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Cheap trains to Sunderland and the North East
Things to do in Sunderland and the North East
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Whether you’re looking for cheap train tickets to Sunderland for you and your family, or you’re heading to the north-east for work, choose Grand Central for all your rail travel needs. With fantastic onboard facilities, wallet-friendly fares and regular train times to Sunderland, you can get where you need to be with ease.
Perhaps you’re visiting Eaglescliffe to catch up with relatives? Or are you heading to Hartlepool to visit the National Museum of the Royal Navy? Wherever you’re going, our connections will help you to explore the north-east even further.
Find out more about travelling with Grand Central below, including what facilities to expect on board, things to do in the north-east and how to book a cheap train ticket to Sunderland.
How to get the cheapest train ticket to Sunderland
If you want to travel to the north-east without breaking the bank, rest assured there are many great value train tickets to Sunderland and other destinations that you can take advantage of. There are several different types of tickets to choose from – and which offers the best value will depend on when you’re travelling and how flexible you can be with the time you hop onboard.
The three main types of train ticket are Advance, Anytime and Off-Peak. If you’re searching for the cheapest train ticket to Sunderland or other stations in the north-east, it may be worth considering Advance tickets. Often, the best value fares can be found when you book in advance, which makes this a great option if you know exactly the time and date you want to travel. Plus, you can also get an extra 25% student discount today when you book Advance tickets with a valid university email address and student ID card.
If you can travel any time of the day, it may be worth checking out an Off-Peak train ticket to Sunderland. These are typically valid for train times outside the rush hour and are often cheaper than Peak tickets, making this an easy way to save. Or, if you need a little more flexibility, Anytime tickets can be used on any valid train, giving you a little more wiggle room.
You can also bag yourself cheap train tickets to Sunderland and beyond by taking advantage of our offers, such as Multibuy and Group Travel discounts.
What facilities are onboard Grand Central trains?
We want to make your journey as comfortable and enjoyable as possible, which is why we have a range of fantastic facilities onboard our trains. Take advantage of the free Wi-Fi available throughout the carriages to catch up with work, listen to music or relax with an online article. Or sit back and relax with refreshments from our onboard menu, which includes hot and cold drinks, sandwiches and snacks.
If you’d like to enjoy superior comfort on your journey, we have First Class and business travel available on our trains. With large reclining seats, lots of leg room and complimentary snacks and drinks, it’s the perfect place to relax and enjoy your trip.
Are there regular train times to Sunderland and the north-east?
Absolutely, there are plenty of train times to Sunderland and the north-east to choose from, so we’re sure you’ll find a service that suits your diary. Exactly what time trains arrive and how many services there are throughout the day will depend on which station you’re travelling from. To find the right train time for you, enter your departure station into the box at the top of the page and fill in the rest of the travel details. Then, hit ‘Search and Buy’ to explore the train times to Sunderland. Don’t forget to download and print our train timetables to take with you so you can stay on top of all the latest arrivals and departures.
What to do in Sunderland and the north-east
Covering Teesside, Wearside and Tyneside, north-east England has a lot to offer. From the striking Angel of the North in Gateshead to the National Museum of the Royal Navy in Hartlepool, there is plenty to discover on your next visit.
Newcastle-upon-Tyne is the largest city in the area, known for its lively nightlife, eye-catching bridges and beloved football team! You could also plan a day out in Sunderland – a popular city for shopping, beachside fun and theatre trips.
If it’s rural adventure you are looking for, then head to the Durham Dales for fantastic bike trails around the moors, meandering rivers to walk alongside and chocolate-box villages, where you can find some great local pubs and picnic areas.
Why not take the first step of your trip by booking your train ticket to Sunderland today? And, for further information on the area and its offerings, be sure to visit seeitdoitsunderland.co.uk and visitnortheastengland.com.
Grand Central serve the following stations in this region:
Ideas for days out in Sunderland the North East
Herrington Country Park
- Home to an array of outdoor events, walks, cycle trails and environmental sculptures
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One of the largest and most beautiful parks in the city, Herrington Country Park is well worth a trip while visiting Sunderland. Featuring an adventure play area, skate boarding tracks and a lake for model boat sailing, there are plenty of activities to keep all the family happy.
There are many events taking place regularly in the park, so keep an eye out for what’s on in the coming months. The park has previously hosted the National Cross-Country Championships, Radio 1’s Big Weekend, Race for Life and The BIG Bike Ride.
Visit here for more information
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Roker and Seaburn beaches
- A wonderful seaside playground for adults and children alike.
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With their golden sands, clean waters and wide-open promenades, Roker and Seaburn beaches have both recently secured international Blue Flag status. This means that when visiting, you can expect clean, safe spaces for you and your family to enjoy.
These award-winning beaches and their nearby parks also play host to a number of Sunderland's annual outdoor events, including the International Air Show and the Sunderland Illuminations.
Visit the website for more information
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Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art
- Showcasing the current work of local, national and international artists.
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Located on the top floor of the City Library and Arts Centre in Sunderland, the Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art has received great critical acclaim for its changing exhibitions programme, featuring the current work of local, national and international artists.
Families and young people should check out The Drawing Room, a bright and welcoming space with free art materials for anyone who would like to get creative.
Visit the website for more information
The City Library and Arts Centre is located on Fawcett Street in Sunderland. Get directions with Google Maps
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Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens
- Discover Sunderland from its pre-historic past to the present day.
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Brilliant for the whole family, many happy hours can be spent in this award-winning attraction.
Brilliant for the whole family, many happy hours can be spent in this award-winning attraction. Explore exciting displays and a wide variety of collections with hands-on exhibits, computer interactives and video presentations. The museum also holds a programme of temporary exhibitions which are accompanied by activities and events for all ages.
The stunning Winter Gardens showcase more than 2,000 varieties of the world's most spectacular flowers and plants and an indoor pond home to Japanese Koi fish.
Visit the website for more information
Booking
Location
Burdon Road
Sunderland
SR1 1PP
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The National Glass Centre
- A unique venue dedicated to exploring ideas through glass.
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The National Glass Centre is a cultural venue and centre for learning. It is dedicated to exploring ideas through glass and providing opportunities for people to be inspired and get creative. It also houses the fantastic Glass Yard cafe & restaurant.
NGC is located in an innovative contemporary glass and steel building on the north bank of the River Wear in Sunderland. It houses the UK's largest art glass making facility and is home to the University of Sunderland's Glass and Ceramics department.
Admittance is free and includes all exhibitions and entry to the Hot Glass Studio to view daily live glass blowing with commentary.
Visit the website for more information
Booking
Location
National Glass Centre,
Liberty Way,
Sunderland,
SR6 0GL.
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High Force Waterfall
- In the heart of the Durham Dales
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Located in Forest in Teesdale, in the heart of the Durham Dales, take a peaceful woodland walk that eventually leads to England's highest uninterrupted drop of water – a powerful 70-foot drop known as High Force.
Breath-taking and awe-inspiring, this is the perfect place to wow your family and there is also an abundance of fascinating wildlife that live around this area of natural beauty.
Gift shop, picnic area and parking are available.Visit the website for more information
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Arts Centre, Washington
- The Arts Centre is a vibrant and exciting focus for arts activities
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The Arts Centre Washington is a vibrant and exciting focus for arts activities offering a theatre, gallery, artists' studios, recording studio, licensed bar, rehearsal rooms and function rooms.
The year round programme of arts activities includes exhibitions, theatre, dance, music, festivals, classes and workshops for all ages.
The area has its roots in mining with the last pit closing in the area in the 1980s. One of the most famous North East legends, The Lambton Worm, supposedly took place a stones throw from the arts centre.
Booking
www.artscentrewashington.co.uk
Location
Biddick Lane,
Fatfield,
Washington,
Tyne and Wear,
NE38 8AB.
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Silksworth Sports Complex
- For an activity packed day out, don't miss Silksworth Sports Complex and the dry ski slope, athletics track, sports pitches, play area, snowboarding and Sk8 City skate park.
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Silksworth has three ski slopes, the largest of which offers year round recreational skiing and snowboarding as well as tuition courses for all ages, groups and abilities.
The centre has two nursery slopes available for skiing and snowboarding tuition. All teaching and coaching is carried out by City of Sunderland Qualified Instructors. Tuition is also available right throughout the summer.
Look out for discounted programmes that run during the school holidays. You can hire the slope for a birthday party.
Facilities:
- Floodlit dry ski slope (165m)
- Floodlit outdoor athletics track (400m running track)
- Two full size astro-turf sports pitches
- Outdoor play area
- Angling lake Skiing & snowboarding
- Sk8 City skate park
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Booking
Location
Silksworth Lane
Sunderland
SR3 1PD
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Sunderland Climbing Wall
- Aim high at the Sunderland Climbing Wall.
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The Sunderland climbing wall has an area of 900 metres squared, with future plans taking it up to over 2,500 metres square.
The competition wall overhangs by a massive 8 metres, with two adjacent 6 metre overhangs testing the stamina of the most proficient of climbers. There are over 140 routes on the main walls, 90 of which are top-rope routes spread over 32 lines.
The Sunderland Climbing wall offers a range of different sessions from a taster session to advanced climbers.
Booking
Location
Doxford Works,
Pallion Quay,
Sunderland,
SR4 6TQ
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Monkwearmouth Station Museum
- Monkwearmouth Station Museum opened in 1973 and exhibits railway and local history in a preserved Victorian Station. Explore history through seven interactive galleries.
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The Museum houses seven interactive galleries, including a specially designed Children's Gallery which has received national and local commendations for. There are also a large range of school holiday activities.
The station was designed by Thomas Moore of Sunderland and opened in 1848 as the Sunderland terminus for trains from Gateshead and Newcastle. It closed in 1967 and was bought by the Corporation for conversion into a museum.
Location
North Bridge Street,
Sunderland
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The Hartlepool Maritime Experience, Hartlepool
- The Hartlepool Maritime Experience is a superb re-creation of an 18th century seaport and a fantastic place to visit.
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It brings to life the time of Nelson, Napoleon and the Battle of Trafalgar. Travel back in the mari- time machine to experience how it was aboard a real British naval frigate two centuries ago.
Talk to the guides in authentic period dress, marvel at Britain's oldest warship afloat, HMS Trincomalee and explore the fascinating Hartlepool Maritime Experience.
Booking
Location
Hartlepool's Maritime Experience,
Jackson Dock,
Maritime Avenue,
Hartlepool,
TS24 0XZ.
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