Stockton's heritage has its roots in its shipbuilding history and the development of the Iron and Steel industries along the banks of the River Tees.
As a young man Captain James Cook served his apprenticeship in the area, sailing from Stockton and Yarm, and the first passenger railway, which ran between Stockton and Darlington in 1825, was developed and built here.
The inventor of the friction match, John Walker, and the furniture designer Thomas Sheraton, are just two of the famous pioneering characters who have helped to form the heritage of Stockton on Tees.
To find out more about the area go to the
Local History section.