Stokesley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Stokesley |
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.jpg) Stokesley Town Centre |
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 Stokesley
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| Population | 4,910 (2021 census) |
| OS grid reference | NZ524087 |
| Unitary authority |
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| Ceremonial county | |
| Region | |
| Country | England |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | MIDDLESBROUGH |
| Postcode district | TS9 |
| Dialling code | 01642 |
| Police | North Yorkshire |
| Fire | North Yorkshire |
| Ambulance | Yorkshire |
| EU Parliament | Yorkshire and the Humber |
| UK Parliament |
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Stokesley is a lovely market town in North Yorkshire, England. It's a civil parish, which means it has its own local government. The town is located by the River Leven.
Stokesley is part of the historic area called the North Riding of Yorkshire. In 2021, the town and its surrounding area had about 6,180 people living there.
The town is about eight miles south of Middlesbrough. It sits in a farming area between Middlesbrough, Guisborough, and Northallerton. Nearby, you can visit places like Great Ayton, Captain Cook's monument, and Roseberry Topping. These are all found in the beautiful North York Moors National Park.
Contents
A Look at Stokesley's Past
Stokesley has a long and interesting history. In 1223, King Henry III gave the town special permission to hold fairs. This was a big deal for trade and bringing people together.
The old pack-horse bridge over the River Leven was built in the 1600s. It shows how important the river was for travel and moving goods.
Stokesley has many different types of buildings. You can see beautiful Georgian architecture from the 1700s. These buildings give the town a special feel.
One important historical spot is the Mill Wheel. It marks where a mill likely stood, which was mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086. This book was a huge survey of England ordered by William the Conqueror. The Domesday Book also noted that Stokesley had "a church and priest" even back then. The Stokesley Town Hall was finished in 1853 and is still a key building.
What Stokesley Offers
Stokesley's main street, called the High Street, is full of unique small shops and places to eat. It's a great spot to explore.
The town also has a Co-operative Food supermarket for groceries. There's a showground, a camping site, and a health centre. You can find an industrial area, a library, and both police and fire stations.
If you're looking for a place to relax, Stokesley has five pubs. These include The Queen's Head and The White Swan. Stokesley is also where Quorn is made by Marlow Foods.
Many buildings in Stokesley are special. There are 80 buildings listed as Grade II, meaning they are historically important. Four buildings are even more special, listed as Grade II*. These include the old Barclays Bank, Handyside Cottage, the Manor House, and the Old Rectory.
Farming and Local Markets
Farming has always been important in Stokesley. The Stokesley Agricultural Society started in 1859. This group helps organize the big Stokesley Agricultural Show.
The show happens every year in September. It's one of the biggest one-day shows in northern England. It's a fun event where you can see farm animals, local crafts, and more.
Stokesley also has a weekly market every Friday in the main square, called the Plain. Plus, a farmers' market takes place on the first Saturday of each month. Here, you can buy fresh, local produce directly from farmers.
The Annual Fair
Every September, Stokesley hosts a four-day fair right in the town centre. It's a big event with lots of rides and attractions.
The fair takes over the entire High Street. You might see rides like Speed Buzz, the Extreme, and Vertigo. The fair starts on Wednesday evening and runs until Saturday. On Saturday, it's open all day, at the same time as the agricultural show.
Places of Worship
Stokesley has three churches. The oldest building in town is the Anglican Church of St Peter and St Paul. It's located just off the Market Plain.
This church has parts that date back to the Middle Ages, like its tower. The main part of the church was built around 1777. Inside, you can see beautiful stained glass windows from the 1900s. There's also special woodwork carved by the famous Mouseman of Kilburn.
Sports and Activities
Stokesley is a great place for sports! The Stokesley SC Football Club was started in 1920. They play in the North Riding League Premier Division league.
The North Riding County FA, which organizes football in the area, is based in Stokesley. It was formed way back in 1881. Stokesley Cricket Club plays in the North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League.
If you like swimming, the local leisure centre has a swimming pool. It's a good place to stay active.
Getting Around Stokesley
You can get to Stokesley by bus. Arriva North East runs service 28a from Middlesbrough every hour. Service 81 comes from Marske Estate every hour.
Abbott's of Leeming also runs services 80/89 every two hours. These buses go towards Northallerton and Romanby, passing through Osmotherley.
Stokesley used to have its own train station. It was on a line that went from Stockton to Whitby. The station closed for passengers in 1954. Goods trains continued until 1965, when the line closed completely. The closest train station now is at Great Ayton.
Local News and Entertainment
For local news and TV shows, people in Stokesley watch BBC North East and Cumbria and ITV Tyne Tees. These signals come from the Bilsdale TV transmitter.
You can also listen to local radio stations. These include BBC Radio Tees on 95.0 FM, Capital North East on 106.4 FM, Smooth North East on 107.7 FM, and Heart North East on 100.7 FM.
The town is served by local newspapers like the Darlington & Stockton Times and The Northern Echo.
Learning in Stokesley
Stokesley has a good history of education. An old school called Preston Grammar School used to be in College Square. It closed in 1918 because it didn't meet standards, mainly due to not having enough money.
Stokesley Primary School opened in 1908 and was made bigger in 1973. It teaches about 550 students.
Stokesley School opened in 1959 for students aged 11 to 18. It started as a secondary modern school and became a comprehensive school in the 1970s. This means it teaches students of all abilities. Later, a sixth form college was added for older students. Today, about 1,700 students attend Stokesley School.
Some famous people who went to Stokesley School include Labour politician Alan Milburn. Also, Louise Stuart, who ran in the 1988 Olympics, and Sky Sports News journalist David Jones are alumni.
Well-Known People from Stokesley
- John Coates (1828–1870), a cricketer
- Jonathan Ruffer, a financial expert, author, and helper of good causes
See also
In Spanish: Stokesley para niños
