You are on Route Information. Skip to the next section.

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.

You are on Palmer's Hill Road to Shadows in Another Light. Skip to the next section.

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).

You are on Sculpture 1 - Shadows in Another Light. Skip to the next section.

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.

You are on Shadows in Another Light to Pathways of Knowledge. Skip to the next section.

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.

You are on Sculpture 2 - Pathways of Knowledge. Skip to the next section.

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.

You are on Pathways of Knowledge to The Red House. Skip to the next section.

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.

You are on Sculpture 3 - The Red House. Skip to the next section.

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.

You are on The Red House to Watching and Waiting. Skip to the next section.

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.

You are on Sculpture 4 - Watching and Waiting. Skip to the next section.

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.

You are on Watching and Waiting to Flight. Skip to the next section.

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.

You are on Sculpture 5 - Flight. Skip to the next section.

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.

You are on Flight to Sea to Seats. Skip to the next section.

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.

You are on Sculpture 6 - Sea to Seats. Skip to the next section.

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.

You are on Sculpture 7 - Passing Through. Skip to the next section.

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.

You are on Passing Through to Paddle Gate. Skip to the next section.

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.

You are on Sculpture 8 - Paddle Gate. Skip to the next section.

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.

You are on Paddle Gate to Windows and Walls. Skip to the next section.

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.

You are on Sculpture 9 - Windows and Walls. Skip to the next section.

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.

You are on Windows and Walls to Taking Flight. Skip to the next section.

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.

You are on Sculpture 10 - Taking Flight. Skip to the next section.

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.

You are on Taking Flight to Stone Stair Carpet. Skip to the next 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.

You are on Sculpture 11 - Stone Stair Carpet. Skip to the next section.

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.

You are on Stone Stair Carpet to High Tide. Skip to the next section.

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.

You are on Sculpture 12 - High Tide. Skip to the next section.

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.

You are on Sculpture 13 - Always Open Gates. Skip to the next section.

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.