Preston Park in Stockton-on-Tees is somewhere we have visited many times over the years and a place I have recommended time and time again. It is low-cost, there is lots to do with indoor and outdoor options and easy to get to by car or public transport.
It is the kind of place you can meet up with friends and spend the whole day. At time of publishing, no booking is required for regular daytime visits (booking will be required for some special events) but please always double check information with Preston Park before setting off. As we know, details can change.
Preston Park, Museum & Grounds is made up of various areas:
- Adventure Playground, Skate Park & Cafe (free to visit)
- Victorian Street & Tearoom (included with annual pass)
- Museum & Galleries (included with annual pass)
- Woodland Walk (included with annual pass)
- Walled Garden (included with annual pass)
- River & Woodland Walks (free to visit)
The Teesside Small Gauge Railway is also on the same site but again, not linked to the museum. They are located just behind the bandstand and trains run on selected dates by volunteers (check out their FB page here for updates , info and running times ).
One thing that really stands out for me with Preston Park is their seasonal and on-going event programme. At Preston Park, you pay once for admission and can visit as many times as you like across the year. Prices are super reasonable (£15 for a family pass for a family of 5 for example) and under 3s are admitted free of charge. There is also a 25% discount for Stockton Borough Council residents.
Many of their events are included with admission or available at a small additional cost and Preston Park is a place that really changes throughout the seasons. A visit in October Half Term will include Scarecrows and Pumpkins and over the festive period you can expect beautiful Christmas decorations and in the summer, lots of outdoor events, harvest festivals and beautiful flowers. With the Preston Park annual pass, you really do receive excellent value for money.
No booking is required - simply turn up and purchase your annual pass at the admissions desk. The layout of Preston Park can be a little confusing for first time visitors as there is lots to see in multiple areas, the staff are lovely though and will point you in the right direction. If you can't find somewhere mentioned in this post, please ask them and they will help. Make sure you keep your annual pass safe as you will need to show it when you revisit (which I guarantee you will want to do).
It is worth mentioning that the adventure playground, skate park and little cafe are free to visit and you don't need to pay for an annual pass to visit these areas. Just turn up. I highly recommend you do visit the other areas though, they are worth it.
The museum and grounds are mostly accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs (you can read their accessibility information here) and there are toilets including baby change and accessible loos across the site.
Lots of people bring their dogs to enjoy the extensive grounds and walks around Preston Park and they are welcome. Dogs however are not permitted in the adventure playground, skate park, museum & gardens (with the exception of assistance dogs).
February Half Term at Preston Park
Over February Half Term, museum visitors can enjoy the following extra activities at no additional cost :
- Get Crafty Sessions - Create Your Own Peg Dolls (Saturday 19, Monday 21, Wednesday 23, Friday 25 and Sunday 27 February from 10am - 3pm). Just drop in - included with museum admission / annual pass
- Not What It Seams Dress Up & Role Play Area
Behind the Seams Exhibition at Preston Park
- Get Crafty Sessions - Create Your Own Peg Dolls (Saturday 19, Monday 21, Wednesday 23, Friday 25 and Sunday 27 February from 10am - 3pm). Just drop in - included with museum admission / annual pass
- Not What It Seams Dress Up & Role Play Area
Following its huge success in 2018 , Behind the Seams in returning to Preston Park with a brand new set of iconic costumes from TV and film to admire. The new exhibition will run from 12 October 2021 - 19 February 2022.
- Sex Education
- The Crown
- It's A Sin
- James Bond
- Fantastic Beasts
This exhibition is not included with your annual pass and there is an additional charge of £5 per adult / £3 per child/concession (+ your annual pass). Under 3s go free. Find out more and book your tickets here.
Review: We visited the exhibition during opening week and I absolutely loved it! We visited as a couple and would definitely recommend as an alternative date day idea. There was something for everyone and particular highlights for us were the costumes from The Crown, Sex Education and Cruella. It is weird how seeing a costume can provoke memories and we had lots of lovely chats about some of our favourite TV and film shows from the exhibition afterwards.
It took us around 30 minutes to slowly walk around the exhibition and read all of the info. It was really interesting and there are little snippets of interesting behind the scenes info rather than loads of long paragraphs. I was shocked by some of the things I read!
I also think it would be somewhere nice to bring along the grandparents as there were some costumes from classic and older films too. Preston Park Museum is pretty accessible and grandparents will love a little potter down the Victorian Street and visiting the museum which is packed with vintage toys and items afterwards.
Location
Preston Park, Museum & Grounds are a 5 minute drive from Yarm, Stockton-on-Tees. It should take around an hour to drive from Newcastle and is easy to reach via either the A1 or A19.
Use postcode TS18 3RJ. There is ample free parking with a main car park and two overflow car parks. We last visited on a sunny Sunday in the school holidays and found a spot no problem. There are disabled parking spaces available and two electric charging points too.
Preston Park is on several bus routes and Eaglescliffe Railway Station is a 12 minute walk away (see here for more information on both).
Victorian Street
The cobbled street squeezes a lot in and is a nice place for a sit down or just to have a wander. Some of the Victorian shops are open and you can go inside (and sometimes purchase items too).
The street usually has old-fashioned toys available for kids (and grown ups if they fancy) to have a go with.
There is an old fashioned Police Station which is interesting.
But a real favourite is the traditional sweet shops where the shelves are lined with jars of treats and they are weighed in front of you using proper scales. Prices are so reasonable too with a small bag setting you back 50p. Try and bring cash if you can.
There is a cute traditional toy shop which sells toys and games. Pocket money toys are available too with a mini wooden train setting you back just £2.50.
Oh and they usually have a table with produce from the garden with an honesty box too (again, bring cash).
I especially love visiting the Victorian Street at Halloween when it is decorated with pumpkins.
Walled Garden
It is fairly large and features a wide variety of seasonal fruit, veg and flowers growing. It is a beautiful place for a walk and little ones loved running around with the butterflies during our last trip. There is seating in the garden and they usually have some kind of free trail / activity for kids running too (on our last visit it was a carrot hunt).
I love this area of Preston Park and find it so interesting. Plus I like to compare how their veg is growing compared with mine at homes and steal a few ideas for things I might like to try at home too. They have a couple of pumpkin patches in the garden too and it was nice to see how they are coming along (better than ours at home if you are interested).
Woodland Walk
Exit the Victorian Street as if you are going to the Walled Garden. Have the Walled Garden in front of you and the Victorian Street behind you. Turn right and walk for 20 seconds. You will see a little sign and the entrance to the woodland walk. It is kind of between the Victorian Street and Walled Garden.
Adventure Playground & Skate Park
There are plenty of picnic tables in and around the playground and you are welcome to bring a picnic or Cafe in the Park serves snacks and light bites but it can get busy (see here for opening hours/info).
There are public toilets next to the playground and lots of green space and grass for big family picnics / kite flying / ball games etc.... Lots of groups seem to bring their own camping chairs and use the grass opposite the playground as a base for a friend / family get together or group meet up.
Museum & Galleries
Walks, Grounds & Mini Train
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Credit | Teesside Small Gauge Railway |
Events
This event is included with admission/annual pass and also available on Sunday 22 August 2021 and Sunday 29 August 2021. No booking - just pop along and meet / feed / stroke / learn about various farmyard animals in the orchard. We loved it and got to feed an Alpaca and stroke some rabbits as well as learn all about this beautiful pony.
- Get Crafty every Tuesday & Thursday until 31 August. Drop in and enjoy some craft time in the museum's music room. No additional cost (included with annual pass/admission)
Butterfly World
It does get busy if it is raining.
There are Koi Carp ponds, a reptile house and meerkats too and you can see various Chrysalis' ready to hatch as well.
Top Tips for Visiting Preston Park and Museum
- There is lots to see and do. I would recommend for all ages from babies up to teens. Grandparents will enjoy it too
- Picnics are welcome
- Bring a mix of cash (for the sweet shop & mini train) and card
- If your kids are likely to play in the mud kitchen, pack a change of clothes
- Bring scooters / skateboards / helmets if your kids have them for the skate park
- Ask staff if you can't find a particular area - they are super helpful
- Don't miss the cake from the Victorian Tearoom
- There are plenty of toilets on site
- Most areas are wheelchair and pushchair accessible
- Keep your ticket somewhere safe - it acts as your annual pass and you will want to revisit
When I was a kid and lived in Stockton we always used to visit Preston Park and have school trips there. It was always a fun day out. x
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