Bridges, Beacons & Heritage: A Morning Exploring Sunderland

The weather this morning was looking bright and promising, with a light mist adding a soft glow to the early landscape. Knowing the winds were forecast to pick up later in the day, I made an early start and headed out towards Sunderland, making the most of the calm conditions to capture a series of brilliant locations.

Today’s shoot included a mix of engineering and heritage—from bridges old and new, to a historic lighthouse on the coast, and a beautiful church steeped in local history. While it was only a short window of good weather, it turned out to be a morning packed with striking architecture, sweeping views and stories from Sunderland’s past, all brought to life through the lens of the drone.

Queen Alexandra Bridge

The Queen Alexandra Bridge is a striking steel structure that spans the River Wear in Sunderland, connecting Pallion to Deptford. Completed in 1909, the bridge was originally designed to accommodate both rail and road traffic, making it a rare example of a double-deck bridge in the UK. Its upper deck carried vehicles and pedestrians, while the lower deck served as a railway crossing, primarily used to transport coal from the collieries to the docks—a vital artery during Sunderland’s industrial heyday. Named in honour of Queen Alexandra, wife of King Edward VII, the bridge symbolised the city's growing industrial strength and maritime importance at the beginning of the 20th century. Although the railway deck is no longer in use today, the road level remains a crucial route for traffic moving across the city.

From the air, the Queen Alexandra Bridge stands as an impressive feat of Edwardian engineering, its steel lattice framework casting intricate shadows across the River Wear below. The aerial perspective reveals its integration into the surrounding urban landscape, framed by the riverbanks, roads, and nearby industrial buildings. The geometry of the bridge—its repeating steel arches and towering supports—creates a dramatic composition when viewed from above. Capturing it in the morning light with the river shimmering below offered a dynamic contrast between the historic structure and the modern city skyline, a clear visual representation of Sunderland’s evolution from an industrial powerhouse to a city embracing its heritage.

St Peter’s Church, Monkwearmouth

St Peter’s Church in Monkwearmouth is one of the most historically significant churches in England, and a true jewel in Sunderland’s heritage. Founded in AD 674 by Benedict Biscop, it formed part of the Monkwearmouth–Jarrow Abbey, one of the most influential centres of learning and culture in Anglo-Saxon England. The church is one of the oldest surviving stone churches in the country, with parts of the original 7th-century tower still standing today. It played a vital role in the Golden Age of Northumbria, particularly as the home of the Venerable Bede, the renowned scholar and historian who was educated there. Over the centuries, the church has been extended and restored, but it remains a place of living history, preserving its deep spiritual and cultural legacy.

From above, St Peter’s Church presents a beautiful blend of ancient stonework and quiet reverence, nestled within its historic churchyard and surrounded by the modern sprawl of Sunderland. The drone’s aerial view highlights the contrast between the timeless structure and the city beyond, with the River Wear just a short distance away. The distinctive Anglo-Saxon tower, with its narrow windows and weathered stone, stands out clearly from the air, anchoring the church’s presence in the landscape. Capturing the site in the morning light, with long shadows and clear skies, brought out the rich textures of the stone and gave a sense of the church’s enduring role across more than 1,300 yearsof history. It’s a place where time truly seems to stand still.

Wearmouth & Sunderland Railway Bridges

The Wearmouth and Sunderland Railway Bridges span the River Wear side by side, forming a key part of the city's industrial and transport heritage. The original Wearmouth Railway Bridge, opened in 1879, was designed by T.E. Harrison, one of the leading engineers of the era, and was once hailed as the largest railway bridge in Britain. Built to carry coal, freight, and passengers, it played a crucial role in connecting Sunderland to the rest of the North East during the height of the railway boom. Later additions and reinforcements have modernised the structure, and today it remains in active use, forming part of the Tyne and Wear Metro system, still crossing the river with trains every few minutes. The adjacent road bridge, opened in 1929, provided vital relief for growing traffic, designed with graceful arches and a more modern silhouette for its time.

From the air, these two bridges create a striking visual composition, crossing the river in parallel like twin arteries connecting the city’s industrial heart. The drone’s perspective revealed the sweeping curves and steel spans, as well as the way both bridges slot into Sunderland’s layered cityscape—with the university, old shipyards, and the bustling riverside all forming part of the backdrop. The morning light illuminated the steelwork, casting long shadows across the water and drawing attention to the engineering contrasts between the older railway bridge and its more streamlined neighbour. Together, they symbolise the city's continued connection to its rail and maritime heritage, as well as its ongoing evolution as a place of movement, trade, and transformation.

Roker Lighthouse

Roker Lighthouse is one of Sunderland’s most iconic coastal landmarks, standing proudly at the end of Roker Pierwhere the River Wear meets the North Sea. Originally completed in 1903, the lighthouse was part of a major engineering project designed to protect Sunderland’s harbour and guide ships safely into port during the city’s industrial peak. Built from granite and Aberdeen red sandstone, it stands 23 metres tall and was equipped with a powerful revolving light to aid navigation. For over a century, Roker Lighthouse has withstood the force of the North Sea, symbolising both Sunderland’s maritime heritage and the skill of the engineers and builders who shaped the city’s coastline. After years of weathering and restoration, it remains a fully operational beacon and a beloved part of the local identity.

From above, Roker Lighthouse is breathtaking, sitting like a sentinel at the end of the long, curving pier that stretches out into the sea. The drone captured the sweep of the pier wall, drawing the eye out towards the lighthouse as it stands strong against the backdrop of crashing waves and open sky. The early sunlight shimmered across the water, casting reflections along the pier’s wet stone and adding drama to the shots. From this elevated view, you get a real sense of how the lighthouse guards the harbour entrance, while the surrounding beach, promenade, and marina come into view behind it, placing this elegant structure at the meeting point of sea, city, and history. It’s one of those scenes that looks spectacular from the ground—but truly shines when seen from above.

Wrapping Up the Day

With the weather on my side this morning—clear skies, soft early mist, and barely a breeze—I made the most of the conditions to explore and capture some of Sunderland’s most striking and historic landmarks. From the grandeur of the Queen Alexandra Bridge to the ancient stonework of St Peter’s Church, the city offered up a rich mix of industrial heritage and architectural beauty.

Seeing the bridges over the Wear from the air was especially rewarding—each one telling its own story of Sunderland’s growth and evolution, from the Victorian railway boom to the modern-day Metro system still in use today. And finishing the morning at Roker Pier, with the lighthouse catching the sunlight at the end of its long, sweeping curve, was a real highlight. There's something timeless about a beacon standing firm against the sea, and it made for the perfect closing capture.

Short and sweet, but today’s outing was a reminder that even a few hours in the right light can reveal an entire city’s story—you just need the right angle.