I had a very comfortable night in my B&B in Redcar and set off very early the following morning for the short drive east to Saltburn-by-the-Sea. I found a very convenient parking spot just by the train station and caught one of the regular trains heading into Middlesbrough. Today was going to be another day of predominantly walking through the industrial area of Teeside.
From Middlesbrough railway station I walked the half-mile or so out to the Transporter Bridge. I could see that the bridge was back in operation today, now that the winds had subsided. Today was sunny, but breezy, with the odd sleety shower thrown in. I walked around Middlesbrough Dock, because the bridge over the dock gates was being repaired. It was only a minor diversion and I was soon walking alongside the impressive Riverside Stadium, home to Middlesbrough FC football club. After a half a mile I crossed the railway line at the Navigation Inn and joined a footpath that I would be on for the next 6 or 7 miles. This footpath would run alongside the railway through the industrial landscape almost all the way to Redcar. The footpath was the route of the Teesdale way as well as the ECP. Although there would few views on offer today, the footpath was much preferable to walking along pavements next to busy roads.
I gradually left Middlesbrough moving from offshore industrial plants to the much larger, but now deserted, steel plants occupying vast areas. I think after the main closure of the plants in 2015, only a small site is still involved in steel production. I rejoined the main road and soon headed off north towards the coast, crossing the railway via a small footbridge. After crossing a golf course I followed the dunes into Redcar itself. The town was really busy today and I find a Greggs to get myself a coffee. The High street in Redcar is very wide and quite strung-out. I pass the ‘Spoons where I ate last night, called The Plimsoll Line, it is named after Samuel Plimsoll who once lived in the town and gave his name to lines painted onto the sides of ships denoting the weight of their cargo. I emerge back on the sea-front and walk along the promenade past Marske-by-the-Sea and then onto to beach to Saltburn-by-the-Sea. The small seaside town is also very busy and there are many walking along the prom and beach. The Cliff ‘Lift’ is currently being repaired, but the steps up to the town are not too steep. I have now joined another National Trail, the Cleveland Way, which would soon see me into North Yorkshire.
Distance today = 15 miles
Total distance = 3,558 miles
Walking the Coast of Great Britain 
Looks like an industrial walk, in the first section anyway. The Cleveland Way sounds wonderful. It’s a walk I want to complete one day,
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I can vouch for the Cleveland Way, it has been my favourite stretch of the coast so far!
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When I did this stretch the Teesdale Way was closed so I did have to walk on all those busy main roads, though at least a large stretch of road works meant the left hand lane was closed off. There was no works going on so I could walk on that, safe from the traffic, which was better than I had expected.
I also remember the Transporter Bridge being out of use when I was here. Though there was a replacement bus (a tatty old Transit van with seats, but it was free). I think that is the first time I’ve had to take a replacement bus for a bridge!
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Hi Ruth, yes the Cleveland Way joined the coast at Saltburn, although I did very little of it, until yesterday when myself and my daughter did a tough 19 miles onto Whitby.
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Hi Jon, I thought I had a foolproof plan to walk to the first bridging point and still take a ride on the Bridge itslef. I just did’,t take into account the winds! At a cost of £7 you are still able to take a walk over the top of the Newport Transporter bridge, after a brief safety talk!
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Yes I did exactly that in Newport. It was great – but you do need a good head for heights!
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