This year will be an incredibly important one for the Tees Valley and County Durham thanks to the celebrations and events taking place surrounding the 200th anniversary of the Stockton & Darlington Railway.
Rightfully so, many of the region’s heritage attractions and organisations linked to the railway are planning exhibitions and events.
However, there are also many other heritage attractions across the region which are worth visiting in their own right in 2025.
This year, why not make a visit to one of these heritage attractions in Teesside and surrounding areas?
Preston Park Museum
With its new exhibition space set to open in Spring 2025, Preston Park Museum in Eaglescliffe, near Stockton, is set to enter one of its most important years.
The new space will allow touring exhibitions and events, plus more of the museum’s vast collection of objects, to be displayed.
Plus, as one of the main sites of the Stockton & Darlington Railway (it ran through the grounds, with earthworks still visible), Preston Park Museum is set to capitalise on this in 2025 with a range of special events.
Hopetown Darlington
Previously known as Head of Steam, Hopetown is the reimagined and much grown railway heritage museum at the heart of Darlington.
In fact, it is located in the original North Road Station (still active), and displays many heritage locomotives and carriages built in the town, or which ran on the Stockton & Darlington Railway.
It now incorporates the locomotive works, as well as more refurbished buildings and children’s play areas.
Hopetown will be the centre of many of the Stockton & Darlington Railway 200th anniversary events in 2025, so keep an eye out for reasons to visit throughout the year.
Yarm Town Hall
In 2024 Yarm’s historic Town Hall, sat squarely in the middle of the wide High Street, was refurbished and turned into a display space for heritage exhibitions.
This is free to visit, and the display was recently changed to show historic drawings of buildings on the High Street. It’s worth a visit to see what’s new.
Locomotion Shildon
Locomotion No. 1 at Shildon
Just to the west of our patch is the National Railway Museum’s Locomotion branch at Shildon.
This historic railway town is also, naturally, making the most of the railway celebrations this year – especially since it was the location of the start of Locomotion No. 1’s journey to Stockton.
As well as the usual collection of heritage railway engines and carriages, the museum is running many special events in 2025.
Winkie’s Castle, Marske
Marske’s own Winkie’s Castle is a unique folk museum located in one of the oldest cottages in the town (450 years old!).
It displays all sorts of artefacts and displays relating to the region’s history, including Captain Cook.
The museum was recently renovated, so it’s worth visiting in 2025.
Saltburn Cliff Lift
Not a museum as such, Saltburn’s Cliff Lift was recently reopened following damage by a fire in 2024.
The tireless volunteers work very hard to keep this original tramway – the oldest water-balance cliff funicular in the country – working to transport visitors from the town to the pier and beach.
Captain Cook Birthplace Museum
Located in Stewart Park, close to the site of James Cook’s birthplace cottage in the original village of Marton (near Middlesbrough), this museum is dedicated to his life and travels.
The museum has undergone recent periods of trial, with its future uncertain even now. This makes 2025 a vital time to visit, give it your custom and support, and learn about one of the region’s most famous sons, and one of the world’s greatest navigators.
Land of Iron Cleveland Ironstone Mining Museum
Another of Teesside’s great museums which has recently been renovated. Now renamed Land of Iron, this museum occupies the site of the first ironstone mine in Cleveland.
Visitors can learn of the history of the ironstone mining industry in the area, which is hugely responsible for the growth of Teesside, through interactive displays and more. They can even journey into the darkness of the drift tunnel itself.
Globe Theatre, Stockton
Stockton’s iconic Globe Theatre reopened in 2021 after years of neglect and standing derelict.
The Grade II listed structure has been faithfully refurbished to preserve the Art Deco interior and architecture, whilst also providing a modern, fit-for-purpose entertainment venue.
History fans can sit in the original auditorium where many famous acts appeared since its opening in 1935, and enjoy today’s biggest acts in music, theatre and comedy.
Ormesby Hall
A Teesside classic. Ormesby Hall is a Grade 1 listed National Trust property set in extensive grounds on the outskirts of Middlesbrough, and makes a great day out for the family.
Visit the large house, once home to the Pennyman family, plus the outbuildings, stables block and model railway. There’s a tea room and lovely gardens.
Dorman Museum and Teesside Archives
The Dorman Museum is Middlesbrough’s premier museum of local history. It underwent refurbishment in 2024 and remains one of the best places to learn of the town’s history.
A few years ago Teesside Archives moved to the museum, making it doubly important as a site for learning about the history of the area. You can visit the Archives and sample the books and documents on display, or order items from the archive for your own research or perusal.
Which of these have you visited? Which is your favourite? Are there any others that you would add to the list? Leave a comment below!