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Stockton-on-Tees

Stockton-on-Tees found fame with the opening of the Stockton to Darlington railway in 1825, constructed so that coal from the mines of South Durham could have access to the Tees, where it would be shipped south to London. The opening of the railways encouraged the growth of industry, and the subsequent discovery of ironstone in the Cleveland Hills in the 1850s was to transform the fortunes of the town, providing considerable wealth for many of its citizens.

In the centre of Stockton’s High Street are the Old Town Hall and market cross dating from the mid 18th century, and in Theatre Yard off the High Street is the Green Dragon Museum, set in a former sweet factory warehouse. This lively museum features displays of local history and an excellent photographic gallery.

Stockton’s redbrick parish church was completed in 1713 and is one of only a handful of Anglican churches in England without a dedication. Its official title is The Parish Church of Stockton-on-Tees, though for many years it has been informally called St Thomas’s. This unofficial dedication came from a chapel of ease that stood on the
site when Stockton was a part of the parish of Norton.

Captain James Cook is said to have served the early part of his apprenticeship in Stockton. A full-size replica of his ship, HM Bark Endeavour is moored at Castlegate Quay on Stockton’s riverside. Alongside is the Teesside Princess, a river cruiser that takes visitors on a pleasure trip as far inland as Yar

Preston Hall Museum, set in 110 acres of parkland to the south of the town on the banks of the Tees, is housed in the former home of the local shipbuilder Robert Ropner. Exhibits describe how life was lived in the area at the time the Hall was built in 1825. There is a re-created period street, a fully furnished drawing room of the 1820s and a collection of arms and armoury in the cellar. The museum’s most famous exhibit is The Diceplayers, painted by Georges de la Tour in the 17th century. As we went to press in spring 2011, the museum was under restoration.

Stockton may no longer be a busy port, but in recent years there has been a lot of development along the banks of the Tees. The spectacular Tees Barrage, built to stop the flow of chemical waste being carried upstream, has transformed an 11-mile stretch of the river.