Culture of Middlesbrough. Places to visit - old town, temples, theaters, museums and palaces

Despite the fact that Middlesbrough has the status of a large industrial city, it shouldn't be difficult for its guests to plan a memorable vacation. Much of the historical attractions were destroyed during the Second World War but many structures were subsequently restored. In the very heart of the city is the old Town Hall building, the construction of which took place at the end of the 19th century. The famous architect George Gordon Hoskins worked on the design of the spectacular neo-Gothic monument. Sandstone served as the main material for its construction. Of particular architectural value is the building's richly decorated facade, which has preserved numerous sculptures of various thematic areas. Besides many government offices, the historic Town Hall houses the famous theater where a Victorian organ has been preserved. Classical music performers often give concerts in a hall on the ground floor.

Middlesbrough's unique historical symbol is the Transporter Bridge dating back to 1911. This bridge over the River Tees connects the city to a village on the opposite bank. It features a special design and is considered the most famous bridge in the region. The Transporter Bridge was nicknamed the “Flying Ferry” for its non-standard design. The base of the bridge is a suspended cabin, which carries up to 200 passengers and more than 10 cars from one bank to another. It is noteworthy that such a rare bridge construction doesn't pose a problem for ship traffic. It has a maximum length of 259 meters for bridges of its type. A “flying ferry” ride offering beautiful views of the river banks would be interesting for everyone.

The city has many interesting museums and galleries. Fans of modern art will be happy to explore the Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art. Within its walls, you can discover one of the largest contemporary art collections in the UK. The gallery opened relatively recently, in 2007. Besides exhibition halls, it is equipped with several auditoriums in which lectures and conferences are regularly held. The museum building houses a cozy cafe and a souvenir shop. In the warmer months, visitors can relax on its outdoor rooftop terrace. The main part of the museum’s collection consists of paintings by contemporary British artists. It also presents an interesting collection of ceramics, sculptures, and jewelry. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

In the vicinity of Middlesbrough, there is a unique historical monument, which has miraculously survived the wartime - the Acklam Hall. This mansion built in the 17th century is now a valuable historical object of national importance. Its first owner was a wealthy local resident William Hustler who made his fortune in drapery. The mansion was privately owned until 1928 when it was decided to open a school here.

Now the historic building is under the jurisdiction of a local college. On certain days, it is open for tours. The mansion is notable for the preserved wooden elements of its original decoration. Stucco ceilings have survived in some rooms. In many rooms, the walls are decorated with carved wooden panels. An interesting collection of antiques is hidden within the mansion walls. The historic building is surrounded by a beautiful park, which is of historical value, too. An 800-meter-long old oak alley has been preserved here.

Fans of historical sites would probably be interested in visiting the ruins of the ancient monastery Gisborough Priory in the vicinity of the city. This Augustinian monastery was founded in the first half of the 12th century. A hundred years later, the large-scale monastery building was destroyed by fire. The monastery was subsequently restored, after which it remained operational until 1540. In the mid-16th century, many monasteries in this area were abolished, and Gisborough Priory got empty in a matter of years. The stones from which the Gothic building was built were used by locals for building their own houses. They managed to disassemble a significant part of the building, but some elements of the once majestic monastery survived to the present day. The ruins of the ancient monastery are located in a very picturesque natural area. The best time to visit these places with a tour is warm months.