: Regular services operate between Sunderland and Newcastle every 30 minutes. Travelling from the east coast mainline (Darlington, Leeds and London) is via Newcastle. There is a direct rail link to Sunderland from Middlesbrough every hour.

Facilities

Provider Features

In town/city centre
Indoor Attraction
No Smoking Attraction

Accessibility

All Areas Accessible to Disabled Visitors
Facilities for Hearing Impaired Visitors - Induction loops in pod conference room and education room.
Facilities for Visually Impaired Visitors - Large print and braille information and signage.
Guide Dogs Permitted
Parking Areas for Disabled Visitors
Ramp / Level Access
Toilets for Disabled Visitors

Parking & Transport

Car parking
On site parking
Parking (free)

Catering

On-Site café/restaurant - Restaurant catering for 100 people, serving full meals and snacks throughout the day. Special group discount packages available.
Picnic Site

Payment Methods

Approx length of visit - 2 hours to 1/2 a day
Blue Badge Guides admitted free
Delta accepted
Groups Accepted - Essential to prebook.
Maestro accepted
MasterCard accepted
Special group rates - Meal packages
Sterling Travellers Cheques accepted
TIC Staff Admitted Free
Visa accepted

Provider Facilities

Conference facilities - Five different rooms of various sizes can accomodate groups up to 250 people.
Event Venue
Toilets

Target Markets

Family Fun - Workshops held regularly, please contact reception for a What's on Guide
Marketed Towards Children
Marketed Towards Families
Marketed Towards Senior Citizens
Marketed Towards Students / Youth

Tours and Demonstrations

Demonstrations Given
Educational Visits Accepted - 5 meeting rooms available which can hold between 1 and 250 people.
Guided Tours Available for Groups
Guided Tours Available for Individuals