Stewart Park is brimming with history. The medieval village of East Marton once stood there, its ruins lie beneath the park grasslands. In 1728 Captain James Cook was born at a cottage in the village.

In the late eighteenth century the village was cleared away and a large mansion built, which burned down shortly afterwards. In the mid-nineteenth century, Middlesbrough's leading iron magnate Henry Bolckow bought the estate and built Marton Hall. The hall and surrounding estate was later purchased by Middlesbrough Councillor Thomas Dormand Stewart in the 1920s. He gave the parkland and hall to Middlesbrough residents and Stewart Park was formally opened in 1928. Unfortunately the hall was demolished in 1960. The beautiful range of estate workshops and stable block built for Bolckow still stands and is the main focus of the current lottery bid that has been awarded.

If you have any photos or pictures of how the park used to look, please get in touch with David Miller at the park on 01642 515654. This will help us to restore the park and also help more people learn about Stewart Park's fascinating history.

There are two leaflets available to view by clicking on the covers below, which explain in more detail the history of Stewart Park.