IT’S your last chance to visit a major tourist attraction in the UK – unless you can wait until 2028.
Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens dates back to 1879, now home to four floors of local history, science and art as well as an impressive glass-domed tropical greenhouse.
However on August 29, the free-to-visit attraction will close its doors for two years for a huge renovation project.
The £13.6million project will include new entrances and a ‘shop window’ style exhibit.
This will allow it to show off items like its Nissan car that was the first off the production line at the Sunderland factory in 1986.
New rooms will be created too such as The Growing Space, with a tree-like canopy that will be used as a place for activities, and other exhibition spaces will be added.
The tropical gardens which sit alongside the museum will get new lighting and seating areas as well as new plant species.
Currently inside the greenhouse are over 2,000 plants as well as man-made streams and ponds with colourful Koi fish.
There’s also a treetop walkway to see through the canopy and spot Mowbray Park through the glass.
Amongst the tropical plants is a permanent collection of life-sized dinosaur models and fossils.
During the works, the dinosaurs will be stored away safely, as will Wallace the Lion – a taxidermy lion from 1868.
During the closure, a new Culture House will open on September 12, where some museum activities will take place.
Other events that would have usually been held in the attraction will go-head at other places across the city.
Councillor Ciera Hudspith, cabinet member for culture, tourism and heritage at Sunderland City Council, said: “This once-in-a-generation transformation is about creating a museum that is fit for the future, while protecting its heritage and collections for generations to come.
“While we know people will be sad to see the museum temporarily close, this marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for one of our best-loved attractions.”
Ciera continued: “We’re also really excited to take museum activities out into communities across our city while the redevelopment work is underway.”
If you want to find out more about the museums around England – here’s a full list of 200 that are completely free.