Middlesbrough City guide, including Middlesbrough Hotels
- By:Maria Williams Williams
Middlesbrough is situated on the south bank of the River Tees. It has a
long industrial heritage with the coal and iron industries using the
river to transport materials, and the shipyards based on the River
Tees. The factories and processing plants are still there today. It
also has four shopping centres and all the facilities you would expect
with a population of about 200,000.
Places of interest:
Middlesbrough is famous for being the birth place of Captain Cook and
celebrates this with an award winning museum. Other museums relating to
Middlesbrough’s history sit comfortably alongside art galleries and the
unique Nature’s World to give visitors a wide selection of places to
visit. There is also the Middlesbrough Theatre, an Art Gallery, and a
multiplex cinema at Teeside Park.
- Nature's World is a unique visitor attraction, extending to over 25
acres, provides a model for a balanced and sustainable future.
Attractions include a traditional composting and organic gardens, a
400m long working River Tees model and a futuristic eco-structure and
hydroponicum.
- Captain Cook's Birthplace Museum is close to where he was born in
1728. It is an award winning museum showing the life of Captain James
Cook and his voyages of discovery. It also houses interactive displays
and exciting audio-visual presentations, hands-on experiences,
exhibition area, café and gift shop.
- Transporter Bridge Visitor Centre shows Middlesbrough's Industrial
Heritage and the history of this unique bridge. The bridge, opened in
1911, has a middle that acts as a ferry across the Tees.
- Dorman Museum is a refurbished museum displaying the history of
Middlesbrough from the 19th century, a collection of Middlesbrough and
Linthorpe pottery, exhibitions, discovery centre, and cafe.
- Middlesbrough Art Gallery combines an art gallery with exhibitions
by local artists.
Things to do:
Middlesbrough offers an exciting choice of activities for visitors on
day trips or short breaks. Fast gaining a reputation for innovation -
it is witnessing a retail explosion with a myriad of designer shopping
and fashionable boutiques, as well as retaining the traditional English
high street names. In 2005 the town hosted numerous major exciting
events - from the multi cultural Mela to the world renowned Tall Ships
race.
- During the day, Middlesbrough is alive with activity. From the wide
open walkways of our four shopping malls to the more traditional shop
fronts of Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough blends familiar high street
names with the excitement of designer labels and the tradition of
covered markets.
- The Captain Cook country tour takes in the magnificent scenery of
the North Yorkshire moors and coastline, Middlesbrough being the first
port of call in this 70 mile tour.
- Premiership Middlesbrough Football Club offers regular action at
the Riverside stadium to lovers of the beautiful game. Die hard fans
can get a glimpse behind the scenes on a stadium tour.
- Newham Grange Leisure Farm visitor centre tells the story of the
farm from the 17th century to the present day. The farm also has a 19th
century veterinary surgery which gives the visitor an opportunity to
see some of the medicines and equipment used in the 1890s.
Food & Drink:
Middlesbrough’s restaurants feel passionate about quality food and
service. Equipped with most of the essential cuisines to titillate any
taste bud, the area continues to evolve in culinary terms thus
developing into a real multicultural centre for food. A host of pubs in
and around the town centre do a great line in food and drink, and many
now put on their own entertainment as well.
- Etsuko Japanese and Oriental Restaurant is unique to Middlesbrough,
serving a vast choice of freshly cooked oriental dishes. It has a semi
open kitchen that adds to the overall contemporary feel of the
restaurant, where the layout lends itself to a very sociable and
distinctly oriental dining experience and atmosphere.
- La Terrasse restaurant has a Parisian theme, with an emphasis on
quality seafood dishes. The restaurant has an award for the quality and
standard of cuisine and service. The cosmopolitan style brasserie
serves tempting traditional food with a local perspective alongside the
ever-popular carvery.
- The White Room exudes a calming and relaxing atmosphere – the
perfect conditions for an enjoyable meal for two or for a special group