Sunderland, Lancashire

Sunderland is unique in the United Kingdom as being the only community to be on the mainland and yet dependent upon tidal access. The only vehicular access to the village is via a single-track road from Overton {{convert|1.5|mi|km}} away crossing a tidal marsh. The road is covered by water at every high tide. Among other effects, this results in the children of Sunderland sometimes being required to arrive late at school in Overton or to leave early to avoid being cut off by the tide. There is also access via a footpath and a bridlepath, neither of which are affected by tides.{{cite web|url=http://www.wetroads.co.uk/tidal.htm|title=Tidal Roads|publisher=wetroads.co.uk |accessdate=10 April 2014}}

It was developed as an outport for Lancaster by Robert Lawson, a Quaker, at the beginning of the 18th century.{{cite web|url=https://www.facingthepast.org/map/records/robert-lawson|title=Robert Lawson|publisher=Facing The Past| access-date=16 October 2023}} Reportedly, stonework from the ruined Cockersand Abbey just across the river was utilised in the construction of the quay and buildings. Lawson finally went bankrupt in 1728, which began a steady decline until it was totally surpassed by Glasson Dock, which opened in 1787.{{Cite book |first=Sir Alec |last=Skempton |display-authors=etal|title=A Biographical Dictionary of Civil Engineers in Great Britain and Ireland: Vol 1: 1500 to 1830|publisher=Thomas Telford |year=2002 |isbn=978-0-7277-2939-2|page=454 }}

Ships could unload here, or wait for the tide before moving up to the main docks at St. George's Quay in Lancaster and registering at the Customs House. Sailors were known to press-gang new recruits at the Three Mariners public house, just off the quay in Lancaster, and at the Golden Ball on the way back along the river at Snatchems.{{cite web|url=https://inpurespirit.com/1565/a-smugglers-ghost-at-snatchems-the-golden-ball/|title=A smuggler's ghost at Snatchems – the Golden Ball?|publisher=In Pure Spirit|access-date=16 October 2023}}

{{main|Sambo's Grave}}

The Port of Lancaster, once the third-largest in the country, was part of the slavery triangle. The master of a slave or servant called Sambo left him at Sunderland Point whilst he travelled on to Lancaster to undertake his business in the rest of Britain. Sambo died in 1736 in the old brewery, which still stands on the corner of the pathway that leads to his grave. Sambo's Grave on the unconsecrated (as he was not a Christian) and windswept shoreline of Morecambe Bay is still a local tourist attraction today. The grave almost always bears flowers or stones painted by local children.{{cite web|url=http://www.acmelogos.co.uk/pandora-sambos-grave.htm|title=Sambo's grave at Sunderland point.|last=Anon|year=2007|work=Pandora's box|publisher=Little Frank|accessdate=30 August 2010}}

Along the quay at Sunderland Point are a number of late 17th-century and Georgian dwellings which are well protected against the weather, one of which is a former hostelry.Villages by the Sea: Sunderland Point, BBC2, 2 April 2020. There is also an early 18th-century gatepier on the quay that Pevsner thought worthy of note. The hamlet was featured in the TV drama The Ruby in the Smoke with Billie Piper and Julie Walters in December 2006.{{cite web|url=https://m.imdb.com/title/tt1587299/locations/|title=The Ruby in the Smoke|publisher=IMDB|access-date=16 October 2023}}

Many properties at Sunderland Point suffer regular flooding, with individual properties made resilient to the effects.{{citation|url=http://nds.coi.gov.uk/content/detail.asp?NewsAreaID=2&ReleaseID=294029|archive-url=https://archive.today/20110807135456/http://nds.coi.gov.uk/content/detail.asp?NewsAreaID=2&ReleaseID=294029|url-status=dead|archive-date=7 August 2011|title=Flood resilience pilot areas announced|date=22 June 2007|publisher=Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs|id=Defra/NW/026/07|access-date=2008-05-18}}

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{{wide image|Sunderland Point 239-26.jpg|2000px|Sunderland Point, the tip of the peninsula, is on the left. Sunderland village is centre and right. (Scroll to see whole image.)}}

File:Sunderland Point, from south.jpg|Sunderland from the south

File:Sunderland, Lancashire.jpg|Sunderland view

File:River Lune, at Sunderland Point.jpg|River Lune at Sunderland Point, looking towards Glasson Dock on opposite river bank

File:Sambo's Grave, Sunderland Point - geograph.org.uk - 1076826.jpg|Sambo's Grave, west of the village

File:Sunderland point signs in snow.jpg|Sunderland point signs in snow

File:Horizon Line Chamber.jpg|Horizon Line Chamber by Chris Drury, to the west of the village

File:Ray Schofield sculpture, Sunderland Point.jpg|Sculpture by Ray Schofield on the wharf at Sunderland Point

{{Portal|Lancashire}}

• Listed buildings in Overton, Lancashire

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{{City of Lancaster geography}}

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Category:Villages in Lancashire

Category:Geography of the City of Lancaster

Category:Grade II listed buildings in Lancashire

Category:Populated coastal places in Lancashire

Category:Morecambe Bay