Customs House

This fine Greek revival style building was completed in 1837. On 29th October 1838, it was the location for a reception and banquet in honour of the Duke of Sussex (Queen Victoria's uncle) who was the town's first royal visitor. As well as the public exchange rooms where merchants and businessmen in the town could meet, there were private offices and a hotel. Financially the exchange was not a great success, experiencing difficulty in letting the offices because of the high cost of heating them. In 1853, when Middlesbrough Council was formed, the Old Town Hall was found to be too small and the new council bought the exchange which became known as the Corporation Hall. In 1886, the Corporation Hall was purchased by customs and excise and became the Middlesbrough Custom House until quite recently.

The Town Hall

This impressive neo-Gothic building, part of Middlesbrough's municipal buildings complex, was officially opened in 1889 by the then Prince and Princess of Wales after a six year building programme costing £130,000. The building's town centre location has made it a part of everyday life in Middlesbrough since its opening over 100 years ago.

Today the Town Hall is one of the region's leading performance spaces. Few venues can match the magnificence of the main concert halls interior with its wood paneling, hammer beams, stained glass, and its centre piece - an impressive Victorian organ. The Town Hall is well known for its acoustic and ambience and its versatility is reflected in a wide ranging arts and entertainment programme.

Transporter Bridge

This masterpiece of engineering is the only bridge of its type still operating in Britain and probably the world. It dates back to the days of the tall ships and was designed to allow the masts of large sailing ships to pass underneath.

The shortage of space in the rowing boots used as ferries led to ugly scenes amongst the passengers and the police had to attend ferry departures to avoid the boat being swamped. These cobbles were followed by a steam ferry that carried 139 passengers but this was still not enough.

The Transporter Bridge is capable of carrying 600 people and 6 cars. It was opened in 1911 by the Duke of Connaught. In 1913 the cost for a car, driver and passengers was 4d. You could save a penny by climbing 140 feet and walking across the footway which has since been closed.

Middlesbrough Theatre

Middlesbrough's 'Little Theatre' was opened by Sir John Gielgud in 1957 as the first theatre to be built after World War Two. It was originally owned and run by the local amateur dramatic society 'Middlesbrough Little Theatre Ltd' who still have close links with the venue. The theatre has been managed by Middlesbrough Borough Council Cultural Services since 1974.

The theatre provides a wide programme of professional and amateur productions as part of the council's extensive arts policy. It also hosts Teesside music society's annual chamber music series, and a variety of popular music and entertainment events. The scope of this programme and the recently refurbished auditoriums seating capacity make the theatre one of the region's leading midscale touring venues.

Newham Grange Leisure Farm

In 1539 Henry Vlll`s dissolution of Whitby Abbey gave the land to the crown, and in 1580 a 400 year old association started with the first tenant farmer Nathaniel Hopper. At least twenty generations of the Hopper family lived at Newham Grange and their experiences reflect the amazing changes in farming over that time. They became owners in 1809, and the last of the line, Albert Hopper, sold the farm to Middlesbrough council in 1976.

Before 1976 it was a 22 acre farm, but when the Teesside Parkway dual-carriageway (A174) was built it cut the farm in two. With no bridge over the Parkway, cattle and machinery had to be taken via Viewly Hill roundabout and the Blue Bell Inn to get to the other half on Ladgate Lane.

Today the farm is one of the rare breed survival trusts "Approved Farm Parks" and is open to the public throughout the year. A mention in the Doomsday Book of 1086 AD supports the belief that the land around Newham Grange has been farmed for over 900 years.

The Empire

The Empire Palace of Varieties was opened on 13th of March 1899 by the Mayor of Middlesbrough - Councillor 'T.W Keay'. The building had taken almost two years to erect, the plans of the local architect Ernest Runz being passed by Middlesbrough council on the 26th April 1897.

The Empire could seat 1,440 people and had, in addition, six private boxes. Many stars appeared at the theatre over the years: Vesta Tilley, Gracie Fields, Marie Lloyd as well as Charlie Chaplain and Stan Laurel.

In the twentieth century interest in music hall declined and in 1964 the theatre was sold to Mecca and was used as a bingo hall for nearly 30 years. Today the Empire is privately owned and is one of the region's leading night clubs and, as in its early days, is a popular music based entertainment venue.

Captain Cook Birthplace Museum

This award-winning museum opened in 1978 to coincide with the 250th anniversary of Cook's birth. The museum stands just yards from the site of the cottage where Cook was born in 1728. It preserves and displays this unique part of our national and international heritage and covers all aspects of the famous explorer's life.

The museum has won the Sir Mark Henig award for tourism enterprise, a Civic Trust award for architecture and an English tourism award for outstanding facilities for disabled visitors.

It is part of the Captain Cook heritage trail that visits historic houses, monuments, museums and galleries linked to the life of one of Yorkshire's famous sons.

Centre North East (ex-Corporation House)

Middlesbrough's tallest building was erected in 1974 by Star Northern Developments limited. The building takes its name from the Corporation Hotel which was previously located on the site.

The hotel was one of Middlesbrough's finest and many of the famous performers who appeared at the Empire Theatre stayed there.

Centre North East stands 60 metres high and has 17 floors that are mainly used for offices and a major UK Call Centre company. From the top of the building there are magnificent views of the surrounding area stretching as far as the coast.

Exploring Middlesbrough Heritage Landmarks and Buildings

A large number of these buildings have been included in the Heritage Open Days programme, the national celebration of England's architectural heritage and Middlesbrough's own celebration, Discover Middlesbrough.

These events aim to stimulate public awareness of the town's heritage by providing free access to properties with an architectural or cultural significance.