Latest Visitor Information:

Our booking phone line is currently out of service. If you’d like to contact National Glass Centre by telephone, please call 0191 515 5501.

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Two cylindrical cement posts. Across the centre of those posts is a long, grey, metal sign reading National Glass Centre in white text. Underneath is a slope leading down to a building entrance
Two cylindrical cement posts. Across the centre of those posts is a long, grey, metal sign reading National Glass Centre in white text. Underneath is a slope leading down to a building entrance

Plan Your Visit to National Glass Centre

It is free to visit National Glass Centre.

There is a programme of events for adults and families which offers free and paid for activities to anyone who wants to try get creative.

 

What’s On

 

Address

National Glass Centre

Liberty Way

Sunderland

SR6 0GL

 

What3Words

Main Entrance: wakes.relay.dawn

 

Opening Times

National Glass Centre is open daily 10am – 5pm

 

Contact Us

0191 515 5555

info@nationalglasscentre.com

 

Getting here

By bus, Metro or Train

From Sunderland City Centre, you can use the E1 that takes you to Roker Avenue, around 500m from National Glass Centre.

The 700 and 701 Sunderland Connect buses also stop close to the venue on St. Peter’s Way and Liberty Way (both are around 100m from the venue)

Our closest train station is Sunderland, featuring regional train routes from Middlesbrough and Hexham.

Our closest Nexus Metro station is Stadium of Light. This stop is around 1.2km from the National Glass Centre.

By car

A1:

Take the exit onto A1231 towards Washington/Sunderland and continue onto Wessington Way

Follow the brown signs to National Glass Centre, Liberty Way.

 

A19:

Take the A1231 slip road (to Sunderland/Sunderland North)

Follow A1231 onto Wessington Way and then follow the brown signs to National Glass Centre Liberty Way.

Get directions from Google Maps

Parking

National Glass Centre has a car park directly outside of the entrance and there is an overflow car park to the right of the venue which is open during busier times.

Blue Badge holders can park for free providing they display a valid permit.

 

Visitors are required to pay for parking in both car parks. Parking costs are as follows:

Under 20 minutes: Free

Per hour: £0.60

Per day: £3.00

 

How to pay:

  • Just Park app (available for Android and Apple mobile devices)
  • Just Park website
  • Call 01234 862 178
  • Cashless parking terminal – located in the main car park, visitors can pay here by card
By bike

National Glass Centre is part of the Coast-to-Coast cycle route from Cumbria to Sunderland.

We have bike racks at the top of our car park and on the other side of the venue along the riverside.

There is also a cycle hub to the side of the Centre on the riverside.

To plan your route to National Glass Centre by bike, you can use either Google Maps or resources on Go Smarter Go Active.

Food & Drink

Open for breakfast and lunch, The Glass Yard is the perfect place to get together with family, friends and loved ones.

The Glass Yard is currently located on the ground floor of National Glass Centre.

 

Café Opening Times

Open daily from 10am – 4.30pm

Breakfast is served from 10am – 11:45am

Lunch is served from 12pm – 3:45pm

 

Menus

Main menu

Kid’s packed lunch menu

White plate cake stands holding cheese and fruit scones.

FAQs

Can I take photos and videos of the exhibitions and demonstrations?

Photography is allowed for personal use only. All photography for commercial use is prohibited unless agreed upon in advance with the Marketing Team.

Contact our Marketing Team: info@nationalglasscentre.com

Do you have guided tours?

Our Gallery Learning Facilitators are happy to give you a free exhibition tour at any time. Simply ask a member of staff at reception or in the gallery.

Do you have internet access?

Yes. National Glass Centre has free public wireless internet access (WiFi) in most areas including The Glass Yard and the Reading Room. The signal may be weaker in some areas than others.

How can I pay at National Glass Centre and The Glass Yard?

We are a cashless venue. We accept all forms of card payment – this includes paying for activities as well as shop and cafe purchases.