Last reviewed: · Prices in British Pounds Sterling (£ GBP) and US Dollars ($ USD) are approximate and for orientation only.
Why visit Washington (Sunderland (UK))
Washington (Sunderland (UK)) is a historic market town & borough in Sunderland (North East England), United Kingdom, with a population of approximately 67,085 at an elevation of 59 m. Washington (Sunderland (UK)) is a historic market town & borough in Sunderland (North East England).
Getting to Washington & National Rail transit
From London & Edinburgh: Take National Rail or a regional coach via Newcastle Airport (NCL) to Newcastle upon Tyne & Durham, then local rail or bus to Washington.
Nearest Airport & Rail Hub: Newcastle Airport (NCL) (10 km) · National Rail / Coach: Newcastle Central & Durham (LNER).
Recommended Railcards & Heritage Passes: £35 Railcard (1/3 off National Rail), Contactless transit & National Trust / English Heritage Pass. Compare fares in £ GBP with our UK National Rail & £35 Railcard Calculator, London TfL Contactless & City Transit Calculator, and BritRail & Heritage Pass Calculator.
Top things to see & do in Washington
- Washington Historic High Street & Market Cross
- Washington Parish Church & Heritage Quarter
- Sunderland Scenic Footpaths & National Trust Surrounds
Neighbourhoods & quarters
Washington High Street & Market Square
Historic town centre, listed buildings, independent tearooms, and coaching-inn pubs of Washington.
Station & Heritage Quarter
Main National Rail and regional bus gateway connecting Washington with Newcastle upon Tyne & Durham.
What to eat in Washington — Local Specialties & British Culinary Guide
Dining in Washington reflects the culinary heritage of North East England, combining historic coaching-inn gastropubs, afternoon tearooms, farm-shop cheeses, and regional specialties.
Signature Local Dishes
Washington Must-Try Specialties
- Craster Kippers (Oak-Smoked Herring)
- Newcastle Brown Ale & Quayside Stottie Cake
- Pan Haggerty
- Lindisfarne Mead
- Northumberland Cheeses
- Oak-Smoked Craster Kippers — North Sea herring split and cold-smoked for 16 hours over oak sawdust in traditional 19th-century Northumberland smokehouses, poached with butter (£11–£16).
- Northumberland Pan Haggerty & Geordie Stottie — Layered thinly sliced potatoes, onions, and Northumberland cheese baked until crisp, alongside warm ham-and-pease-pudding stottie flatbreads.
- Lindisfarne Oysters & Boulmer Crab — Cold-water oysters harvested along the Holy Island tidal flats and North Sea brown crab.
North East England Regional Cuisine
Regional Staples & Drinks
Oak-Smoked Craster Kippers (North Sea herring split and cold-smoked for 16 hours over oak sawdust in traditional 19th-century Northumberland smokehouses, poached with butter (£11–£16).) Northumberland Pan Haggerty & Geordie Stottie (Layered thinly sliced potatoes, onions, and Northumberland cheese baked until crisp, alongside warm ham-and-pease-pudding stottie flatbreads.) Lindisfarne Oysters & Boulmer Crab (Cold-water oysters harvested along the Holy Island tidal flats and North Sea brown crab.)
Local Drinks: Newcastle Brown Ale & Wylam Craft Beer, Lindisfarne St Aidan's Spiced Honey Mead, Earl Grey Tea (named after Northumberland's 2nd Earl Grey)
Where to Eat in Washington: Historic Coaching Inns, Gastropubs & Markets
Explore the high street and market square of Washington alongside regional culinary hubs including Grainger Market (Newcastle upon Tyne, est. 1835), Tynemouth Station Weekend Market, Durham Indoor Market Hall, Alnwick Market Place.
Recommended Dining Quarters: Grainger Market (Newcastle upon Tyne, est. 1835) · Tynemouth Station Weekend Market · Durham Indoor Market Hall · Alnwick Market Place
Local Cask Ales, Whiskies & Pairings: Newcastle Brown Ale & Wylam Craft Beer · Lindisfarne St Aidan's Spiced Honey Mead · Earl Grey Tea (named after Northumberland's 2nd Earl Grey)
Pub Ordering & 12.5% Service Tips: In British pubs, you order and pay for drinks (and often food) directly at the bar rather than waiting for table service — remember to note your table number first. At sit-down restaurants, check the bill for an optional 12.5% discretionary service charge before adding an extra tip. Use our British English Phrasebook & Allergy Show-Cards to order confidently.
Closest neighbouring UK towns to Washington
- Chester-le-Street — 5.9 km away
- The Boldons — 6.2 km away
- Lamesley — 6.2 km away
- Pelton — 6.7 km away
- Felling — 6.9 km away