A great day out (Preston Hall Park & Museum (Stockton-on-Tees))

Member Name: jeffjen

Product:	Preston Hall Park & Museum (Stockton-on-Tees)
Date:	26/05/09 (326 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Plenty to do and see and a cheap day out

Disadvantages: None

Located on Yarm Road, Stockton-On-Tees is Preston Hall Park and Museum. It is a fantastic place for a day out and one I have visited many times, as it was a firm favourite with my children when they were younger, and remains just as popular to this day. I recently visited here after not having been for a while, and have decided I must vist more often!

I came across this place quite by accident one day when having a run out in the car, and initially drove in to have a look, but ended up spending the rest of the day there!
Nothing is visible from the road outside as the perimeter is lined with trees but it is clearly signposted.
On driving in, there is a large car park , but also you are able to drive your car down to a large grassed area a little way further into the park if you wish. This is handy if you are having a picnic, as saves carrying food, deckchairs etc from the car park.

What hit me first was the sheer size of the park, as beyond the car park there is a huge grassed field in front of Preston Hall Museum itself, which is often used to stage various shows and events.
Behind the museum is more grassed areas and woodland which leads down to the River Tees. There are plenty of pathways to stroll through the wooded area and along by the river, and river cruises are available aboard the Teeside Princess.

Also in the park is a large enclosed children's play area,with safety soft surfaces, a miniature railway, a crazy golf course and a large aviary containing many different birds, as well as a pond area, which is protected by a fence, where peacocks and various ducks and birds reside. My daughter's used to spend ages watching the peacocks, quite enchanted by them. Apparently there used to be a zoo here which was built in 1973, but this closed in 1987 and was replaced by the aviary and pond. I never knew of this place until around 1992 so never saw the zoo.

There is also a small cafe selling snacks and drinks, ice creams etc.
We have spent many a day at Preston Park, and it is a lovely place to visit on a nice summer day as it is so large and scenic with plenty to keep the children amused, and best of all, the park itself is free! You only pay if you wish to enter the museum, which I will talk about now.

Up until not long ago, entry to the Museum was free also, and it always amazed me why they did not charge even a small entry free as it was a really good museum and experience which we all enjoyed. I used to think even if they charged 50p it would go towards the upkeep of the museum and park, but it remained free for a long time. The charges now to enter the museum are £1.30 for adults and 60p for children, but you can also purchase family tickets for £2 and £3 depending on the numbers. Concessions are also available at 60p. I think this is really cheap as the museum is a great place to visit.

Preston Hall museum opened on 3rd June 1953, to commemorate the Queen's coronation, although the actual hall itself was built in 1825. Further developments took place in 1973 when the zoo was built and also work began on the Victorian Street, which is the favourite part of the museum for many visitors.
Anyone who has visited Beamish Open Air Museum will know you are transported back to bygone days with streets and transport systems. Well Preston Hall actually contains a Victorian Street, while on a smaller scale than Beamish it is lovely to walk around.
Entry is gained from inside the museum, you walk through a door which takes you back outside and into a Victorian Street full of shops and businesses from the 1890s, with resident crafts-people displaying their skills that include toy-making, shoes, boats, printing and decorative ironwork. It felt really strange to step through a door and be taken back to the 1890s, almost like some time-travelling children's TV programme!

Back inside the museum, there are many displays of art, armour, costume, textiles and social history.

Also located in the park is Butterfly World, which contains many types of exotic butterflies. I have never visited Butterfly World as to be honest it doesn't really interest me, but it does seem quite popular. There is an entry charge to visit Butterfly World.

Overall, Preston Hall park and museum is a great day out in the North-East of England, whether you want to visit the museum, or just take a stroll around the park and river and have a picnic. With the summer months and school holidays approaching, I can highly recommend a visit here, as it is a great day out that won't break the bank, which is good to know in the current economic climate.

Road directions : Situated on Yarm Road, the nearest major road is the A66. On the A135 between Stockton and Yarm follow the brown tourist signs from the A66. The postcode for sat nav is TS18 3RH.

Public transport directions : Nearest station is Eaglescliffe station. From the station car park go straight ahead onto Yarm Road, turn left and follow Yarm Road to the museum on your right.

Summary: A great day out for everyone