Middlesbrough offers a handful of hidden gems and green spaces within the town as well as a myriad of exciting attractions just short drives from our Middlesbrough base. Whether visiting the iconic town landmark – Tees Transporter Bridge – or heading further afield to the coastline or North York Moors only 15 minutes drive away with beautiful countryside and small market towns, there’s plenty for you to discover in Middlesbrough – browse below our Middlesbrough guide.
Best Restaurant: Turtle Bay offers a delicious Caribbean eating and drinking menu. Located within a 2 minute walk from the hotel.
Best Shopping: Baker Street offers a colourful selection of independent shops, cafes, beauty salons, and more.
Best Kept Secret: Public Art - Middlesbrough is bursting with an eclectic mix of sculpture and art across the city.
Dorman Museum
Offering eight themed display galleries, the Dorman Museum houses collections of natural history, geology social history, world culture, Victorian arts and crafts, and more, all ‘celebrating Middlesbrough’s heritage’. The museum is also home to two changing exhibition spaces – take a look at what’s on. There is also the ‘Dresser’s Tea Room’ for those wishing to grab a bite to eat or drink, and a museum shop to pick up a souvenir.
The Dorman Museum offers free entry and is open 9.30am -4.30pm Tuesday to Sunday. Situated next to Albert Park, the museum is a leisurely twenty-two minute walk from our hotel.
Captain Cook Birthplace Museum
Travel on a journey of the seven seas as you learn about the iconic life of Captain Cook, navigator, explorer, cartographer, and mariner. Explore themed display galleries Captain Cook Birthplace Museum and peruse the collections of world culture artefacts, Cook’s personal items, replica voyage materials, and more. The museum also runs temporary exhibitions as well as a range of events.
Situated next to Stewart Park, Captain Cook Birthplace Museum is a short ten-minute drive from our Middlesbrough hotel. Check the website for details about seasonal closures.
Tees Transporter Bridge
An iconic symbol of the area, the Tees Transporter Bridge is one of only three transporter bridges still in existence in Britain today. The awe-inspiring bridge totals 851 feet (259.3m) in length, appears as two independent structures meeting in the middle of the River Tees, and is one of very few (under eleven) working transporter bridges. The structure was awarded the Institution of Mechanical Engineers' highest honour, The Heritage Plaque for engineering excellence, and it has been named a Grade II listed building.
Learn about the bridge and its history with the Full Tour (£4) or simply enjoy a ride across the River Tees with a ‘Pedestrian and Bicycles’ ticket, costing just 60p. There are a range of activities to do at the Tees Transporter Bridge – you can abseil for just £3, partake in a bungee jump or zip line ride – for the latter two you will need to call ahead.
The bridge has very specific operating hours Monday to Saturday and is closed on Sundays – check the opening times before planning a visit. The Tees Transporter Bridge is a leisurely fifteen-minute walk from Leonardo Hotel Middlesbrough.
Roseberry Topping
An iconic landmark of the Tees Valley area, Roseberry Topping is a uniquely shaped viewpoint just a short drive from Middlesbrough. The hill reaches 1,049 feet (320m) and can take around half an hour to climb, however the top offers a fantastic 360? view of the North York Moors, Cleveland, and the cities beyond. You can also explore the nearby bluebell woods, heather moorland, Roseberry Common, and an abandoned quarry. National Trust have created a series of downloadable walks and they also run an annual tea party, ‘Tea on the Topping’, at the summit.
Situated on the edge of the North York Moors National Park, Roseberry Topping is a short twenty-minute drive from our Middlesbrough hotel.
RSPB Salthome
One of the best locations to see wildlife in the UK, RSPB Salthome is a large wetlands nature reserve situated just outside Middlesbrough town centre. You can enjoy sightings of a range of wildlife, partake in a guided walk, learn more at the information centre, and relax with a coffee, scone, or home-made dish with a panoramic view over the lake. There’s onsite shop where you can purchase a range of items, from binoculars to bird food.
RSPB Salthome is a brief twelve-minute drive from Leonardo Hotel Middlesbrough.
Ormesby Hall
An impressive classic Georgian mansion, Ormesby Hall offers a peek into the ‘Pennyman family’s intimate 18th century mansion’. Learn the 400 year history of the resident family and their home, explore the Victorian kitchen and laundry, visit the charming model railway exhibition, and stroll the estate walks and landscaped gardens.
Ormesby Hall is open Sundays and Bank Holidays 10am-5pm, but check the opening times calendar before planning your visit. Tickets cost £5.00 for adults and £2.50 for children, and the hall is situated a short ten-minute drive from Leonardo Hotels. It makes for a perfect opportunity to experience shopping in Middlesborough immediately after.
Hemlington Lake & Recreation Centre
Hemlington Lake and Recreation Centre offers 39 acres of open parkland for visitors to explore as well as a range of facilities to enjoy. Stroll the woodland walk and lake, visit the orchard, partake in some fishing, or take the kids to either one of the two play areas! There’s also a skate park, two football pitches, one and a quarter mile jogging circuit, and a ‘kick-about area’.
Hemlington Lake and Recreation centre is a short ten-minute drive outside Middlesbrough.
Teeside Karting
Home to the world’s longest kart circuit, Teeside Karting offers an exciting day out for all ages. The track offers an ‘Arrive and Drive’ option running Wednesday to Sunday where you can turn up for a session, hit the track, and enjoy the experience. There are also a range of race packages for those looking for a challenge, as well as a selection of party packages.
Arrive and Drive for 30 minutes costs £35 for adults and £25 for juniors – minimum age is 8 years but this is ‘subject to assessment’ if junior is under 4ft6”. Check availability for Arrive & Drive as there’s no guarantee of track time. Teeside Karting is a short five-minute drive from our Middlesbrough hotel.
Stewart Park
Spanning approximately 120 acres, Stewart Park is home to mature woodlands and arboretum, two sets of lakes, and plenty of open parkland. There’s a ‘pets corner’ with fallow deer, highland cattle, llamas, and goats, offering the perfect activity for the whole family. In addition to a range of trails available to explore the natural landscape, the park features a children’s play area, outdoor table tennis, and mini golf.
Stewart Park is a brief ten-minute drive from Leonardo Hotel Middlesbrough.
Hillstreet Shopping Centre
Bursting with a range of stores and well-known brands, the Hillstreet Shopping Centre offers visitors the chance to indulge in a relaxing day of retail. With names such as Pandora, Monsoon, New Look, and Clarks, as well as a selection of coffee stops, Hillstreet has something for everyone. The centre is open 9am - 5.30pm Monday-Saturday, opening 10.30am-5pm on Sundays.
Hillstreet Shopping Centre is a short seven-minute walk from our hotel.
Cleveland Centre
Just a five-minute walk from Leonardo Hotel Middlesbrough, the Cleveland Centre is home to a unique mix of over 60 stores, from big brand fashion, such as H&M and Topshop, to health, beauty, food, and more. The centre is open 9am-5.30pm Monday – Saturday, opening 1.30am-4.30pm on Sunday.