Stockton-on-Tees

With its market charter granted in 1310, Stockton town centre hosts one of the region's largest outdoor markets every Wednesday and Saturday. The Prince Bishop's of Durham came here to collect taxes from the southern end of the county. Their home in the town - Stockton Castle - was demolished on the orders of Oliver Cromwell.

The Town Hall, built in 1735 in the Dutch style, shows the importance of the town at that time, and this is also reflected in similar buildings still standing in nearby Norton and Yarm. The River Tees was vital to the early industrial development of the town, with exports and imports, shipbuilding and their associated trades (ropemaking, sailmaking etc), providing the means for many people to become wealthy.

In the 1700s Stockton became a major river port. Lead from the Pennines and farm produce from the region was carried to the quayside by horse and cart to be shipped to London and overseas.

In 1822 Stockton hosted an event which changed the face of the world for ever, and heralded a new era in trade, industry and travel. The first rail of the Stockton & Darlington railway was laid three years later on 27th September 1825. The world famous engineer George Stephenson manned Locomotion No 1, with his great friend, and rival engineer Timothy Hackworth acting as guard.

The opening of the world's first modern railway in 1825 encouraged the growth of industry, although it was the discovery of Ironstone in the Cleveland Hills in the 1850s which transformed the town from a market town into one noted for its industry.

Also renowned for its shipbuilding, local shipbuilder Robert Ropner made his fortune here. His impressive mansion house Preston Hall, is now a popular museum and country park which is owned and managed by the local authority.

Other pioneering characters include John Walker, inventor of the friction match in 1826. Sadly he died in 1859 without capitalising on his discovery.

Thomas Sheraton, the eminent furniture designer, was born in the town in 1751 and married in St Mary's Church, Norton. A journeyman cabinet maker and Baptist Minister, he moved to London in 1790.

The stunning Millennium Footbridge, linking Teesdale and Thornaby to Stockton, is one of the latest landmarks to grace the skyline, the other is the magnificent structure of the town's Baptist Tabernacle Church.