Middlesbrough is a large town in North Yorkshire, England and is the principal location in the borough of Middlesbrough. Middlesbrough is situated on the south bank of the River Tees, a few miles from the edge of the North York Moors National Park.
North East of Middlesbrough, the Tees estuary with its colony of breeding seals, has extensive sandy beaches in both directions. Some 7000 salmon and 13,000 sea trout migrated upstream through the estuary in 2000. Saltburn boasts some of the best and most challenging surf in Britain, and beyond, sheer cliffs rise to Boulby Head, the highest point on the east coast of England.

Attractions

Long-awaited flagship art gallery project, the Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art is taking shape and is poised to open in Winter 2006. Its considerable arts and crafts collections span from 1900 to the present day. Surrounding it is the town's overhauled Victoria Square and Central Gardens, in tandem producing "the largest civic space in Europe".
Middlesbrough can boast two major recreational park spaces in Albert Park and Stewart Park, Marton. Originally dubbed in its conception as 'The People's Park' and donated to the town by Bolckow in 1866, to be formally opened by Prince Arthur, youngest son of the monarch, on 11 August 1868, the former comprises of a 30 hectare (70 acre) site accessible from Linthorpe Road. It underwent a considerable period of restoration from 2001 to 2004, during which a number of the Park's most vaunted landmarks, including a fountain, bandstand and sundial saw either restoration or revival. Alongside these two respectively are two of the town's premier cultural attractions, the century-old Dorman Memorial Museum and the Captain Cook Birthplace Museum, in close proximity to which is a granite urn marking the spot of the supposed birthplace of the noted explorer.
Newham Grange Leisure farm in Coulby Newham, one of the most southerly districts of the town, has operated continuously in this spot since the 17th century. Now a burgeoning tourist attraction, the chance to view its various cattle, pigs, sheep and other perennial farm animals is complimented by exhibitions of the farming history of the area.
Back in the 'Old Town' or St Hilda's, is the Transporter Bridge Visitor Centre, opened in 2000 and offering its own exhibitions charting the high-octane past of the heart of the surrounding industrial powerhouse, as well as that of the singular structure it commemorates.