Sunderland has undergone a remarkable transformation, confirming its identity as a vibrant, forward-thinking City, and as a great place to live and work.

It offers the kind of balanced lifestyle that people increasingly demand, so businesses investing in the City have the assurance of knowing they can attract and retain high quality employees.

To complete the City's transformation, the urban regeneration company, Sunderland arc, has been established with a 15 year programme that will deliver investment totalling £1.2 billion.

A Balanced Lifestyle

There is a wide choice of affordable housing in the City, with easy access to schools, shops and leisure facilities.

The City Centre has recently benefited from a £200 million investment programme centred upon the Bridges Shopping Centre, and offers a quality experience for local people and visitors alike.

The prestigious Museum & Winter Gardens in Mowbray Park features a fine collection of exotic plants in a towering glass and steel structure, complete with aerial walkways.

The National Glass Centre boasts some of the world's finest glass exhibitions, and the City Art Gallery is host to the Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art.

St. Peter's Church, above the north bank of the river, is internationally renowned for its association with the Venerable Bede, and has recently been nominated as a World Heritage Site.

In addition to a state school sector that includes superbly equipped establishments specialising in business and enterprise, there are two independent schools in the City, Sunderland High School and Argyle House School.

A Lively City

At night, the City Centre comes alive with a café and bar society that is being further developed through the regeneration of the historic Sunniside area.

The Empire Theatre is a grand Edwardian building that has recently been refurbished to ensure it continues to attract the top West End productions to Sunderland.

A new multiplex cinema and an Olympic-sized swimming pool has recently opened in the city.

Silksworth Sports Complex provides year-round facilities for dry-slope skiing and snowboarding, while football fans can cheer Sunderland AFC at the spectacular 48,500 seat Stadium of Light.

The seafront boasts extensive sandy beaches, a promenade, marine activities centre and a 200 berth marina, and is the venue for an air show that attracts more than a million visitors each year.

The Great Outdoors

For those who favour outdoor pursuits, there is open countryside within 5 km of the City Centre, with important nature reserves at Washington (Wildfowl & Wetlands Centre) and Houghton-le-Spring (Rainton Meadows).

The picturesque River Wear flows down from the North Pennines (an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty), past the historic cathedral city of Durham before entering the North Sea at Sunderland.

As well as locally accessible countryside, there are three national parks within 40 km of the City - Northumberland (Hadrian's Wall), the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors.

Sunderland is also the destination for the famous C2C Cycle Route, which begins on the Cumbrian Coast and follows a challenging 225 km route through the Lake District and over the North Pennines.

Golfing facilities in Sunderland include the George Washington Golf & Country Club, which offers an 18 hole (par 73) championship course set in 80 hectares of mature parkland.

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