Maritime and Rail Trail

Travel and discovery are at the heart of North East England’s history and Tees Valley is an area particularly rich with maritime and rail heritage.

The Captain Cook Birthplace Museum is great for learning about the adventures of Tees Valley’s most famous son, James Cook. Find out what life was like for Cook and his men aboard Stockton’s HM Bark Endeavour – a full-size replica of Cook’s incredible ship. The naval theme continues over at Hartlepool’s Maritime Experience, an 18th century seaport where characters reenact historical scenes. The marina is also home to HMS Trincomalee, built almost 200 years ago this is Britain’s oldest warship still afloat.

As well as these seafaring connections, Tees Valley has a strong rail history.

Start discovering our rail heritage in the charming market town of Yarm, where in the George and Dragon Hotel on 12th February 1821 a meeting was held to progress the plans for the world’s first passenger railway. The town’s 1851 viaduct is a striking monument to the area’s history of steam.

Key moments in the history of the railway are celebrated in three dedicated museums: The Head of Steam (Darlington Railway Museum) is home to George Stephenson’s Locomotion No.1, while the Saltburn Miniature Railway is a must for anyone who wants to ride a thrilling mini-train. And, a little further north in County Durham, is Locomotion: The National Railway Museum.

A number of disused railway lines have now been transformed into walking and cycling routes that let you enjoy some of the area’s countryside, such as the Wynyard Woodland Park cycle route, which was originally a working railway carrying freight along the River Tees.