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On our doorstep: Things to do around Middlesbrough

We love Middlesbrough, but there's loads of incredible things to do on our doorstep
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We love Middlesbrough – of course we do, it’s the city centre of the Tees Valley.

But we can’t deny that there’s a whole host of beautiful places to visit just beyond Middlesbrough’s borders.

We’ve got a beautiful coastline just a few short miles from the town – the flat promenades and sandy beaches of Redcar or Seaton Carew at opposite sides of Teesmouth, the Victorian splendour of Saltburn and the untouched beauty of Skinningrove or Marske.

If you head south, the dramatic Cleveland Hills are ripe for exploration – and can you claim to be a proper Teessider if you haven’t climbed Roseberry Topping?

The North Yorkshire Moors, quaint market towns like Great Ayton and Stokesley, Whitby – they’re all within a 15 to 45 minutes drive of central Middlesbrough.

Overlooking Whitby Harbour from the 99 steps

Overlooking Whitby Harbour from the 99 steps

Staying in Teesside, and if you’ve got young children, Guisborough Forest and Walkway is a perfect, manageable bite of nature. And if they’re a fan of Julia Donaldson’s book Superworm, little ones can take part in a fun and interactive trail.

Middlesbrough has incredible parks and green spaces, but if you’re travelling further afield there’s lots on offer.

The beautiful Preston Park in Stockton has walks along the Tees, a skate park, play area and museum; Kirkleatham Hall and Museum near Redcar is a popular spot for families, South Park in Darlington is a gorgeous example of a Victorian park.

Summerhill Park is a 100-acre wonder in Hartlepool and is also perfect for a stroll for little ones – but if your children are a bit too old for the swings, it boasts open access facilities for rock climbing, cycling, walking and orienteering.

Teenagers looking for some adventure could try the Air Trail at the Tees Barrage, just up the River Tees at Stockton.

Set over four levels, there’s 38 unique challenges featuring wobbly rope bridges, troublesome tight ropes, crazy cargo nets and swinging stepping stones, all floating high above the Tees.

And if your nerves can take it, there’s world class white water rafting at the Barrage too.

To complete your white knuckle adventure, Teesside Karting at the South Tees Motorsports Park in South Bank – just five minutes from the Riverside Stadium, is also worth trying. It’s home to the world’s longest kart circuit!

Fancy a day out on the town?

Yarm High Street

Yarm High Street

The restaurants, bars and pubs of well-known market town Yarm are always popular with couples and groups of friends – and with footballers and local celebrities too.

Norton village has also earned a reputation as a top notch venue for food and drinks, as has Redcar’s booming Northern Quarter of micro-pubs and cocktail bars and Saltburn’s trendy nightspots.

Sometimes though, all you fancy is browsing the shops. If you’ve shopped until you drop in Middlesbrough town centre, Teesside Park is a huge shopping park just a mile or two along the A66 which is home to some of the biggest names in retail.

Wherever you end up, we’re sure you’ll agree we live in a diverse, beautiful and entertaining region.

Find Things to do on our doorstep