Stokesley

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Stokesley is a small market town and a civil parish in Hambleton district of North Yorkshire, England. It lies on the River Leven. Stokesley is located about two miles south of the boundary of the borough of Middlesbrough and ten miles south of Middlesbrough town centre. Stokesley is located between Middlesbrough, Guisborough and Northallerton, in a farming area. Local attractions for visitors include nearby Great Ayton, Captain Cook's monument, Roseberry Topping and the North York Moors.

History

Stokesley was first granted a charter to hold fairs in 1223 by Henry III. The Pack Horse Bridge, crossing the River Leven from the riverside walk, dates from the 17th Century. Renowned for its large range of building types, the latter construction within Stokesley of sundry fine Georgian architecture is thought to have contributed much to its later character. Other prominent historical features around the town include the Mill Wheel, thought to represent the site of a mill recorded in the Doomsday book of 1086. The famous survey, by William the Conqueror, also contained the first written record of "a church and priest" in Stokesley. Its equivalent today, The Church of St Peter and St Paul, is located just off the market 'Plain' and has woodwork carved by the Mouseman of Kilburn.

Visitors to Stokesley today will find an intact historic High Street, lined with many independent small shops and restaurants. Education is catered for by a Primary School, as well as a combined Secondary School and Sixth Form College. Established in 1958, alumni of the Secondary School include Labour politician Alan Milburn, 1988 Olympics runner Louise Stuart and Sky Sports News journalist and presenter, David Jones. Other main facilities include a Leisure Centre with a swimming pool, a medium-sized supermarket, show-ground, camping site, Health Centre, Library, Police Station and Fire Station. The town also has five pubs. Stokesley is also the home of Quorn, produced by Marlow Foods, and reputedly has some of the finest butcher's shops in the whole of North Yorkshire.

The inaugural meeting of the Stokesley Agricultural Society was held at the Golden Lion Hotel, now Chapters Hotel, in 1859. This boutique hotel was also used as the law law courts for the area being ideally placed between Middlesbrough and Northallerton.

There is a weekly market held on a Friday in the main square called the 'Plain'. In September there is a four day fair that takes over the centre of town. The agricultural show takes place at the end of September on the show-ground.

Transport
Stokesley is served by the Arriva service 29 from Middlesbrough every 30 minutes and the 81 from Marske Estate every 60 minutes.