Why is Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens closing?
Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens is closing its doors to the public to undertake a major redevelopment and improvement scheme. This will allow for essential repair work to the building and its infrastructure, as well as undergoing a refurbishment of gallery spaces, creation of a new learning education space – The Growing Space, as well as improvements to the Museum collection, interpretation and wayfinding. The closure will help ensure the long-term sustainability of the building and secure its future as a key cultural and community asset for the city.
When will the closure take place?
The Museum and Winter Gardens will close on Saturday 29 August 2026.
Further updates, including key dates and information about future plans, will be shared on the Museum Redevelopment page
Is the Museum closing permanently?
No. The closure is to enable redevelopment and future improvements.
The ambition is to improve the visitor experience, securing a more sustainable future for Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens while protecting its collections, heritage and value to the community ensuring all of this can be enjoyed by future generations.
Why can’t the Museum and Winter Gardens remain partially open?
The closure is necessary to ensure public safety and to allow essential construction works to be carried out efficiently.
Unfortunately, maintaining public access to the museum during this period is not considered practical or safe.
What will happen to the museum collections?
Protecting Sunderland’s heritage Collection remains a priority. The Museum collections will continue to be professionally cared for throughout the closure period. This includes temperature/environmental monitoring, collections management and conservation as well as ensuring safe and secure storage.
Will the collections be moved?
Some objects may need to be relocated to secure storage or alternative locations as part of preparations for the closure and redevelopment.
Any movement of collections will be undertaken by trained museum professionals following recognised Museum standards and best practice.
Will I still be able to access the collections?
Public access to the Museum galleries will not be possible during the closure. However, we plan to bring some of the collection out into the community as part of activating a city-wide museum activity plan with programmes taking place across venues such as Culture House Sunderland and in our Smart City hubs, Houghton and Washington.
What will happen to the dinosaurs?
The dinosaur displays will be stored away safely. Other popular exhibits that form part of Sunderland Museum’s collection will continue to be cared for by specialist museum staff during the closure period.
Appropriate measures will be taken to ensure these collections remain protected and preserved.
What will happen to Wallace the Lion?
Wallace remains an important part of Sunderland’s heritage and Museum collection.
He will continue to be cared for and protected alongside the rest of the museum collections throughout the closure period.
Will the dinosaurs, and other favourite exhibits return after redevelopment?
The Museum’s collections are at the heart of Sunderland’s story and heritage. While future gallery plans are still being developed, the intention is for the collections to continue playing a central role in the Museum’s future. Whilst the dinosaurs may not form part of the new displays, opportunities to incorporate dinosaur related themes as part of activities within the newly launched Museum will all be considered.
What will happen to the staff working at the museum?
Some staff will remain on site during the construction to support with the maintaining of the Collection and Winter Gardens. Some staff will be working alongside exhibition designers as plans for the new galleries are developed. A number of staff will also be relocated to work from other cultural venues across the city.
What will happen to the plants in the Winter Gardens?
The plant collection will continue to be cared for by specialist staff throughout the closure period. The health and wellbeing of the collection remain a priority, with daily monitoring, maintenance and horticultural care in place throughout the redevelopment period and beyond.
Will all the plants remain in the Winter Gardens?
Not all plants will remain in the Winter Gardens.
Some specimens have reached the end of their lifespan within the current planting scheme or have grown to a size where it is no longer practical to maintain and care for them within the space.
Where possible, these plants will be propagated, allowing new plants from the existing collection to be reintroduced as part of a future planting scheme.
This approach helps preserve the botanical heritage of the Winter Gardens while creating opportunities to refresh and enhance the collection.
Why are some plants being removed?
Over time, some plants have become very large and densely established. While this has created a lush tropical environment, it has also reduced light levels in parts of the Winter Gardens and obscured some of the striking architectural features of the glasshouse.
The redevelopment provides an opportunity to rejuvenate the planting scheme, improve visibility and light levels, and once again showcase the scale, beauty and majesty of the glass building alongside its plant collection.
Are any rare or significant plants being lost?
The horticultural team is carefully assessing the collection and identifying opportunities for propagation and preservation wherever possible. Our aim is to preserve the unique heritage of the existing collection while ensuring the Winter Gardens continues to thrive as a healthy, sustainable and inspiring place for generations to come.
Will the Winter Gardens look different when it reopens?
Yes. While the Winter Gardens will retain its distinctive tropical character, the planting scheme will evolve.
By propagating and reintroducing plants from the existing collection, we can create a refreshed environment that celebrates both the plants and the remarkable architecture of the glasshouse.
The aim is to achieve a better balance between the collection and the building itself, allowing visitors to fully appreciate the light, space and grandeur of the Winter Gardens.
Will the Winter Gardens continue to be maintained while closed?
Yes. Essential horticultural maintenance, monitoring and care will continue throughout the closure period to protect the plant collection and the Winter Gardens environment.
What will happen to the fish?
The fish will continue to be cared for throughout the closure period.
Appropriate arrangements are in place to ensure their ongoing welfare, including feeding, monitoring and maintenance of their habitat.
Will the fish be moved or rehomed?
The fish will be moved to another area of the Museum to ensure they are not distressed by repair works happening. There are currently no plans to re-home the fish. If any future relocation becomes necessary as part of redevelopment works, it will be carefully planned with animal welfare as the primary consideration.
What happens if a fish becomes unwell during the closure?
Qualified staff will continue to monitor the health and wellbeing of the fish throughout the closure period.
Established procedures are in place to ensure any issues are addressed appropriately and promptly by Sunderland City Council staff.
Can members of the public adopt plants or fish?
There are currently no plans to offer plants or fish for adoption or rehoming, due to both plants and fish carrying disease that can cause cross contamination. The plant collection and fish remain under the care and responsibility of Sunderland City Council and specialist staff.
What will happen to the Community Garden?
The community garden will remain open to the public but may be subject to closure as the construction works commences. Details of this will be published on social media and museum website. Like the Winter Gardens, the Community Garden will be maintained and cared for by specialist staff.
What will happen to the café?
The café will close alongside Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens. Sea Change CIC will continue their wonderful offerings at their premises in South Shields and through their WEAR site in Vine Place.
What will happen to school visits?
Although visits to the Museum and Winter Gardens venue will not be possible during the closure, workshops with the learning team and other community engagement staff will continue to be delivered out in schools and in community settings across Sunderland.
Will outreach and engagement activities continue?
We remain committed to engaging communities across Sunderland. Where possible, outreach, learning and engagement activities will continue through alternative venues, community locations and other delivery methods. Museum in a Box loans service will continue and remain available to schools across the North East.
Will groups still be able to access museum services?
There will be a range of opportunities for community groups, schools and partner organisations to work with the museum during the closure period.
What will happen to planned events and workshops?
All planned events and activities are currently being reviewed and where possible some activities may be relocated to alternative venues. If you are booked on to a session you will be contacted and updates will be provided on the Museum website.
Will there be opportunities for public involvement in future plans?
Yes. Museum Redevelopment Champions will work with us to develop opportunities for residents, visitors, stakeholders and community groups to engage with future plans and will be shared as the redevelopment progresses. Opportunities to co-create with groups and communities is an important part of the Museum’s activity plan.
How can I stay up to date?
Updates will be shared through Sunderland Museum & Winter Gardens website, social media channels and other official communication channels.
Who can I contact if I have further questions?
Email: museums@sunderland.gov.uk