Discover Sunderland: 10 Surprising Facts About the City That Will Change How You See It ForeverWelcome to Sunderland, the vibrant city on the northeast coast of England that’s brimming with history, innovation, and surprises around every corner. Whether you know it as the home of Mackems, the shipbuilding capital, or the birthplace of groundbreaking inventions, Sunderland has a treasure trove of secrets waiting to be uncovered. Buckle up, because we’re about to dive into **10 fascinating facts about Sunderland you probably didn’t know**. Did you know, for example, that Sunderland was once the largest shipbuilding town in the world? Or that it played a unique role in the creation of stained glass windows? How about its jaw-dropping connection to Lewis Carroll’s *Alice in Wonderland*? Get ready for superlatives, quirky inventions, and historical nuggets that will make you see this city in a whole new light. Let’s dive in! © R J McNaughton, CC BY-SA 2.0 © R J McNaughton, CC BY-SA 2.0 1. Sunderland: The Shipbuilding Capital of the World What if we told you Sunderland once produced a quarter of all the world’s ships? That’s right—this city was the undisputed king of shipbuilding for over six centuries. By the 18th century, Sunderland had become Britain's fourth-largest port, exporting coal and dominating ship construction. Fast forward to the early 20th century, and the River Wear was lined with shipyards that built everything from wooden trading vessels to massive steel ships. Over 400 shipyards were registered here, making Sunderland the largest shipbuilding town globally. Though the industry has since faded, the city’s maritime legacy is immortal. 2. The World’s First Stained Glass Window Think stained glass windows are purely a medieval European art form? Think again. The very first stained glass window in England was crafted in Sunderland at St. Peter’s Church in 674 AD. This historic church, part of the Monkwearmouth-Jarrow Abbey, was a major center of learning in Anglo-Saxon England. The creation of the stained glass window here laid the foundation for a craft that would spread across the country and beyond. Pretty cool, right? © Malc McDonald, CC BY-SA 2.0 © Malc McDonald, CC BY-SA 2.0 3. The Tongue of Big Ben Was Forged Here Here’s a fact that will make you look twice at iconic landmarks: the bell of Big Ben, or more specifically its “tongue” (the clapper that strikes the bell), was forged in Sunderland. Built by Hoppers Foundry in Houghton-le-Spring, just outside the city, this small but mighty piece of engineering became part of one of the most famous clocks in the world. Next time you hear Big Ben chime, you’ll know Sunderland had a hand in making it happen! 4. Sunderland Inspired *Alice in Wonderland* Yes, you read that right. Sunderland played a key role in inspiring Lewis Carroll’s whimsical masterpiece, *Alice in Wonderland*. Carroll, whose real name was Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, spent much of his childhood in Sunderland visiting his sisters in Southwick. Local lore suggests that Whitburn’s coastline inspired the surreal imagery in “The Walrus and the Carpenter,” while the Jabberwocky’s famous opening lines were reportedly written during a family word game in the area. Wonderland, meet Wearside! © Uploaded by User:Superbfc, CC BY 2.5 © Uploaded by User:Superbfc, CC BY 2.5 5. The Sunderland Cottage: A Housing Revolution Nowhere else in the UK will you find rows of single-story terraces quite like the Sunderland cottages. Designed in the late 19th century to house shipyard workers, these cozy homes were revolutionary for their time. Thanks to relatively high wages and affordable construction, nearly 27% of households in Sunderland owned their homes—far above the national average. Today, these distinctive cottages are a cherished part of the city’s architectural heritage. 6. A Home to Explosive Ideas Sunderland isn’t just about ships and windows—it’s also the birthplace of the modern hand grenade. Sir William Mills, born in Southwick, invented the Mills bomb during World War I. This groundbreaking design became the standard grenade for British forces and was used in conflicts around the globe. Talk about an explosive legacy! © The National Churches Trust, CC BY 2.0 © The National Churches Trust, CC BY 2.0 7. Penshaw Monument: A Mini Greek Temple One of Sunderland’s most iconic landmarks, Penshaw Monument, has a secret: it’s a scaled-down replica of the Temple of Hephaestus in Athens. Perched on a hill overlooking the city, this stunning structure was built in 1844 in memory of John Lambton, the first Earl of Durham. While it may not be as ancient as its Greek counterpart, the views from the top are absolutely timeless. Fun fact: you can climb to the very top during special tours—don’t miss out! 8. The First Police Box in England *Doctor Who* fans, this one’s for you! The very first police box in England—yes, the inspiration for the TARDIS—was installed in Sunderland in 1923. Chief Constable Frederick Crawley brought the idea over from America, and it became a game-changer for policing. While the original box is long gone, its legacy lives on in the form of one of TV’s most beloved icons. Who knew Sunderland was so ahead of the curve? © R J McNaughton, CC BY-SA 2.0 © R J McNaughton, CC BY-SA 2.0 9. The Sunderland Flying Boat Did you know there’s a plane named after Sunderland? The Sunderland flying boat was a seaplane capable of taking off and landing on water. It was a vital tool during World War II, used for reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare. Manufactured by Short Brothers, this aircraft was a true engineering marvel of its time. Sunderland—a city that soars! 10. The Hetton Railway: A World-First for Steam Last but not least, Sunderland is home to a piece of railway history. The Hetton Railway, opened in 1822, was the first in the UK to be operated entirely by steam power—no horses required. Designed by George Stephenson, this groundbreaking railway revolutionized transportation and set the stage for the global dominance of rail travel. All aboard the Sunderland innovation train! So there you have it—10 incredible facts about Sunderland that prove this city is anything but ordinary. From shipbuilding superlatives to literary legends, this dynamic destination has a story for everyone. Next time you’re in the area, take a moment to appreciate the history and ingenuity that make Sunderland truly one of a kind. Trust us, you’ll never look at this city the same way again! © Chabe01, CC BY-SA 4.0 © Chabe01, CC BY-SA 4.0 Scavenger hunts in SunderlandDiscover Sunderland with the digital Scavenger Hunt from myCityQuest! Solve puzzles, master team tasks and explore Sunderland with your team! Tours