Elena Leyshon is the Programming and Partnerships Officer for the National Trust at Ormesby Hall and Nunnington Hall, which is based within within the North Yorkshire and Tees Valley portfolio. Here, she tells us about some of her favourite places in the Tees Valley.
My favourite place for a coffee is Hobo in Yarm. They do a wide range of coffee and hot drinks, and their blondies are incredible! Gutsy Girl in Middlesbrough has a really chilled atmosphere, and I love their dirty chai lattes!
The Copperstone Thai restaurant in Linthorpe village or Umi Japanese Restaurant on Linthorpe Road are my favourite places to eat locally. I enjoy going out for food which I couldn’t make myself at home, and both these places fit that brief.
For an evening drink or two, Baker and Bedford Street in Middlesbrough are full of independent pubs and bars, and my favourite one is the Twisted Lip microbrewery. There is often live music on, which really adds to the atmosphere.
Saltburn has a wide selection of gift shops and has now become the place I go to to find unique gifts. The LillianDaph shop is full of unique interior pieces and Chocolinis chocolate shop sells a wide variety of chocolate in fun flavours and shapes.
I would always say Ormesby Hall is my favourite heritage site in the region, but I also like to visit MIMA to browse the artwork when I’m in Middlesbrough town centre. Their gift shop stocks local inspired gifts and is a great place to drop in.
For families, the newly restored Regent Cinema in Redcar has some great family friendly offers and it’s nice to support a local independent cinema rather than a national chain. The novelty of going to a cinema that close to the edge of North Sea never gets old!
I love the view of industrial Middlesbrough from the top of Ormesby Bank. I’m lucky enough to take this route on my way into work most days. I always enjoy a walk up Roseberry Topping – it’s one of the most iconic places in our region, and I love that there is always a new route to find. My favourite is from Captain Cook’s Monument to Roseberry Topping and back.
My perfect day in the Tees Valley would include a visit to RSPB Saltholme. I find it such a relaxing and peaceful place where I can really switch off. I love the contrast of birds and nature against the backdrop of industry and the key landmarks of Middlesbrough, such as the Transporter Bridge. I’d top off the day with fish and chips and a lemon top in Seaton Carew!
The best thing about the Tees Valley is the variety of places on our doorstep. We are spoilt with stunning coastlines and countryside, as well as vibrant town centres and music venues. There’s always a new place to explore or a new independent business to find.