10 things we love about England's Teesside

21.07.2023 - 07:55 / roughguides.com / Grayson Perry / Tracey Emin

What image does the word “Teesside” conjure up? A stark landscape where heavy industry meets the wind-whipped North Sea coast, perhaps? While this stereotype certainly forms part of Teesside’s character, there’s so much more to the intriguing northeast region than meets the eye.

Behind every gnarledrelic of the bygone steel and coal industries, lurks something delightfully unexpected… Who would have thought that the small University town of Middlesbrough would possess a world-class public art gallery and designer boutiques? Or that it’s only a short drive to theNorth York Moors and quaint seaside towns? To help you start exploring this surprising region, we reveal our top tips for things to do in Teesside from the Mini Rough Guide to Teesside:

The symbol of Middlesbrough’s industrial heritage, this 102-year-old steel bridge is the longest of its kind remaining in the world. It featured in the successful British TV comedy Auf Wiedersehen, Pet (1983–2004). You can admire its striking profile from afar or cross the bridge over the river Tees by foot or car in a gondola suspended beneath it.

© A G Baxter/Shutterstock

Don’t miss the Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art, one of the UK’s leading contemporary art galleries. The impressive glass building – designed by Dutch architect Erick van Egeraat in 2007 – has housed innovative exhibitions by world-renowned artists, such as Tracey Emin, Grayson Perry, Bridget Riley and local artist William Tillyer.

Temenos, a gigantic modern sculpture by Anish Kapoor, towers beside the regenerated Middlesbrough Dock and forms part of an impressive sculpture trail around the town. Not to be outdone by its neighbour, nearby Darlington also has a major piece of public art – David Mach’s 1997 brick sculpture Traincommemorating the town’s contribution to the railways.

Midway between Stockton and Middlesbrough, this mighty feat of engineering was designed to prevent flooding in the Tees Valley. The barrage itself is fascinating to walk around but if you’re a water sports fan then the adjacent Tees Barrage International White Water Centre is a must.

Roseberry Topping, a distinctive peak known as the “mini Matterhorn”, is a mere 30-minute drive south of Middlesbrough. From the top, there are wonderful views right across the heathery moorland. In and around the National Park, be sure to visit stunning Rievaulx Abbey and the Hole of Horcum – a huge natural amphitheatre that is about a kilometre wide and 122m deep.

Rievaulx Abbey © GrahamMoore999/Shutterstock

Just outside Middlesbrough, the Captain Cook Birthplace Museum in Stewart Park tells the story of one of the world’s most famous navigators and mariners. Cook grew up in the pretty village of Great Ayton on the edge of the North