Area: 77  miles² (200 km²) - Population approximately 177,000

A traditional market town for centuries, It lies on the left bank of the River Tees, 12 miles (19 km) from the river's North Sea mouth.  Stockton grew up around the manor house and later castle of the bishops of Durham, who granted its charter in 1310.  Its importance as a port was enhanced by the construction of a stone bridge across the Tees in 1769 and a railway to the Durham coalfield in 1825.  This Stockton and Darlington Railway, built by George Stephenson, was the world's first public railway. 

The modern district includes both agriculture and industry.  There are petrochemical and fertilizer plants at Billingham, ironworks at Stockton town, and heavy engineering works at Thornaby-on-Tees.

Stockton is famous for the 'Rocket' - as it was here on September 27, 1825, that George Stephenson rode his locomotion train, the world's first passenger train which went from Stockton to Darlington. The railways heralded a new era for Stockton with a new importance placed on transportation, timed nicely alongside the booming trade in coal, iron and steel industries in nearby towns. Two years later, it was chemist John Walker who invented the friction match and was then told by his bank manager the match would never catch on! Sadly for Walker, he never patented his design and died shortly afterwards. Other famous Stockton sons include furniture designer Thomas Sheraton and actor Stephen Tomkinson - star of Drop the Dead Donkey and Ballykissangel. The town can also claim to having the broadest High Street in England, and its open air market - held every Wednesday - dates back to 1310. There is a whole host of shops at the Castlegate Centre and Chandlers Wharf, together with top high street shops. Stockton also has a university campus, a part of Durham University - University College. It boasts an exciting nightlife, plenty of clubs, leisure facilities and easy travel links to all major towns in the North East. And thousands each year come and enjoy the colourful and spectacular Stockton International Riverside Festival, held every summer, and popular with folk all around the country.

For further information contact Stockton Tourist Information Centre on (01642) 391433.