Wearside

u3a

Wearside Wanderers

Status:Active, open to new members
Group leader:
Chris
When: Variable - See Events but mainly 4th Wednesdays
Venue: TBC - To Be Confirmed (see individual Events)
Cost: Variable - see Costs on Events

Some meetings to guage interest and plan trips and then Trips to local attractions.

Forthcoming events

Wed 27th May 2026
2:00 pm
Group Meeting
Wearside Wanderers - Further Planning Meeting
Planning for 2026. IMPORTANT - Refreshments cannot be guaranteed at this meeting - Bring your own if you need refreshments.
Cost: Probably £2
Wed 24th Jun 2026
9:00 am
Outing
Wearside Wanderers - Trip to Cragside, Rothbury
Entry to Cragside - Free to National Trust members or £20.25 per person. If a NT member - Don't forget your membership card on the day. Coach - Approx, £24 […]
Cost: Coach (Approx £24) + Entry (£20.25) if not a NT member
Booking Required
Mon 20th Jul 2026
Outing
Wearside Wanderers - Trip to Thirsk
Coach leaves Cowan Terrace at 9 a.m. and expected to arrive in Thirsk approx. 10 a.m. Morning - World of James Herriot - Tour booked at 10:30 a.m. Cost £6 […]
Cost: Coach £24 and Entrance Fees £15 = £39
Booking Required
Wed 26th Aug 2026
Other
Wearside Wanderers - Summer Break - No Meeting
No Wearside Wanderers meeting
Cost: Nil - No Meeting 
One of our members, Chris M., is interested in arranging outings to places of interest within the region. These could include visits to stately homes or gardens for example but other venues would also be considered.

PLANNING FOR 2026

DISCUSSION DOCUMENT

A planning meeting was held on Wednesday 22nd October 2025 in the Sunderland International Bangladeshi Centre with members of the Wearside Wanderers Group (WW).

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss proposed venues and dates for meetings of WW during 2026.

Members proposed that, wherever possible, visits would take place on the routine date for meetings of WW, i.e. the fourth Wednesday of each month. It was noted that due to opening dates and availability of venues, these dates might have to change.

The remaining dates for 2026 are as follows:-

27thMay

24thJune

20th July (Monday)

26thAugust

23rdSeptember

28thOctober

25thNovember

No meeting in December

It was noted that the Committee were currently considering venues for all future meetings of Wearside U3A so venues for WW would be confirmed as soon as possible.

A list of suggested venues was tabled and members were invited to make more suggestions.

It was proposed that there should be 6 – 7 trips per year and that these should take place on February, April, June, July OR August (depending on members’ holidays), September, October and November.

Proposed venues were as follows:-

Best to visit in Summer - ?June/July?August

  1. Auckland Palace & Gardens
  1. Gibside
  1. Cragside

Kynren Storied Lands

Following recent planning permission, development has now begun on this historical theme park which is set to open in Summer 2026.

If it is anything like the original Puy de Fou in France, it will be spectacular but expensive. Maybe definitely worth it as a one-off.

More details to be sought nearer the time. Potential visit date September/October.

Raby Castle

Although some members might have visited recently, e.g. with Regional U3A, it might be nice to try to arrange a visit nearer Christmas time.

FINALLY

Members noted the increasing costs of transport for trips, especially when the coaches were only half full. It was proposed that invitations be opened to family/friends of U3A members in an attempt to reduce the cost per head. Concern was expressed that this might mean that members would not be able to book a place but it was considered that, if earlier notice of trips was given, members would be able to book early. In addition, a larger coach could be booked if there is high demand for places.

Below are some Photos from a Trip to Leeds in April 2026

Links