Access Guide
Route Information
- This route goes from Palmer's Hill Road to Marine Walk and mostly follows the north bank of the River Wear.
- The route is part of the C2C (Sea to Sea) and the W2W (Walney to Wear) cycle routes.
- The majority of this route is on surfaced paths.
- The route is approximately 1.6 miles.
- This route is not a loop so you may need to retrace the route.
- There is a public car park at Marine Walk.
- This can be used as a pickup and drop off point.
- There is no public car park at Palmer's Hill Road.
- There are bus stops along Dame Dorothy Street, Harbour View and St Peter's Way which can be used to access the route.
- The nearest metro station is St Peters.
- There is on street parking in Liberty Way and in Sand Point Road which can be used to make the walk more manageable for people with limited mobility.
- There are no public toilets available along the route.
- For more information about the walk, and to download a map please click here.
Palmer's Hill Road to Shadows in Another Light
- This section of the walk is approximately 170m.
- The walk begins at the bottom of Palmer's Hill Road.
- The entrance to the trail is through a shaped entry point.
- The width at the bottom of the entry point is 97cm.
- The width at the top of the entry point is 36cm.
- There is an easy slope immediately beyond the entry point.
- The path has a short tarmac section.
- The path bears to the left and becomes concrete tiles.
- The path runs alongside the River Wear.
- The concrete tiled section of the route has a slight camber to the river side (left to right).
Sculpture 1 - Shadows in Another Light
- The sculpture is mounted on an octagonal concrete plinth.
- There are small concrete tiles creating a ridged area surrounding the sculpture.
- There are 2 roundals on each side of the plinth with scenes relating to the River Wear.
- The roundals are tactile.
- The height to the top of the roundals is 162cm.
- There is a seat on the far side of the sculpture.
- The height of the seat is 47cm.
- The seat gives a view back across the sculpture and to the Wearmouth Bridge.
Shadows in Another Light to Pathways of Knowledge
- This section of the walk is approximately 295m.
- The path is concrete tiles.
- The path has some very slight slopes along the route.
- The path continues along the River Wear.
- The first 80m has the markings on the pathway which may be confused as steps.
- There are sculptures along the route.
- The sculptures are oversize replicas of nuts, bolts and rivets.
- There are bench seats along the path.
- The bench seats at the end of this section are accessed by 1 medium height step which is not clearly marked.
Sculpture 2 - Pathways of Knowledge
- The sculpture is located on a grassed area.
- The sculpture is accessed by 1 medium height step which is not clearly marked.
- The path is block paved.
- There is a slight uphill gradient on the path.
- There are stone paving slabs across the path to reach the sculpture.
- The surface around the sculpture is loose gravel.
Pathways of Knowledge to The Red House
- This section of the route is approximately 390m.
- From the Pathways of Knowledge Sculpture return to the main pathway.
- The surface of the path is concrete tiles.
- The route continues along the River Wear.
- After approximately 150m the route bears left and there is an easy uphill gradient.
- The route continues along the rear of the National Glass Centre.
- After approximately 175m the route narrows and becomes tarmac.
- There is an uphill gradient without handrails.
- There are bollards at the top of the gradient.
- The width between the bollards is over 150cm.
- There are bench seats along this section of the route.
- There are picnic tables and benches at the rear of the National Glass Centre.
- The height of the tables is 79cm.
- The height of the bench seats is 51cm.
- The tables and benches are fixed.
Sculpture 3 - The Red House
- The sculpture is on a raised grassed area to the left of the main path.
- The sculpture is accessed by an steep uphill slope.
- The sculpture has 3 entrances / exits and can be walked through.
- There is level access at 2 of the entrances / exits.
- The width of the narrowest entrance / exit is 125cm.
- The width of the widest entrance / exit is 146cm.
- There are 6 medium height steps without handrails at the 3rd entrance / exit.
- The steps are not clearly marked.
- There is a steep downward gradient leading from the widest entrance / exit back to the main path.
The Red House to Watching and Waiting
- This section of the route is approximately 365m.
- The surface of the majority of this section is concrete.
- The route continues along the River Wear.
- There is an easy uphill gradient along the whole of this section of the route.
- After approximately 70m there is a viewing area to the right hand side of the path.
- The viewing area is accessed by steps.
- The number of steps varies due to the gradient of the pathway.
- There is level access at the far end of the viewing area.
- The steps are medium height.
- The maximum number of steps is 3.
- There are no handrails.
- There are bollards between the footpath and the viewing area.
- The minimum width between the bollards is 137cm.
- The path is uneven in some places.
- After approximately 210m, at the top of the gradient, bear right at the fork.
- The path becomes tarmac.
- After approximately 35m continue along the main path bearing left.
- After approximately 15m there is a path to the right which leads to the sculpture.
- There are bench seats along this section of the route.
Sculpture 4 - Watching and Waiting
- The sculpture is located on a raised area.
- The sculpture is accessed by an easy slope without handrails.
- The slope is 95cm wide.
Watching and Waiting to Flight
- This section of the route is approximately 280m.
- Return to the main path and proceed onto Sand Point Road.
- There are bollards before joining the footpath on Sand Point Road.
- The minimum width between the bollards is 80cm.
- Bear slightly to the left to the crossing point.
- There are dropped kerbs with tactile paving at the crossing point.
- Bear right and follow Sand Piper Road for approximately 135m.
- The surface of the footpath is tarmac.
- The footpath is uneven in places.
- There is an easy downhill gradient on the footpath.
- After approximately 135m cross Sand Piper Road onto Beacon Drive.
- There is not a designated crossing point.
- There is not a dropped kerb.
- The road is generally quiet.
- Continue along Beacon Drive for approximately 22m and cross Beacon Drive onto the passageway at the bend in the road.
- There is not a designated crossing point.
- There is not a dropped kerb.
- The road is generally quiet.
- Continue along the passageway to the sculpture at the end.
- There are bollards along the passageway.
- The minimum width between the bollards is 136cm.
- There is an easy downhill gradient along the passageway.
Sculpture 5 - Flight
- The sculpture is on a raised concrete base inside a circular wooden bench.
- There is 1 medium height step at the base of the bench.
- The step is not clearly marked.
- The bench does not have armrests.
- The bench gives a view overlooking the River Wear and Sunderland Marina.
Flight to Sea to Seats
- This section of the route is approximately 260m.
- The majority of the path is concrete tiles.
- The path follows the marina wall.
- There are railings along the edge of the marina wall.
- There is a slight camber towards the marina side of the path.
- There are cobbled sections to either side of the path.
- There are some uneven areas caused by drainage grates.
- After approximately 185m bear left and continue along the marina wall.
- There are bench seats and refuse bins along the route.
Sculpture 6 - Sea to Seats
- This sculpture is spread across approximately 20m.
- There are two sets of wooden seats made from reclaimed wood.
- The seats are made of 3 wooden beams.
- The seats are along the left hand side of the main route, on block paving.
- The seats overlook the marina.
Sculpture 7 - Passing Through
- The sculpture is approximately 13m from the Sea to Seats sculpture.
- There is a concrete and glass door which can be walked through.
- The width of the door is 114cm.
- There is a concrete and glass door which is set into the wall, and does not open.
- The surface around this sculpture is block paving.
Passing Through to Paddle Gate
- This section of the route is approximately 37m.
- The surface of the pathway is concrete tiles to the marina side of the path, and block paving to the wall side.
- This section of the route runs along the marina wall and overlooks the marina.
Sculpture 8 - Paddle Gate
- This sculpture is on the left hand side of the path.
- There is level access from the block paved area leading from Passing Through.
- There is a moderate slope leading from the main path.
- The surface leading to the sculpture is concrete tiles.
- The moderate slope is used to return from the sculpture to the path.
Paddle Gate to Windows and Walls
- This section of the route is approximately 83m.
- This section is level.
- The surface of the path is concrete tiles.
- This section passes behind the RNLI Lifeboat Station and along the marina wall.
- This section of the route overlooks the marina.
Sculpture 9 - Windows and Walls
- This sculpture is located along the wall for the next section of the route.
- This section is approximately 175m.
- The sculptures are carved brick panels inset into the wall.
- The panels are tactile.
- The height to the top of the panels is 157cm.
- There are seating areas along this section.
- Some of the seating is circular bench seats.
- The majority of the surface along this section is concrete tiles.
- The surface around the circular bench seating is block paved.
Windows and Walls to Taking Flight
- This section of the route is approximately 39m.
- After approximately 20m bear right and proceed onto the jetty.
- The surface of this section is concrete tiles and cobbles.
- This section of the route is level.
- There is no seating along this section of the route.
Sculpture 10 - Taking Flight
- This sculpture is located along the jetty and overlooks the marina and the River Wear.
- The sculpture is along approximately 49m of the jetty.
- The surface along this section is block paved.
- There are seats along this section.
Taking Flight to Stone Stair Carpet
- This section of the route is approximately 180m.
- This section is block paved with tarmac sections between.
- Return to the main path and proceed around the river bank.
- After approximately 44m there is a bollard.
- The minimum width of the path created by the bollard is over 150cm.
- The tarmac surface has a wide gutter at the river side which is uneven.
- After approximately 77m the surface becomes block paved to the left and large cobbles to the right.
- The cobbled surface is uneven.
- The width of the block paved section is over 150cm.
- After the bend the surface becomes tarmac again.
- There are bollards after approximately 15m.
- The minimum width between the bollards is 141cm.
- The surface of the path beyond the bollards is concrete.
- There is bench seating along the first tarmac area of this section of the route.
Sculpture 11 - Stone Stair Carpet
- This sculpture is beyond a locked gate and can be viewed over the surrounding fence.
- This sculpture leads from the river wall into the River Wear.
- There is bench seating with armrests on both sides overlooking this sculpture.
- The surface at the bench seating is concrete.
Stone Stair Carpet to High Tide
- This section of the route is approximately 183m.
- The surface of the majority of this section is tarmac.
- There are bollards at the start of this section.
- The minimum width of the bollards is 142cm.
- There is an easy uphill gradient along the first 43m of this section.
- There are uneven block paved areas along the river side of the path, and crossing the path after approximately 43m.
- The route continues to overlook the River Wear.
- After approximately 87m the surface becomes block paved and is uneven in places.
- The route turns to the left.
- There is an easy ramp without handrails.
- The width of the ramp is 119cm.
- There are 3 deep steps without handrails.
- There are not tactile markings at the top and bottom of the steps.
- The steps are not clearly marked.
- The ramp overcomes the steps.
- The surface of the route becomes tarmac at the ramp and steps.
Sculpture 12 - High Tide
- This sculpture is located on the shingle to the right hand side of the path.
- The sculpture can be viewed from the path or accessed via the slipway.
- The gradient of the slipway is steep.
- The width of the slipway is over 150cm.
- There are no handrails on the slipway.
Sculpture 13 - Always Open Gates
- This sculpture is located off the main trail, at the entrance to Ingeus on Liberty Way.
- There is very limited on street parking near to this sculpture.
- There is a moderate slope in Liberty Way.
- There is level access to the sculpture from Dame Dorothy Street.
- The surface of the footpath at this sculpture is tarmac.