What a super place, glass blowing experience was very interesting and informative, we purchased the piece we had watched going from a hot blob of glass to an extremely attractive vase- entailed returning the following day but worth it. The young lady in the exhibition was very knowledgeable about the display of artworks. And to round off the visit we ate lunch in the restaurant, excellent food, friendly staff and superb view of the river. Will definitely return
The National Glass Centre is another hidden gem in Sunderland, a city much maligned by locals and outsiders alike.
The NGC is a world renowned centre of excellence for hot glass works and ceramics. Regular displays of the glass blowing and shaping skills both entertain and educate. Amazing examples of the glassworkers craft are for sale and the shop stocks examples from outside the region.
Well worth a visit and don't miss St. Peter's Anglo Saxon church nearby which was the reason for bringing these glassworking skills to Sunderland, over 1,350 years ago.
Amazing Lovely warm friendly place. so enjoy it to day .. been waiting to go here for few Months well worth it glass blowing just blew me away fab place to go and vist x 😊
We visited late on a Sunday afternoon. Lots of classes were going on so we had lots to watch. The shop was lovely. Sat and had a cup of coffee and watched a ship loading on the riverside. It was a mild evening so we took a stroll on the glass roof for a view.
Dorothy Stockdale Webb
+5
Great insight as to how the glass was made and worked, watching the staff and students is amazing great place to visit well worth it and it's free but please at least leave a donation as they don't pressure you at all restaurant is very nice too 👍🏼
Fabulous place to visit, lots to see and the staff are so knowledgable and friendly - our favourite is Dave who does the glass blowing demos, but everyone from the cafe staff to the receptionist are helpful 😊
Visited on Sunday with my family. Had a lovely time and we all loved the glass blowing demonstration. Popped into the restaurant for a coffee, so I could get my daughter a snack and feed my baby. The staff where lovely. Whilst I was feeding my baby, a lovely girl brought over a pint of water for me, saying it's hard work and she knows how thirsty you get. It was a lovely gesture that I've never experienced before. I'm confident when feeding in public but this made me feel very at ease. It was such a lovely touch. Thank you.
Our 2nd visit to the centre. Our first was some time ago and thoroughly enjoyed looking round and watching the demonstration. Bought a lovely coloured glass vase/ornament at a very low price. Our 2nd visit was yesterday to make Christmas baubles. What a great experience made special by the experts (sorry can't remember their names). Can't wait to get the baubles when they have cooled down.
We enjoyed making pumpkins on Sunday. It really is one of the best jobs in the world!
Can't wait to pick them up and would certainly come back in the future to make something else :D
Fantastic place, well worth a visit. Glass blowing demonstration absolutely fantastic.
Went to the air show and ended up in here, the glass blowing demonstration was awesome, would definitely recommend a visit x
Heather Kathleen Long Turner
+5
Paul and i Had a Fantastic Visit here Yesterday we thoroughly enjoyed the Glass Blowing Demonstration would highly recommend it & would love to go back again The Staff were Courteous and Very Helpful.Thankyou
Ronnie had a fantastic morning making a Sandcast fish. Thanks to all the staff for making it a fun experience. X
We all loved it, adults & kids. The kids took a class & really enjoyed it. We also like the glass blowing demonstration. Some lovely things in the gift shop too!
First time of visiting. Was quite impressed. Lovely cup of tea in the cafe. My great Aunt worked for years at Pyrex so was quite interesting to find out the history. Amazing views across the river/port.
Leaving aside the brutal architecture of the entrance the rest of the building has much to offer. Lovely, well maintained building with great displays of glass. Very informative and impressive. The cafe offers a clean friendly service with great views of the R. Wear. Free admission and absolutely well worth a visit.
Beautiful place to walk through and explore. I had an iced latte at the cafe and walked along the river. There is plenty of seating in the cafe and outside. The displays are breathtaking, as is the glass blowing demonstration. The center is free. The front desk helped me get a taxi when it started raining, the lady was lovely.
Beautiful building and glass art pieces! A must see if you r visiting Sunderland. Nice cafe too. I really enjoyed the glass blowing demo ! The man narrating was funny and engaging, make sure to check the schedule before u visit to see what’s on.
Had a lovely time today with my toddler, he loved the little activities that were set up.
Great place to visit, great displays and demonstrations all free
Parking very reasonable .60p/hr? As well as a lovely cafe with lovely cake, coffee and light lunches
Free entry, art exhibitions, glass blowing and sculpture. Restaurant for contemplating the magnificent views of a working river. Sculpture trail along the riverbank. Fabulous place!
Visited this amazing place with my 3 adult daughters as part of my BD weekend treat. If you like glass in any form you'll love this place. We watched a great glass blowing demo where the resident glass sculptor formed a beautiful 'RUBY RUBY RUBY' bowl from a blob of white hot glass "fabulous".
The gift shop has a great selection for all tastes and pockets....the marbles section will take you right back the playground. And I have a beautiful blue vase to remind me of a great morning with my girls. Deffo worth a visit 🏺🥂🧿🪩
Absolutely brilliant. Donation entry suggestion of £3 but wow is there alot to see and read over the two floors. Fab cafe, helpful staff, live demonstrations and a brilliant gift shop. My husband had to drag me out of there lol Will definitely be back. If you love art and Glass then this is the place for you to visit....
Amazing demonstrations. The display of intricate glass work is something to behold. Nice quite setting on the harbour
Amazing modern space and great river view location. Expected to see more of an array of exciting glass products - stained glass would be nice to see and some colourful large scale impressive pieces. Cafe was nicely situated, although food and staff seemed to let it down. Good stop off for a couple of hours, for a drink and a browse around the gift shop. Car Parking was ample but fee information needs to be clearly shown at pay station.
Some remarkable pieces of artwork on display . Very attractive environment and helpful and knowledgeable staff members. Even though I missed the glass blowing (making)demo, could see one made through the glass doors so wasn't a disappointing visit. A generously spacious cafe, seen getting cleaned every few minutes. Some great outdoor space by the rever for coffees and snacks .
Was a Nice Hidden Glass Centre , showing how to Blow Glass, was Brilliant 👏
Went with no expectations, but truly loved the place; the staff were brilliant, the exhibits were beautiful, some I didn't get, but could appreciate the work and skills the designer had in generating the art work. Watching the glass blowers / artists was wonderful.
Would definitely visit again
Stunning display and fantastic glass blowing display, loved the visit thanks to a lovely lady that I met on the beach at Seaham recommending it, we will definately visit again, the display that is there right now is a must see
I brought a friend from the southeast to see the NGC. We both really enjoyed the current special exhibition ("Harvest: Fruit Gathering" by Neil Wilkin & Rachael Woodman). My friend thought it was all excellent. I have loved the Glass Centre since first visiting it 20 years ago. The building is an inspiring space, and looks out onto the riverfront. The café is good, with seating available outside as well as in, and offers a light menu, friendly service and isn't too expensive. The coffee is good! There is a well stocked shop offering quality items from many different makers, but you can buy pieces of glass created by the students too.
I read that the building has some structural problems and its future is currently in doubt. I hope a solution is found - this place is such an asset to the area.
I spent less than an hour in National Glass Centre. The venue is small but still I saw some stunning art pieces made of glass. Unfortunately, I missed the free glass blowing demonstration, but I didn’t even know they offered one until I got there. It would have been even better if I have timed my visit to see the demo in action.
Some amazing pieces, lovely shop. Enjoyed the glass blowing. Lovely cuppa and cake watching the river. Wanted to visit before it moves if rumours are true. Its a brilliant venue where it is.
Great activity for the family. Kids activity packs available, as well as things for kids with sensory needs. Glass blowing demonstration free and excellent. Shop very good.
Cafe food nice but overpriced, with counter staff a bit blunt.
Lady upstairs at the entrance was nice and welcoming.
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