|
With its wealth of heritage
and areas of unspoilt beauty Teesside (this area was previously
known as Cleveland and to some it will always remain so) has become
a popular destination for visitors. Along its thirty miles of
coastline visitors can enjoy a mixture of popular holiday resorts,
peaceful fishing villages and secluded coastal walks. Further
inland areas of wooded countryside, barren heath and picturesque
villages lie between the larger industrial conurbations. These
areas of heavy industry have become attractions in their own right,
as the impact of the iron and steel industries have been keenly
recorded in many innovative new attractions and museums.
It was the advent of the
railways, and in particular the Stockton to Darlington line built
in 1825, which heralded a new prosperity for the local population
after years of subsistence farming and fishing. It brought with
it the lucrative iron, steel and related industries and although
much of this heavy industry has long since disappeared its importance
to the region is still evident.
More recently Teesside
has been targeted as an area for redevelopment. Many of the new
building projects capitalize on the region's rich industrial heritage,
often converting derelict land into more prosperous commercial
and domestic sites. Hartlepool, which has over the years seen
the disappearance of its ship building industry, has been one
such area of new investment. The conversion of the old port into
a massive new marina development, known as "Jackson Landing",
has brought many new jobs and much needed business back into the
area. It is based on the American style of factory shopping mall,
and combines shops and restaurants with first class boating berths.
Maritime activities have
always been an important part of the region's life. Indeed, it
was in the village of Great Ayton that the future Captain Cook
spent his childhood. At 17 he found work in the fishing village
of Staithes before going on to become one of the greatest explorers
in British history. Visitors can take now enjoy a 70 mile circular
drive - "the Captain Cook Country Tour" which takes
them through many parts of Teesside and on to Whitby from where
Cook made his famous sea voyages.
The number and variety
of places to visit within Teesside is overwhelming. In addition
to the visitor centres, museums and galleries, the Hartlepool
Nuclear Electric Power Station offers tourists a glimpse at the
ultimate in modern technology. This juxtaposition of old and new
within Teesside makes this one of the most fascinating areas to
visit in Britain.
|