Applicant: City of Sunderland
Location: Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, North East
Grant awarded: £9.9 million
Grant programme: Public Parks Initiative
Heritage area: Land
Benefits: Regeneration, Conservation and Job Creation
Key words: Regeneration, audience development, learning/ education opportunities, information technology, conservation/ repairs,digitisation

Background to the project
Mowbray Park, built in 1857, was one of the first and finest public parks in the country. The Museum, Art Gallery and Winter Gardens were added in 1879. The Winter Gardens was inspired by the Great Exhibition’s Crystal Palace. The Winter Gardens was damaged by a parachute mine in 1941 and was demolished in 1942. The Museum and Art Gallery became underused and were in serious need of regeneration. Mowbray Gardens was adopted as the umbrella name for the Museum, Winter Gardens and Mowbray Park. The development of Mowbray Gardens demonstrates the success of heritage-led regeneration as it is seen as the “jewel in the crown” in the regeneration of Sunderland.

What did the project involve?
Following two years of major redevelopment work, Mowbray Gardens re-opened to the public in July 2001, restored to its former glory and updated to provide a 21st Century attraction. Outreach activity in schools linked the history of the Park with the National Curriculum encouraging access and audience development.

The restored and updated Museum enabled visitors to celebrate and identify the history of the city through exciting displays combining hands-on exhibits, computer interactive and video presentations. Housing over 1,500 exotic plants, the new Winter Gardens provided a green oasis in the heart of the city centre and added a new dimension to this visitor attraction. The project partners included The City of Sunderland, Northumbrian Water, the Friends of Sunderland Museums and the Wolfson Foundation.

What difference did the project make?
The project involved extensive consultation with visitors and the wider general public to transform what was already a popular venue into one of the most exciting visitor attractions in the region. It re-developed an area of Sunderland which was in serious need of regeneration and has provided a heritage quarter in the City.

One of the main objectives of the project was to encourage visitors and involve communities in heritage activities. The Museum and Gallery has over 8,000 school visits per year and, since it opened in July 2001, Mowbray Gardens has attracted approximately 800,000 visitors making it the most visited attraction outside London in its first year of opening. The project has been a huge success, leading the regeneration of Sunderland. Through innovative design, restoration and regeneration, the park has once again become the People’s Park.

How did the project meet our criteria?
The project conserved and enhanced an important North East Park and Museum providing a good mix of new build – the Winter Gardens – alongside the traditional heritage of the Park.

The community ownership and access to the attraction was maximised through educational activities and successful community consultation. Importantly the sustainability of the project was considered throughout the development of the application offering long-term benefits and value for money. An example of partnership working and good practice all round!

Useful tips