Monkwearmouth Station Museum

Plan a day out with the kids in Sunderland to visit Monkwearmouth Station Museum. The museum is sited in an original 1840s Victorian station building that was commissioned by the famous railway entrepreneur George Hudson and designed by Thomas Moore, Sunderland’s first notable architect. Interactive displays have brought the station to life once more and personal stories harking back to a bygone age give insight into a time when this was the city’s main station, buzzing with life as people went about their business. Find out about life in the preserved 1860s ticket office and hear about the stationmaster’s daily life and his home life in the rooms above. There are seven interactive galleries, including the specially designed Children’s Gallery with a play train where children can take charge of the controls and a dressing-up box with uniforms of a paramedic, fireman and policeman. Find also transport-related toys and storybooks and a Platform Gallery for waving to trains. The Sidings development houses a Wagon Shed with two restored railways wagons, one a 1916 Goods Brake Van and the other a 1939 Covered Carriage Truck Р with a Rover P4 classic car inside. Make time to see the film that puts these vehicles in context. The Journeys Gallery looks into everything about journeys and why people make them, exploring themes such as ФFood on the Move’ and ФWar Time Journeys’; see rare film footage of Sunderland 100 years ago. Younger visitors will enjoy climbing on board an original Sunderland bus cab and sitting in the driving seat. Look out for the interesting programme of events and exhibitions. It’s also a fascinating way to celebrate a child’s birthday with a party at the station.