My Heritage Open Day

This weekend is the Heritage Open Days weekend. It's the first time I've been in the country when it's  been on as I'm usually away on hols. 

And so, to a vintage bus ride around the City of Sunderland. We set off bright and early on Saturday morning. Our chariot for the day a lovingly restored and very cute "1961 Bristol" which used to ferry paying passengers between Leeds and Newcastle via Middlesbrough and Sunderland.

The bus set off from Monkwearmouth Station Museum which is currently showing an exhibtion of 1914 WW1 recruitment posters.

First stop on the vintage bus tour was Hylton Castle where we were given a very interesting guided tour and plenty of time to wander about taking photographs.

Back on the bus to our next destination - the Washington F Pit museum. One of the oldest coal mines in the area where the winding room has been restored for visitors to look around. It's only open a few times a year so we were lucky to get in and see it.  A canny little museum that was worth a look in.

Back on the bus again to our final destination - the North East Land, Sea and Air Museum, (NELSAM)  This is a true gem of a place that I didn't even know existed.  It's located next to Nissan on what was the old Sunderland Airport site. 

NELSAM is a bit ramshackle to be honest, with various planes, trams and vintage vehicles in various states of restoration dotted about the in what seemed like a haphazard type of affair. But therein lies the joy of the place. It's fantastic.

There was also a WW1 exhibition inside of the hangars which was very enjoyable. We had our picnic lunch on the benches on what was a gloriously sunny day and I can't recommend NELSAM enough, if you haven't been and you live in the area, do visit.

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