Five Fantastic Tees Valley Venues For English Tourism Week 2026

This English Tourism Week we’re celebrating five brilliant venues and destinations from across all five of our boroughs well worth a visit this year.

Kirkleatham Museum & Grounds, Redcar and Cleveland

Kirkleatham Museum and Grounds offer one of the Tees Valley’s most varied heritage destinations, where history, green space and community come together. Set within beautiful parkland in Redcar, the museum tells the stories of the people, industries and landscapes which shaped our area.

With buildings dating back to the 17^th century, visitors can explore fascinating exhibitions, discover local heritage, and enjoy the surrounding gardens, woodland walks and open spaces that make the site a favourite place for families, walkers and curious minds. You’ll struggle to see it all in one day!

In 2026, the museum will continue to build on its strong programme of exhibitions and events. Visitors can look forward to seasonal family trails, creative workshops and heritage activities that bring the region’s past to life in engaging ways. The grounds will once again host popular outdoor events across the year, creating opportunities for people to gather, celebrate and enjoy the historic setting together.

Supporting destinations like Kirkleatham Museum matters. Attractions help preserve the stories of our communities while creating welcoming places for residents and visitors to enjoy. By exploring and supporting venues across the Tees Valley people help ensure the region’s heritage, culture and landscape continue to thrive.

MIMA, Middlesbrough

Sitting in the heart of Middlesbrough, MIMA is a welcoming destination where contemporary art meets everyday life. Free to visit and open to everyone, MIMA offers inspiring exhibitions, a beautiful building to explore, and a place to relax, think and spend time together. Whether you’re discovering the gallery for the first time or returning with family and friends, it’s a space where creativity, conversation and community come together.

2026 will be a particularly exciting year, with a programme of exhibitions, events and creative activities for visitors of all ages. The gallery will also host the Turner Prize exhibition, bringing one of the world’s most talked about art prizes to Teesside and placing Middlesbrough firmly on the national cultural map.

The Tees Valley is a brilliant place to visit, full of character, creativity and warm welcomes. Within a short journey you can explore galleries and museums, dramatic coastlines, historic towns and vibrant communities. It’s a region shaped by innovation and industry, and also by creativity, culture and community.

Supporting places like MIMA matters. Cultural destinations help towns thrive. They attract visitors, support local businesses, create opportunities for artists and offer spaces where people can connect, learn and feel proud of where they live. By exploring the region and supporting its cultural venues, visitors help sustain the creativity and variety that make the Tees Valley such a special place to discover

Babuls, Darlington 

English Tourism Week is about celebrating the destinations that give people a reason to visit and Babul’s is proud to be one of them.

Babul’s has been serving the North East for more than 30 years, building a reputation for bold Indian flavours, award-winning hospitality and experiences that feel different. The Darlington restaurant has become a go-to destination for everything from midweek catch ups to big celebrations.

It’s also known for its vibrant Bottomless Brunches, standout interiors and an atmosphere that turns a meal into an occasion. People travel for experiences and we give them something worth travelling for. Whether guests are local, visiting friends or exploring the Tees Valley for the first time, Babul’s is part of their day out.

Darlington and the wider Tees Valley offer incredible variety. Historic towns, beautiful countryside, culture, events and an evolving food scene all within easy reach. You can shop, explore, stay and dine, all in one visit and Babul’s is ready to be the highlight.

When visitors choose Darlington, they choose places that deliver quality and energy. That is what we are proud to bring to the town.

This English Tourism Week, why not make a booking, plan the brunch and experience Babul’s.

National Museum of the Royal Navy, Hartlepool 

The National Museum of the Royal Navy Hartlepool is a truly unique destination, offering visitors the chance to step back in time and experience 18th-century naval life first-hand. At the heart of the site is HMS Trincomalee, the oldest floating warship in Europe, where visitors can explore the decks and discover the stories of the sailors who once lived and worked on board! Alongside the historic ship, visitors can enjoy a range of engaging exhibitions, a welcoming coffee shop, daily displays and talks, and an outdoor play areas for families – all within a site that places community and shared heritage at the centre of everything it does.

In 2026, the Museum is looking forward to a full calendar of family-friendly events, including an Easter trail, summer activities, October half term programme and our much-loved Christmas celebrations featuring Santa’s Grotto. Throughout the year, we continue to bring history to life through interactive workshops, STEM included, hands-on activities through our daily displays and special themed days throughout the year.

Tees Valley is a region full of character, heritage and creativity. From museums to live events, there are a huge variety of experiences within a short distance, making it a fantastic place for both day trips and longer stays.

Supporting destinations like ours is vital. Visitor income helps us preserve historic ships, share local stories and create incredible experiences for our community and visitors from further afield. By choosing to explore locally, people help ensure that the Tees Valley’s rich heritage continues to thrive for generations to come.

The Waiting Room, Eaglescliffe, Stockton-on-Tees

The Waiting Room Vegetarian Restaurant, in Eaglescliffe, celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. The family-run business is a past winner of the Vegetarian Society’s “Best Restaurant in The UK” award and has been a longstanding pillar of Teesside’ s culinary and cultural scene, with its longevity and enduring popularity being attributed to its incredible full-flavoured home cooking, honest to goodness values, and the lovely harmonious warm atmosphere created by its customers.

Its longevity and enduring popularity attributed to its incredible full-flavoured home cooking, honest to goodness values, and the lovely harmonious warm atmosphere created by its customers.

Sitting alongside Eaglescliffe’s newly refurbished train station, with direct trains to and from London and Manchester, The Waiting Room has navigated a tricky past few years by extending into the old chemist shop next door with The Other Room – a bustling community bar that has enhanced the restaurant whilst retaining all of its neighbourhood charm and homely personality. Then recently opening a fabulous vegetarian takeaway vvroom with a wood-fired pizza oven, next door to the other side. A wonderful sun-trap street-side garden stretches in front of all three shops, and, as of 2026, The Waiting Room is also now a licensed wedding venue.

As well as its outstanding food The Waiting Room is celebrated for its long-running Waiting for Sunday programme of arts events, gigs and happenings, which this Spring will host Hot Chip’s Alexis Taylor, Duke Special and more.

So renowned is The Waiting Room’s important contribution to Teesside’s cultural scene that its artist-proprietor Luke Harding was asked to create a new independent restaurant at MIMA a few years ago – with a tremendous art project titled ‘The Cafe’ – (that could yet win this year’s Turner Prize!)

That restaurant The Smeltery was designed as an artwork version of The Waiting Room and it too won an award for being “The Best Restaurant in The North East”.

During English Tourism week, Waiting for Sunday presents Marina Josephina on March 15th and The Rheingans Sisters on March 22nd. Vvroom will have its official launch party on Saturday March 21st, and then The Waiting Room restaurant will bring on its new Spring menu for 2026.

The Waiting Room is planning a host of celebratory Life Begins At 40th anniversary events in 2026 with parties, ‘happenings’ and special dinner events planned, as well as special offers for customers new and old.

The Waiting Room has a thriving mailing list at: www.thewaitingroom.uk. Join the list to discover more, and to receive gifts, offers, event and party invitations as well as a special 40th anniversary membership reward card.