South Bents Area & Property Guide

Are you looking for a home by the sea, which also offers proximity to Sunderland? South Bents is situated in a much sought-after area set midway between Seaburn and Whitburn and gives residents a chance to live right by one of the region’s Blue Flag and Seaside Award-winning beaches without losing the convenience of being near a big city. Indeed, you only need to head to Seaburn Metro station to reach Sunderland city centre, or you could walk into the city centre in 15/20 minutes.

The area has always been popular with residents and visitors; however, since Whitburn Academy includes South Bents within its catchment area, it has become more popular than ever with young families. In recent years, we’ve even helped young professionals who have yet to start a family buying in South Bents with the knowledge that when they eventually do have children, they know they’ll be able to get them into Whitburn Academy. This has caused pricing in this area to rise sharply recently.

In addition to the stunning Blue Flag beach popular with surfers and fishermen, South Bents is also blessed with plenty of country walks, making it a great choice for nature lovers.

A wide range of amenities, plus amusement arcades, playgrounds, and promenades, make this the ideal location for people of all ages, especially families with children.

As South Bents is such a desirable area, houses seldom stay on the market long. When they do come to market, they’re often quite varied, ranging from modern apartments to period-style cottages which are located on the beach called the Bents, a stunning crescent of fisherman cottages with uninterrupted views across farmland to the front and uninterrupted sea and beach views at the rear.

South Bents mainly consists of pre-war and post-war semi-detached homes and bungalows. On the old site of the Bay Hotel, you’ll also find Bay Court, a modern block of apartments ideal, but not exclusively, for young professionals and represents excellent value for money given the stunning sea views and close proximately to beautiful amenities. The property styles usually occupy slightly larger plots with more extensive than average gardens.

When the sun’s out, it’s time to enjoy South Bents’ best feature – it’s literally on the beach! The flat, sandy beach is ideal for people of any age, from young children keen to build a sandcastle to older couples who want to spend the day soaking up the sun. Another thing about any of the beautiful beaches in Sunderland and the rest of the North East are the sea conditions. Due to the fact that there are no deep shelves to the seabed on the coastline, the currents are not too strong, making it an ideal place for swimmers and surfers alike. All swimmers are urged to observe the lifeguard’s safety flags for the sea conditions.

Further along the coast, you'll also find Roker Park, which has a playground for children, a lake, a café and a Victorian bandstand. You also have the Yacht Club and the Marine Activity Centre, popular with families and those keen on sailing. Sunderland's famous Marina is only a 10-minute walk, while Roker Park is even closer with a 5-minute walk.

The Stack is also a fantastic option for you and your family and friends to enjoy a variety of street food and drinks. There are also many bars to choose from so you can enjoy a drink with friends.

As for eating out – there are plenty of cafes and restaurants to choose from. Latimers Seafood Deli and Café is ideal for fish fans, and Little Italy on Whitburn Road is excellent for Italian cuisine.

If you’re looking for a day out or an evening out, you’re spoilt for choice with a great selection of bars, cafes, and restaurants, all within a 10-minute walk.

The South Bents area has plenty of handy amenities on the doorstep, so you won’t have to venture far to pick up the essentials. There's a Morrisons supermarket in Seaburn, which provides all the essential food and drink, plus several nearby convenience stores. A 10-minute walk from South Bents will take you to Sea Road shopping centre in Fulwell. There are also some excellent gyms in South Bents and Seaburn, such as Club Zest and Marine House Gym80.

South Bents Travel

It’s an excellent area for commuters too. Seaburn Metro station is just a short walk away, and you are midway between the city centre, South Shields, and Newcastle upon Tyne. You can easily reach major cities like London and Edinburgh from Sunderland station.

South Bents Schools

Families with children will be pleased to know that there are several schools close by. These include the highly regarded Seaburn Dene Primary School, Fulwell Junior School, and Monkwearmouth Academy.