#sunderland

Low tide on a meandering stretch of the River Wear, just a short distance downstream from Queen Alexandra Bridge in Sunderland, NE England.
The low tide exposing banks of silt on either side got me thinking – has there always been this amount of silt exposed at low tide?
They used to build some big ships in the yards either of the river just past that bend, so I'm assuming the river must had been dredged back in the day.
My other thought is, if the silt is slowing building up, does it affect the overall dynamics of the river in terms of height at high tide and river flow?
The Earl of Durham, on behalf of Queen Alexandra, officially opened the bridge on 10 June 1909.
Prior to the bridge, road traffic crossing the river had to use one of two ferries, one of which operated from the spot where I took this photograph.
#england #sunderland #riverside #pallion #bridge #landscape #september #summer #photography

Took this photograph a few days ago from Wylam Wharf on the south bank of the River Wear in Sunderland, NE England.
When I came to add a caption, I discovered that, after all these years, whenever I had been referring to the dwellings pictured here on the north bank of the river near Wearmouth Bridge, I have been describing them as the 'Bonnersfield Apartments'.
Turns out, I that's wrong and they are in fact 'Bonners Raff'.
So, what is a 'raff' I wondered.
My go-to search engine came back explaining that a 'raff' is a term meaning rubbish, refuse, or a disreputable rabble of people (as in 'riffraff'!).
However, the good news for those who live at Bonners Raff and who might not want to be thought of in such derogatory terms, the reference to 'raff' in this case is historical one.
'Bonners Raff' is actually a reference to one John Bonner (1741–1811), who operated a timber 'raff' (yard) in the area, known as 'Bonnersfield'.
#england #sunderland #riverside #landscape #photography

Well, the results from the 'weather jury' are in and no surprise to learn that Summer 2026 was the UK's hottest on record (according to provisional data from the Met Office).
2026 is definitely going to become the new most memorable summer, replacing the record-breaking summer of 1976 as the go-to reference.
The UK has 'enjoyed' a spring and summer of persistent heat with five widespread heatwaves and 40 days of temperatures above 30C° (86F°), smashing the previous record of 34 days.
I was looking for a photograph I have taken locally this summer that goes some way to illustrate what we have just experienced and I thought this image, taken on 12 July down on Seaburn's promenade in Sunderland, NE England, just about sums the season up.
Four people chilling out on a bench, soaking up the sunshine and warmth under cloudless blue skies – what a summer it has proved to be!
#england #sunderland #coast #seaside #summer #metoffice #heatwave #photography

As we head into the final weekend of August with many families preparing for youngsters heading 'back-to-school', I think this year's summer break will live long in the memory.
In short, it's been a belter!
Captured this view of Cliffe Park, on Sunderland's coast in NE England at the beginning of the week, looking north towards Whitburn Bay and Souter Point beyond.
For anyone not local, the lighthouse in this picture was built in 1856 by Thomas Meik, the River Wear Commissioners' Engineer, and originally was located on the Old South Pier at the mouth of the River Wear.
It became redundant in later years and was relocated to its present position as a reminder of the city's maritime heritage, not to mention becoming an iconic seafront landmark.

#england #sunderland #seaside #seaburn #coast #lighthouse #landscape #august #summer #photography

A gaze across the River Wear in NE England from Wylam Wharf to St Peter's Gate, part of the Sunderland University site on the Monkwearmouth side of the river that includes St Peter's Campus.
St Peter’s Gate is an office space hub for a wide range of start-up businesses, described as being "... situated near St Peter’s Church and surrounded by inspiring views".
In the background, the church with the tall spire is the former Presbyterian church completed in 1892 on the site of an earlier 'Scotch Chapel', built in 1827 by John Dobson.
In fact, the church standing today is often referred to as the 'Scotch Church!'
The final stage of the C2C cycle route down to the seafront at Roker hugs the riverbank, running left to right (I say 'final stage' as the preferred route tends to follow the prevailing wind from west to east).
Notice the parched grassy banks highlighting the absence of any meaningful rain this summer!
#england #sunderland #river #landscape #c2c #august #summer #photography

Roker's Cat & Dog Steps Beach on Sunderland's seafront looking just stunning in the bright warm sunshine of late August.
Must admit, that on a day like this (Monday morning), this is probably one of my favourite views along our lovely stretch of coast.
On an in-coming tide, love seeing the sunlight sparkling on the sea, reflecting the clear blue skies and contrasting against the golden sandy beach below.
#england #roker #beach #seaside #coast #sunderland #august #summer #summervibes #landscape #photography

Some really low tides just recently, in fact they were both the lowest (and highest) of the year.
Always interesting to explore parts of the coast that for the rest of the year are hidden under water.
A huge wide sweep of the Cat & Dogs Steps beach at Roker on the coast of NE England is also great for catching reflections of the sky.
Worth paying a visit for a low-tide 'plodge' and although you might have missed the very lowest, the next low 'spring tide' occurs on Thursday August 27 at 10.09am.
#england #sunderland #roker #coast #lowtide #beach #seaside #august #summer #landscape #monochrome #photography

In the recent summer sunshine, Webster's Ropery, on the banks of the River Wear at Pallion, NE England.
It opened in 1793 and once went by the name 'Grimshaw Webster and Company' a patented rope works.
It was the first ropery on Wearside to be driven by steam and it was also the world’s first factory producing machine-made rope, thanks to Richard Fothergill, a Sunderland schoolmaster, who had patented a machine to spin hemp.
I heard it mentioned on a number of occasions that is was here where the ropes for Nelson's flagship, HMS Victory, were made.
Until relatively recently, the larger part of the building was occupied as office space, although is currently standing empty.
The other half of the building has seen a number of ventures come and go but following a major refurbishment is now a bespoke wedding and events venue, described as the perfect place to 'tie the knot!'
#sunderland #webstersropery #historic #wearside #august #summer #landscape #photography

Thought I would make good use of the recent gorgeous weather to capture a view of one the city cultural jewels, the National Glass Centre, still looking good despite its recent closure, on the banks of the River Wear in Sunderland, NE England.
This attractive vista could soon be blighted though if plans submitted by the building's owners, Sunderland University, are approved.
A planning application has been submitted proposing an 8ft high wooden hoarding to completely surround the building for up to three years, which they argue is to help secure the building from vandalism.

#sunderland #glass #culture #architecture #savethenationalglasscentre #landscape #photography

I seem to have taken quite a few photographs this last week in the summer heat that includes the River Wear, which flows through the heart of Sunderland.
This view, looking upstream at high tide, features the three city centre crossings of Wearmouth Bridge, Monkwearmouth Rail Bridge and the newest, Keel Crossing, the pedestrian and cycle bridge than links the city centre to the Sheepfolds area on the north side of the river.
The Keel Crossing have become Sunderland's 'Wembley Way', providing an impressive approach on match days to the Stadium of Light.
#sunderland #wearside #riverside #bridge #monkwearmouth #landscape #photography

Took a photograph near this spot on the north bank of the River Wear in Sunderland a couple of months or so back, but I was here again this week and I thought it was worthy of another shot, bathed as it was in the gorgeous warm light of a summer's evening.
This skyline is set to change soon as residents of the Lambton, Londonderry and Lumley Towers in the background are relocated to alternative accommodation before they are demolished.
All three blocks of flats are set be brought down with repair costs of more than £15m needed for each block being cited as the reason.
#sunderland #wearside #riverside #august #summer #landscape #photography

The boats and buildings of Roker's North Dock Marina pictured against blue skies and drenched in August sunshine.
Often referred to as the 'Roker Riviera', on a day like this, it lives up to that nickname.
Always remember photographing Sir Charles Blyth CBE BEM (known as 'Chay' Blyth), the Scottish yachtsman and rower who was the first person to sail single-handed non-stop westwards around the world, on a 59-foot boat called British Steel.
Chay was called upon to officially open the Marine Activities Centre which is based down at the marina.
#sunderland #roker #marineactivitiescentre #wearside #august #summer #landscape #photography

One here for the 'ship-spotters' – this is the heavy-lift vessel MV UHL Future, pictured berthed at Corporation Quay on the River Wear in the Port of Sunderland.
The vessel, which recently arrived from Emden in Germany, was built in 2019 and sails under the flag of Portugal.
For those who like to know such things, this big boat has an overall length of 150 metres, a width of 26 metres and a deadweight capacity is 17,165 tonnes.
It was quite mesmerising looking across the river and seeing the dockside crane transferring the ships cargo, although I'm not sure what the vessel was carrying.
#portofsunderland #sunderland #shipping #photography

The view downstream on the River Wear from South Hylton in Sunderland this afternoon at high tide.
The object that appears to be at the base of the bridge's central pylon is the wreck of the 'Cretehawser', the only surviving hulk of a First World War era concrete tug in the UK, launched on 15 March 1919.
The wreck actually lies some distance upstream from the bridge and is not as close as it appears in the view.
Out and about on yet another warm and sunny day during the record-breaking summer of 2026.

#sunderland #wearside #bridge #landscape #cretehawser #august #summer #photography

A walk along the River Wear footpath in Sunderland in the warm afternoon sunshine. This section on the north side of the river forms part of the last stage of the C2C cycle route (assuming you're cycling from west to east) and features a number of installations that make up the Wear Sculpture Trail.
With a forecast of more of the same to come, this summer is certainly going to end up in the record books.
#sunderland #riverside #landscape #august #summer #c2c #photography