Plan The Perfect Weekend in Teesside
Middlesbrough, Stockton and Norton celebrate history, culture and artisan producers
Middlesbrough
Its bridges and football club might be the talk of this town, but there’s plenty more to see and do here
Eat
Off the Ground is a great place for a cuppa and brunch, as is Café Etch. Baker Street Kitchen is a popular spot for comfort food, Alkaline Kitchen is a great health café and The Nuthatch is an award-winning cocktail bar. For pizza and steak try Panuozzos and for modern Japanese cuisine, Umi Japanese Bar and Restaurant is the place to be.Not far from the town centre, we love The Burlam Bear for hearty meals, good coffee and even better cocktails.
Sleep
Gisborough Hall is a charming Victorian country house hotel with 71 traditionally-designed rooms offering comfort and luxury in equal measure. It has shepherd's huts too!. Want to get back to nature? Baby Moon offer cool glamping nests to rest your head, whilst Host & Stay’s Sandling Court is a bright and welcoming home from home.
Browse
The Middlesbrough Charles Clinkard store was the company’s very first shop. It opened in 1924, and was initially managed by Charles and Eveline Clinkard themselves – now it’s a go-to for the best shoes. Market Cross Jewellers’ flagship Middlesbrough store offers luxury brands including Omega, TUDOR and Gucci watches. Elsewhere, browse designer clothes at Triads and Flannels, and Dundas Shopping Centre is home to Middlesbrough town centre’s indoor market.
DON’T MISS
To really get to know Middlesbrough, see the best local art at MIMA and The Auxiliary, visit the Dorman Museum to learn about the town’s pre-industrial past and see the best local performers at the Town Hall and Theatre. Elsewhere, let the kids run free at Newham Grange Farm and Teessaurus Park – a 10-acre urban sculpture park.
Stockton & Norton
This Teesside town and its neighbouring village celebrate history, culture and artisan producers
Eat
Try an award-winning parmo at Borge and you won’t be disappointed, head to Carpaccio for Italian comfort food and steak, or try The Waiting Room – an award-winning, all natural vegetarian and vegan restaurant. In Norton, Café Lilli is a popular choice on the High Street, Elif is an underground Turkish restaurant located on the green, The Scruffy Duck is great place for pub-grub (it’s dog-friendly and has a great terrace), and The Open Jar plates up hefty portions and serves good cocktails.
Sleep
There are four self-catering cottages located within the grand grounds of Wynyard Hall, surrounded by private parkland, while The Parkmore Hotel is a tastefully transformed Victorian house with its own spa.
Browse
At Portrack Lane, At Home Furnishings and Portrack Lighting Centre have plenty of inspo for your home from the coolest ceiling and wall lights and lamps to the best in furniture and wall art. In the town centre, Wags & Whiskers is the place to be for treats for your four-legged friends (and they even have a canine café) and you can find your next read at Drake The Bookshop. In Norton, Wild The Plant Shop stocks exotic and exciting houseplants, The Green Florist sells beautiful bouquets and Choco-Latte is the place to be for luxury chocolate and ice cream. Bluecorn Bakery, Blackwells and Blondie Bakery are the best places to stock up on treats and essentials.
DON'T MISS
Stockton Globe and ARC Stockton Arts Centre host the best shows as well as fun workshops, and Tees Barrage is the place to be for outdoor adventure (think canoeing, kayaking and white water rafting). And you need to head along to Preston Park to visit Butterfly World – a tropical rainforest hothouse home to butterfly species, reptiles and meerkats.
