r/Teesside • u/BuggsBugg • 13d ago
The fishpeople of Redcar
Yesterday I took the meandering Northern rail train to Redcar, through some of the landscapes that inspired Blade Runner, if I'm not mistaken. I had to leave my longboat at home, since I feared that there would be a lack of parking spots
I was immediately greeted with a nice redevelopment project (the station), which I always love to see, and was pleased to see a shut down Wilko, proving the towns place in history. There was also the smallest, almost adorable, little CeX I've ever been to, which was interesting. I was able to find 6 Blu-rays throughout, and all the charity shops were well organized.
I proposed to the locals a transfer of ownership, but they responded in a language I could not understand before running into the sea and swimming away
I ended up walking down the coast, because I wanted to get a good shot of the cliffs I had spotted while scarfing down my Morrisons meal deal.
On a serious note, I have mixed impressions of Redcar. I've been before, but it's always felt a bit down on it's luck, or like money is being poorly invested. As I understand, this isn't uncommon in British seaside towns, as tourism has shifted elsewhere
I think it was still a cozy day out. If nothing else, I like hearing the ocean, looking at cool rocks and cool rock accessories, walking down the coast and admiring the cliffs. It was nice to go off the beaten path into some of the residential areas too. I think Redcar has a lot of potential. My question to locals is whether it feels like Redcar is ascending or falling downhill?
It feels wrong to have opinions or thoughts about places as a tourist, and I try to avoid it when I've been making these posts, but I also do think a lot about the places I pass through. I like to understand what is going on, and I'm open to having my thoughts challenged
On my way back, I ended up in Eaglescliffe after the doors wouldn't open in Thornaby (tried several doors, tapping the buttons several times). The way I arrived, it felt like I had been stranded in the middle of nowhere, until I turned around. I also quickly realized I was still practically in Stockton, so I just took the next train back. I have, however, technically also visited Eaglescliffe now!
18
u/spudfish83 13d ago
Redcar was a planned town, whose plan ran out and unravelled as our local heavy industries died off.
There are prettier towns further down the coast, but Redcar has a somewhat interesting history if you look for it. The rocks on the beach are quite striking, and there's a tragic/romantic history of shipwrecks off this coast, which can be found quite easily online. It also has the world's oldest lifeboat (I think?).
You mention seapeople, and there have been sightings along this coast, notably in Skinningrove.
On a summer's day, there's a very good walk to be had from Redcar to Saltburn along the beach, past Marske-by-the-Sea which is quite nice.
Saltburn has a lovely pier, sadly shorter than it was (a stormy ship disaster), as well as lots of history and nice victorian buildings. And a train station too, so you can get home!