Thompson Park
🏟 Playground & park · Southwick, Sunderland
Thompson Park
A regenerated Southwick park with a large inclusive play area, adventure playground with a zip wire, interactive football wall and cafe.
🕑 Opening & entry
🌱 Open daily · Free · No booking needed
📍 Location & directions
Address: Newcastle Road, Southwick, Sunderland, SR5 1PL
Plus Code: 9C6WWJG5+HF
About Thompson Park
Thompson Park is a popular community park on Newcastle Road in Southwick, Sunderland, managed by Sunderland City Council and the focus of a major regeneration project worth around GBP 740,000. Following the works it offers an outstanding range of play and activity facilities for families. There is a large enclosed play area with equipment suitable for all ages and abilities, including inclusive items such as a swing, roundabout and seesaw designed for wheelchair users, alongside a toddler play area. Next to it an un-enclosed adventure playground features climbing equipment, slides and a zip wire for more energetic play. A standout attraction is the Yalp SUTU interactive football wall, a digital game wall that responds to shots with lights and sounds, and the park also has a running track and a trim trail obstacle course with outdoor gym equipment. Sports facilities include bowling greens, tennis courts and football pitches. The Thompson Park Cafe offers homemade cakes and light bites, and there is free Wi-Fi throughout the park. Reached by bus routes 20, 9 and E2, the park is free to enter and open daily, making it one of the best-equipped family play destinations in the north of the city.
⭐ What makes this place special
- Yalp SUTU interactive football wall
- Running track
- Trim trail with outdoor gym equipment
- Bowling greens
- Tennis courts
- Football pitches
🏞 Facilities
- Free entry
- Café / refreshments
- Accessibility: Inclusive play equipment including a swing, roundabout and seesaw for wheelchair users; free Wi-Fi throughout the park
🧒 Ages & play
- Ages: Equipment for all ages and abilities
- Large enclosed play area with equipment for all ages and abilities
- Inclusive swing, roundabout and seesaw for wheelchair users
- Un-enclosed adventure playground with climbing equipment
- Slides
- Zip wire
📍 Nearby places to play
- Roker Park · approx 0.9 miles · Roker
- Mowbray Park · approx 1.8 miles · City Centre
- Backhouse Park · approx 2.2 miles · Ashbrooke
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❓ Frequently asked questions
Is Thompson Park free?
Yes. Thompson Park is a free public park managed by Sunderland City Council.
Is the play area inclusive?
Yes. The large enclosed play area has equipment for all ages and abilities, including a swing, roundabout and seesaw designed for wheelchair users.
Is there a zip wire?
Yes. The un-enclosed adventure playground has climbing equipment, slides and a zip wire, alongside the main enclosed play area.
Is there a cafe?
Yes. The Thompson Park Cafe serves homemade cakes and light bites, and there is free Wi-Fi throughout the park.
What is the interactive football wall?
It is a Yalp SUTU interactive football wall, a digital game wall that responds to shots with lights and sounds, alongside a running track and trim trail.