Whitburn Area & Property Guide

Whitburn is one of Sunderland’s most desirable locations. It’s the perfect base for those who love being close to the sea but don’t want to miss everything the countryside offers. Whitburn feels like a quintessential seaside village without any of the tackiness. It’s been redeveloped extensively in recent years, and the new properties and schools in the area work hand in hand beautifully with the period properties that date as far back as the 17th century. Residences are within easy reach of Sunderland city centre, South Shields, and Newcastle upon Tyne. Whitburn is also within easy reach of two stations - Seaburn and East Boldon metro.

Much loved by the painter L.S Lowry and Lewis Carroll, who spent their holidays in Whitburn village, the long stretches of clifftops and sand are perfect for horse riding and dog walking.

The area is also a popular spot for Sunderland’s International Airshow – a major free event that’s the largest of its kind in Europe. This makes Whitburn the ideal location for those who love aviation and flying.

If you’ve had your fill of the beach, you can make the most of the surrounding greenery and walks, which include Cornthwaite Park, Whitburn Cricket Club and Latimer’s Seafood Deli, as featured by none other than Rick Stein, which all provide a pleasant change of scenery. The properties reflect the upmarket feel of Whitburn, with plenty of spacious mansions, terraced homes, and cottages, together with spacious modern detached homes for sale and some modern apartments with beautiful sea views.

Whitburn has some stunning properties on the market, both new and old. Leading architects often design contemporary apartments and houses to build here, and the period properties come from various eras, such as Victorian double-fronted terraced houses and cosy stone cottages.

If you’re looking for a palatial-style home, this is the area to find it. Many of Whitburn’s homes are super-sized, with ample living areas, several bedrooms, and extensive gardens. Some also come with uninterrupted views of the sea and farmlands, but these tend to be purchased quickly, so interested buyers must act quickly. There are some stylish modern detached houses available. However, if you prefer some period atmosphere, there are also a few Victorian and Edwardian homes with original features like bay windows and fireplaces.

Developers have also been busy in the area, which means there are some great contemporary houses to choose from. These offer plenty of room inside at a more affordable price.

First-time buyers will be pleased to know that they’re not priced out of the market, with ex-local authority semi-detached homes, making Whitburn a hip and trendy location to live for professional first-time buyers.

Investing in Whitburn Properties

Located close to the Sunderland shoreline, Whitburn is a highly desirable area that offers all the delights of coastal life while keeping locals within easy reach of the city centre.

It’s a part of Sunderland that attracts people of all ages, making it ideal for first-time buyers and families searching for more room to accommodate their lifestyles. You’ll find a good range of property sizes available on the market, from stylish 1-bedroom flats to luxuriously large 6-bedroom period houses overlooking Whitburn Village Green. Average property prices in Whitburn were just over £250,000 in 2023, making it a more than affordable option for many.

In terms of architecture, you’ll find everything from Tudor, Stuart, Georgian, Victorian, and Edwardian houses to modern and new-build properties, making it easy to align your aesthetic tastes with your investment nous.

Renting Property in Whitburn

The rental market in Whitburn is one to keep a close eye on, as properties are snapped up almost as quickly as they are listed. Accommodation types range from semi-detached houses to bungalows and modern flats, with prices sitting at reasonable levels.

For example, you can expect to pay £600 to £700 pcm for a spacious 1-bedroom flat or apartment in Whitburn. As you would expect, a 2-bedroom house will cost a little bit more, but not much, with rental listings of £750-£950 pcm offering a fair deal. With the city centre only 15 minutes away by road, renters can pick and choose when they mingle with the busy parts of the city while always having the quieter confines of the coast to escape back to.

There are some great attractions in and around Whitburn. The beach is a significant draw. The long stretch of sand is perfect for lazy summer days with the family or even running when the temperature drops. The local pub, shops, cafes and restaurants also offer a massive draw around Whitburn's beautiful village green area.

In neighbouring Seaburn (a short stroll away), you’ll find an impressive selection of shops, bars and café, together with a beautiful promenade featuring cocktails bars, restaurants and ice cream parlours, which in turn leads to Seaburn’s blue flag and award-winning seaside.

Venture a little further, and you’ll find Roker Park, which has lush green fields, a play area, and a lake, café and Victorian bandstand. If you’re fond of horse riding, North Lizard Riding School is also only a short distance away, and you’ll find many of the horses from their galloping along the beach. During winter, Roker Park is beautifully illuminated with an impressive Ferris wheel.

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.

If you’re looking for a lively night out on the Seafront, then Whitburn, Seaburn and Roker are the places to be! There’s a great selection of gin bars, cocktail bars, craft ale pubs, microbreweries, and restaurants, which can make for a great night out! With a cycle path on the promenade, this is a regular route used by coast-to-coast cyclists and leads down to Sunderland’s beautiful riverside with the St Peter’s University campus, National Glass Centre. You'll find Sunderland city centre just slightly beyond that and over Monkwearmouth bridge.

Whitburn has a quiet village atmosphere, with some great local businesses catering to your every need. Tutti Frutti Ice-Cream is a sure-fire hit with the children of Whitburn Academy, one of the country’s leading secondary schools. There are also convenience stores, pet shops, tattoo parlours, newsagents, and more.

Whitburn Schools

Whitburn is also home to Whitburn C of E Academy, and there are plenty of other schools nearby, such as Seaburn Dene Primary School, Fulwell Junior School and Cleadon C of E Academy, a feeder school for Whitburn Academy.