Local Amenities

The famous Zetland Lifeboat housed in its museum

Lifeboat Museum, Esplanade, Redcar
Photograph F Brunskill
Redcar has the oldest surviving lifeboat in the world ‘The Zetland’. She came to Redcar in 1802, and was in service for some 78 years saving over 500 lives. The Zetland is now housed in the Zetland Museum, The Promenade, Redcar. Part of this Museum is a Listed 2 building and once you get inside this museum you get inside a ‘little gem’ of a place. The museum has recently been renovated (and still is all the time) by a willing group of workers sparing their rime free of charge. The upstairs is full of days gone by and hands on up to date items to look at. The donations go to the RNLI and after treating you to days of yesteryear, walk further up the Promenade and see the up to date lifeboats. Come on some Sunday mornings and you could well see the RNLI crew practicing.

The Bridge built with Teesside Steel.
Transporter Bridge. Still in working condition complete with cable car platform carrying cars and pedestrians from one side of the Tees to the other.

Transporter Bridge Middlesbrough
Photograph F Brunskill
The bridge was built in 1911, and opened to the public on 7th, October, 1911. It is a bridge that reflects the industrial heritage of Middlesbrough and the surrounding area with its connections to the steel making. Many bridges have been built within the Teesside steel works, but the Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge is the jewel in the crown for local residents. It towers above the town, and can be seen from vantage points all over the Teesside area. At 850 feet long and 225 feet high, it is the largest bridge of its kind in the world. The distance between the two towers is 580 feet. There are steps at either sides of the towers which allow visitors and pedestrians to cross over the walkway to the other side. It also carries a gondola between the two rowers for use by pedestrians, cars etc, from both sides of the River Tees. For operational times Telephone 01642 247563

Newport Bridge when working letting river traffic through

Newport Bridge Middlesbrough
Photograph F Brunskill
The bridge designed by Mott, Hay & Anderson was built by the well known steel company of Dorman Long Ltd. The building of the bridge started in 1931, and opened by the Duke of York on Wednesday, 28th, February, 1934; and it connected the Middlesbrough Borough with that of the Borough of Stockton-on-Tees. The lifting towers of the bridge like its counterpart The Transporter, are icons on the Teesside skyline, and can be seen near and far. The bridge lifting mechanism was controlled from the small cabin in the centre of the bridge lifting span. It was the first lifting bridge of its kind in Britain, being the largest and heaviest of its kind. In its heyday the bridge required 12 men to control the lifting of the bridge open a shift system 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Some year’s 300 shipping vessels caused the bridge to be lifted to make further passage up the River Tees, some of them as far as Stockton. It was lifted for the last time on Sunday, 18th, November, 1990, after which the bridges was fastened down permanently. It is now a Grade 2 Listed Building. Further information can be obtained by clicking HERE

Just part of the Hartlepool Quay complex.

Hartlepool Historic Quay Museum
Step back in time, in fact to the 18th century. That’s where Hartlepool Historic Quay will tell you the story what life was like then, both ashore, and at sea. Experience the time of Nelson, Napoleon, and the Battle of Trafalgar. The centre piece of this quay and museum is the HMS Trincomalee, the oldest floating warship. The ship over the years has been restored to its former glory (separate fee to board) and you can spend a day here young and old. Refreshments facilities on site. Their address is : Jackson’s Dock, Maritime Avenue, Hartlepool. TS24 0XZ Telephone 01429 860077 Fax 01429 867332. For more information click HERE

Guisborough Abbey.

Guisborough Priory
Church Street, Guisborough. TS14 6HG Telephone 01287 633801.
Founded by the ancestors of Robert the Bruce the old priory is in well manicured grounds, with the nearby St Nicholas Church, which was built on the old site of the original church. The bricks from the priory were used to build the present church, holding the tomb of Robert De Brus. His remains were found in the priory grounds in 1907. The grounds are a pleasure to walk around with remains of the old vaulted brew house, and a renovated in use dovecote. There has been a market in the town for the last 600 years, and outside markets are held on a Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, in the centre of the town on the cobbled parts of the town. The size of these markets depends mostly on the weather and day. Guisborough is rightly called the gateway to the North Yorkshire Moors, as you will see once you drive or walk out of town.

Kirkleatham Museum
(Accreditation. F. Brunskill)

Kirkleatham Old Hall & Museum
Photograph F Brunskill
Kirkleatham Old Hall & Museum, Kirkleatham Road, Redcar. TS10 5NW Telephone 01642 479500. Full details from the web sites below. This museum is stood in well groomed grounds in the village of Kirkleatham on the outskirts of Redcar. It is complete with a picnic area, small playground, and cafe facilities. The museum is subject of many displays from paintings, artifact’s, etc, and on school vacations is a centre of things to do. It is also home to many of the artifact’s from Kirkleatham and Redcar. The Museum’s website can be found by clicking HERE This will take you to the museum section of this is Redcar & Cleveland.

Kirkleatham Owl Centre
Behind the hall you will find the home of the Kirkleatham Owl Centre which is also well worth a visit, with owls in flight at special times of the day, and weather permitting. Contact Kirkleatham Owl Centre. Telephone 01642 480512 or visit their website by clicking HERE

Captain James COOK

The Captain Cook Tour

The first thing to do is vist this brilliant web site Captain Cook . org it is a good place to start if you are visiting for one day or a number of days. If in a motor vehicle you will soon pick up the indication signs. Its is a great way to experience the days of Captain Cook if you start at Stewart’s Park, Middlesbrough, where once stood a bungalow the birthplace of COOK. The foundations were in the North West corner of the park, near to the major crossroad outside the park. In the park is also the Captain Cook Museum. On leaving the park travel South to Great Ayton, and see the school house where James Cook was taught. (tip just further along the street is Suggets Ice Cream) On leaving Great Ayton travel East to the ancient towns of Guisborough and Saltburn. You can then travel on to Staithes, where Captain Cook learnt his early days of seamanship. Finish further down the coast taking in the coastal village of Runswick Bay, and then onto the historic town of Whitby. Now this fishing harbour town is steeped in the history of James Cook. Take a day, take week-end, or take a week, as there is plenty to see and do, if you wish to travel leisurely along the trail.

Cat Nab in the foreground right, Huntcliff prominently displayed, and Boulby the cliff top right in distance on skyline

Huntcliff Saltburn
Photograph F Brunskill
Cleveland Way Walk
For the walkers amongst you this is a must, The Cleveland Way Walk, as it skirts around Saltburn. Every step you take was most likely a step taken in the life of Captain James Cook who covered this area during is earlier years. Always covering this area at the same time, and in fact along the whole of the North East Coast were the smugglers, and the men seeking them, the Excise Men. Whilst you walk, stop, and take in the fabulous views along the cliff walk of the coast line, Tees bay and South towards the North Yorkshire Moors.

Saltburn pier and water lift complete with lighting

It matters not where to start this 109 mile walk. A walk not for the feint hearted, and starts/ends at Helmsley/Filey, North Yorkshire. Please keep to the paths at this stage of the walk.

2013 The Pier and the renovated water powered cable car lift completed with lighting during the hours of darkness.