What Happened to Sunderland’s Coal Mines?

Beneath Sunderland’s Stadium of Light lies a hidden story most people never think about. Before football crowds, floodlights and matchdays, this ground was once part of Wearmouth Colliery, one of the deepest coal mines in Europe. For generations, coal shaped Sunderland, providing work, powering industry, and defining entire communities across Wearside. In this video, we explore what lay beneath the pitch, how Sunderland’s coal mines shaped the city, and what happened when they closed. From Wearmouth Colliery to pits spread across Sunderland, this is the story of how coal built the city, and how its disappearance changed everything above ground. This is Sunderland’s hidden industrial history, told through the places you recognise today. If you’re interested in Sunderland history, coal mining heritage, or the story of how cities change over time, this video is for you.