The National Glass Centre in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, is hosting a free Mad Science Trail for families with children aged four and older from 14 to 28 February 2026. This drop-in, self-guided activity offers a low-cost, educational option for local parents looking for things to do during the February half-term.
Participants can pick up a trail sheet from the Visitor Services desk and search the galleries to solve a mystery and discover the name of a mad scientist. According to Sunderland City Council’s published term dates, the local February half-term runs from 23–27 February 2026; the centre has opened the trail earlier (from 14 February) to include weekend visitors and neighbouring school schedules.
The event is one of the final holiday programmes to take place at the National Glass Centre’s Liberty Way riverside building before it closes to the public on 31 July 2026. The University of Sunderland says surveys identified structural problems with the building’s external envelope, including the glass roof, and that the estimated repair costs are unaffordable; that is the reason given for the planned closure. Some activities are expected to be delivered from other city locations while plans progress for a new facility, including the ‘Glassworks: Sunderland’ project in Sunniside, which has secured grant funding and is planned to open in 2028.
Families can explore the venue at their own pace and no prior booking is required to take part in the Mad Science Trail. Visitors should note that Hot Glass Studio (hot glass) demonstrations will not be running on Saturday 14 February 2026, although the trail remains open for the full duration of the event.
About this article: This story was put together with the help of AI tools and checked by a real person on our team. We're a small crew trying to cover as much of the UK as we can on a limited budget. We're getting better every day - but we're not perfect yet. If something looks off, let us know. You're part of the process.
