Penshaw Monument and Herrington Park

The weather has been lovely this week, so we decided to take full advantage of it by hopping on the school minibus to explore our local area. Just a short drive from the school, we visited Penshaw Monument and Herrington Country Park.

Penshaw Monument stands proudly as a Sunderland landmark, offering breathtaking panoramic views of Sunderland and the surrounding countryside. Built in 1844, it was constructed as a tribute to John George Lambton, the 1st Earl of Durham.  Designed in the classical style of a Greek temple, the monument’s architecture is inspired by the Temple of Hephaestus in Athens.

Over the last two days, 50 children had the thrilling chance to climb to the top of the monument, where they used binoculars to spot key landmarks across the city and the picturesque countryside.

Just beside the monument is Herrington Country Park, which was developed on the grounds of the former Herrington Colliery, a coal mine that once played a vital role in Sunderland’s industrial history. The children enjoyed a scenic walk around the park’s lake, where they spotted swans and geese. They were even lucky enough to see a goose that had migrated all the way from Greenland! To finish off the day, the children had some fun on the playground.