Winners unveiled in Sunderland's blossom photography competition
9 July, 2026
The winners of a city-wide blossom photography competition have been revealed, showcasing the beauty of Sunderland's spring in full bloom.
Launched on Monday 6 April 2026, the competition attracted over 50 entries from residents of all ages, each capturing the seasonal blossom across Sunderland in creative and unique ways.
The two winning photographs and three finalists' images are now on display at Washington Old Hall, which is managed by the National Trust, offering visitors the chance to enjoy a vibrant collection of images celebrating nature, heritage and the local landscape.
The competition was part of Sunderland City Council's first Blossom Campaign which ties in with the National Trust's longstanding blossom celebration. The campaign was created to encourage people to explore green spaces and take a moment to appreciate the short-lived beauty of blossom season. Entries featured a variety of scenes, from city streets lined with trees to quiet parks and hidden corners of the community.
The standard of submissions was described as exceptionally high, making the judging process a challenging one. The selected winners, which were unveiled by the Deputy Mayor on Friday 26 June at Washington Old Hall, stood out for their creativity, composition and ability to capture the spirit of spring.
Councillor Jannine Morrow, Deputy Mayor of Sunderland, said: "'It was a pleasure to see some of the submissions at the ceremony, so many people took part in this competition to capture Sunderland at such a beautiful time of year. The quality of entries has been outstanding, and the winning photographs really highlight the natural beauty we have across our city. I'd encourage as many people as possible to visit Washington Old Hall and see the exhibition for themselves."
Theresa Elliott, Project Officer at the National Trust said: "We're delighted to host this exhibition and showcase the creativity of local photographers. The North East Festival of Blossom is designed to encourage and celebrate our connection with nature, and these images perfectly capture a sense of renewal and this connection. It's a wonderful way to bring the community together in this historic setting."
Isabelle Haddrick, winner of the under 18 category, said: "I was ecstatic to find out the photograph of my lovely pet dog Lola and the wonderful cherry blossoms would be on display in the amazing gardens of such an historic and beautiful place for all to see and enjoy. It is a real honour."
The winner from the over 18 Category Alex Quigg said: "I feel incredibly proud to have my photograph displayed at Washington Old Hall as it is such a beautiful location. Capturing this photograph at the perfect moment was really special, and I am happy that others can now enjoy it too. The competition was a wonderful way to celebrate nature in our local area and I am very honoured to have my work recognised alongside many other fantastic photographs that showcase the beauty of our local wildlife."
Residents and visitors who attended the annual July 4th celebrations at Washington Old Hall on Saturday also had the opportunity to see the photographs in the gardens.
The exhibition at Washington Old Hall will be open to the public for visitors to enjoy the winning images and celebrate the talent of local photographers until September. The exhibition will then move to the Community Garden at Mowbray Park.
Residents are also invited to have their say on Nature in Sunderland and share their views by completing the Connecting Through Nature survey: https://sunderlandcitycouncil.info/nature
