Discover the fascinating history of Redcar & Cleveland!
The Saltburn Cliff Tramway
A stay at Redcar & Cleveland isn’t complete without a visit to one of its beautiful beaches to feel the golden sand between your toes – and along the shores of Saltburn Beach is one of the area’s claims to fame just waiting for you to discover.
The Saltburn Cliff Tramway is the oldest water balanced funicular still in operation in Great Britain, having opened in 1884. It links the Victorian town of Saltburn with the only remaining pleasure pier on the whole Northeast and Yorkshire coast, and is a must-see for any and all who are curious to learn more about the area’s local history and heritage.
Visitors to the area will be delighted to take a ride on the carriages, which will be refurbished and revitalised following the tramway’s winter maintenance period while keeping its iconic stained-glass windows intact. It’s more than just a cliffside lift – you’re sharing an experience people have been enjoying for over 100 years, and will continue to enjoy for many more.
Kirkleatham Museum & Grounds
For a day out with the family of exploring nature and the region’s history and heritage, there’s no better place to visit than Kirkleatham Museum and its surrounding grounds.
Housed in a magnificent 1709 Queen Anne building that began life as free school for boys is a treasure trove of artefacts and exhibitions from a time long-gone. Visitors of all ages are welcome to explore the industrial, social and maritime history of Redcar and Cleveland through the museum’s exciting workshops and displays – and an annual programme jam-packed with exciting exhibitions, family events, musical performances and seasonal activities means there’s always something new to discover.
There’s adventure to be had beyond the museum, too, as the beautiful grounds of the museum are open for visitors to explore. Why not enjoy a stop at the play park with the little ones before you refuel with a homemade treat from the café, or take a serene walk along the woodland trail where there’s plenty of interesting sights to see.
Land of Iron
Situated in Skinningrove on the site of the very first mine in Cleveland, Land of Iron is an independent museum celebrating and preserving the region’s legacy of ironstone mining and its broader industrial heritage. Featuring an abundance of fascinating exhibits, you’ll be transported 150 years back in time to explore the history of the mine and discover the fascinating stories of the miners who worked to supply over a third of the world’s iron and steel during the industrial revolution.
Land of Iron’s exhibits include an interactive walk through the past with photographs, historical artefacts and objects telling the stories of the lives and work of the miners and their families.
Explore the museum to your heart’s content before the guided tour begins, plunging you into the depths of the mines for a hands-on experience of the atmosphere within the tunnels as you listen to stories delving into mine’s rich history and the experience of working there, delivered by Land of Iron’s expert tour guides.
In addition to the exhibits, Land of Iron offers an exciting roster of events hosted all throughout the year for families to enjoy including craft workshops, guided walks, demonstrations and more.
