Middlesbrough stands on the south side of the River Tees in The North-East of England.  In 1818 Middlesbrough had a population of just 40. With the advent of the railway and the iron works founded by Bolckow and Vaughan the population rapidly grew. In 1853 Middlesbrough was made a municipal Authority. It became a major centre for steel with Dorman Long, and chemicals with ICI. The River Tees was a major shipbuilding area. In the early decades the town, being based near the industrial sites, was dirty. Due to anti-pollution measures and in recent time the decline of heavy industry, it has improved vastly, so much so that it was voted Environment City in the late 80's and has collected several awards for Britain in Bloom and on one occasion won it. The portsfortunes change from decade to decade, although shipbuilding stopped at Middlesbrough, it continued its connection with the building of oil platforms for the North Sea oil field is one of the busiest in the country.

Middlesbrough has two major landmarks. The Transporter Bridge (left) spans the Tees between Port Clarence on the North bank and Middlesbrough on the South bank. The bridge consists of two towers and a travelling platform. The platform is capable of carrying pedestrians and cars.  Commercial vehicles used to use it until the size of vehicles became too big.. The height of the top span allows the larger ships to travel the river without hindrance.

The second bridge, Newport Bridge (left), is situated a few miles further inland. The bridge allows vehicles and pedestrians to cross the river and consists of a road platform which lifts allowing river traffic to pass.  The bridge was raised using electric motors.  In recent years traffic on this part of the river has been reduced to nil and so the bridge is no longer required to be raised.

The main road, Linthorpe Road, runs in a North-South direction and forms a major part of the town shopping area. At the southern end of Linthorpe Road is  Linthorpe, once a village noted for its clay pits and potteries but now an integral part of Middlesbrough.  At the north end is the town centre and the railway station. Much of the architecture of Middlesbrough centre is Victorian.

Middlesbrough has several attractions in and around the town, these include the Albert Park (left), the Dorman Museum (right) which in 2001 was extended and refurbished. To the south of the town is Stewart Park .

The town centre is undergoing continuous redevelopment much of it shopping and leisure facilities.  Where once stood terraced houses from the industrial days, now stands a new Law Court complex and a scenic mall (left). The town is now a mixture of Victorian and modern architecture. The law courts being a fine example of modern styling. The area behind the law courts is a lanscaped area with a large lake and water features.

Middlesbrough like many large towns has grown and incorporated small villages into its body. Acklam   is one of these villages.  Acklam is the the site of the Acklam Hall built by William Hustler around 1680 (left).  Acklam is mentioned in the Domesday Book.

Like most properties of its day the Hall was surrounded by gardens ornamental and functional.  A large tract of land known today as the Avenue of trees, which is documented as being in existence aound 1700.  forms a frontage to the Hall.

Copyright John Sylvester (C) 2001-2005