This stadium was designed in the image of Victor Hugo's ear (hence the name Victor-ear Park). It's…read morea bit of a missed opportunity because it's so close to the harbour and the North Sea, but you can't really "sea" it from inside the stadium because of the railway line, the massive Asda, and such, that are in the way. But it's close enough to be an absolutely freezing place to play football. And it's close enough where I'll give it a 4 out of 5 for proximity, even though the stadium is under 10k and isn't much to shout about. First-Hand Experience: More info about my personal experience at this stadium - I've seen Hartlepool play here only once, and what a lovely experience it was. Back in 2014 (about 9 months ago) on a day when they were filming a movie in town by the shore. I saw the Harts win here and the crowd went insane. Yes the stadium needs a bit of work but what a lovely place, what passion and history... and it's been around since 1886 too. I loved it here, the cold, the wind, the noise, and everything about it. It's one of the stadiums I plan to go back to. It could use a facelift and more fans inside it but it's easily a 4-star facility. I've been to most UK & US stadiums, due to lifelong obsessions with travel, sport & especially footy (soccer to Americans). Born & raised in England, I followed Oxford United (hometown team) to stadia all over the country at away games, and later Liverpool (fave team) around. Every stadium review - like all my reviews - are from first-hand personal experience, usually from several visits. In 2011, I was on music tour in the UK, and visited most stadiums for fun in my spare time. As recently as Fall 2014, when I was "stuck" in UK for 3 months, I went to hundreds yet again while travelling. I have pictures of me at most, which I'll post later. Also, when back in UK I'll take more pix, and add more stadia! *** return to regular review *** They create a nice atmosphere here, and it's intimidating for opposing teams, and they've managed to stay in the league for a long time with such a small town backing them up, so that's nice. Interestingly, last time I visited this stadium, they were filming a movie just down the road, and they yelled at me to move my car because my (rental) car was going to end up polluting their scene or something. There were a lot of 50s cars and stuff. There weren't any "redcars", that would have been too funny. By the way, yay for this stadium surviving since 1886 and yay for it being so close to the city centre as well as harbour. It's known as "The Vic" and the women's England team have played (and won) here.

ormesby table tennis is situated on cargo fleet lane opposite fleet house my children attend the…read moresessions on a thursday 5-6pm and saturday 10am -12, it only costs £1 for 2 hours coaching and is very enjoyable, it also has a small cafe inside for sweets and drinks. there are quite a few well run tournaments run over the season and anyone is able to enter the tournaments. excellent enjoyment for all levels anyone is welcome to join

If you wear three bras, then this team is not interested in the top bra, or the under-bra, but only…read morethe Middle-bra. First-Hand Experience: I saw Boro play once at Ayresome when I was a kid, and once in Oxford. Then I saw them play in Liverpool when Gerrard scored twice and Rafa's LFC beat them 2-0 not long before the CL Final which LFC lost. And I've now been to the Riverside a few times and it's honestly one of my fave stadiums to go to. I was sad a few months ago when Boro did not make it back to the Prem, but I love Norwich too so I was happy about that. Boro are such a wonderful team, for an underprivileged area that needs them. I'd actually call them one of my fave teams in the region, to be honest. Middlesbrough is one of my favourite cities in the UK, bizarrely. It's a sea of factories and poverty, but it also has real character and is one of the most underrated metro areas in one of the most underrated regions (The North East), and I had a lovely concert there when I played there. This team was formed way back in 1876 and is ambitious, always has been, from getting Mendieta on their team, to getting McLaren and Southgate as managers, to building the Riverside Stadium. Also if you're ever in this part of the world you need to eat a Parmo, which is the local specialty, and is utterly delicious. Chipchase Chippy makes the best one. McLaren won them the League Cup in 2004, and got them to the UEFA Cup Final in 2006, amazingly. They were in the Prem for 11 straight years and have been in the top flight many times. Middlesbrough has the highest portion of female fans (20%) and girls up here are wonderful. They have the highest portion of local born fans (80%) too. They're also the 7th loudest fans in the country. They were the first club to launch their own TV channel, a year ahead of Man U. They've been League Cup Runners Up twice and FA Cup Runners up once, all in that amazing McLaren era. Easily a five star team and good luck to them.

This Bingo hall has to be one of the most popular in the area, its big inside, decorated colouful,…read morewith 2 bars, a small coffee bar in the foyer, and a food outlet. You could have the chance to win upto £1000 and is good fun if you go with a group of friends. The prices differ from night to night so its best to check before you go. They do quite a lot of specials like buy one get one free so you could end up paying less then a fiver for your bingo books. There is plenty of car parking and it is open daily, the night time session starts at 7pm. You have to be a member to enter but you can join and play on the same night.

Whilst this is a small cinema I was pleased on a recent visit to see that so much of the original…read more1930's features had survived both in the foyer and the screening room themselves. I was disappointed to see so few people using it but it was a 5.30 showing on a Saturday afternoon so not the usual time that most people venture out. They have tried making clubs for Mums & Toddlers, OAP's, etc. which means that it does get used at different times. While prices for tickets are quite high the place was clean and staff friendly when they'd stopped talking amoungst themselves.

The Odeon Cinema is a small cinema with only 3 screens, located on the edge of Darlington town…read morecentre. It is the only cinema in the local area. It has recently been refurbished but the screens are still quite traditional inside. Although it is small, it always shows he biggest films out. The location is good as it is a short 5 minute walk from the town centre.

I love the pavilion - it is a great sports venue and caters for all age ranges from the childrens…read moreparties and fitness classes ran in school holidays to the gym and fitness classes, tournaments, and OAP classes. Check out the teesactive.co.uk website for details of all the facilities this place offers. I am a gym member and the gym is great - it was recently refurbished and has top of the line new machines and well trained staff to help you get the best out of your gym sessions. If you get a monthly gym membership (lots of packages on offer) all the fitness classes here, and at the Forum as well as the swimming pools in billingham, thornaby and stockton are included at no extra charge. Well worth the subscription you pay and it is reasonably priced unlike some gyms in the area.

This is a tiny little museum located on the main road of Great Ayton. Beware that parking is a…read morenightmare in Great Ayton and that while there are a few spaces nearby, the road is fast and the place is often full of other visitors so pull in quick when you see a space and just thank your lucky stars you got a space! The entrance is round the corner and up some stairs, as long as you find the building (on the other side of the road from suggits, you'll find the entrance as it has a green blue plaque outside. The inside is very small with a kind of interactive displays about his life and then a reconstructed schoolroom with some wax figures of James and his teachers. It's £2 for adults and £1 for children. £4 for a family. The thing is, locals work here so they have that lovely community spirit and they're all really nice and helpful. It's not a big museum but it's kept lovely and clean and has a gift shop for those youngsters wanting a rubber with the famous captains name on.

The best time to go is a mild summer afternoon, so you can walk from Stockton High Street, down the…read moreold Stockton Road and over the viaduct (built by Peter Mandelson's sinister Teesside Development Corporation think new Doctor Who baddies). The building is non-descript but when the light's just right it seems ok, with the roar from the flyover to the right. The foyer is enormous and so is the popcorn!! The screens vary in size, but it still feels a bit like you're being herded in somewhere to die, because although the outside is curved, the corridors inside are straight lines (if i remember correctly). Every christmas for a few years we all had to go and watch the lord of the rings films here. Three hours of pure agony for different reasons. Still, a good place to go if you're a teenager in need of some physical abuse.

Been to this cinema a few times over the years & find it pretty good. They now have fancy large…read moreleather seating in most of the screens. My only complain is that the men's toilets, although look clean stink of stale urine. Come on showcase get your cleaners motivated.