The ACN Away Guide – Middlesbrough | OneFootball

The ground

As Middlesbrough were one of the clubs to opt for a new stadium in the post-Taylor report era, The Riverside is very much emblematic of 1990s stadium design. In terms of architecture, it is Pride Park with red seats.

This being said, it does have some notably unique features. First of all, the location is pretty good: on the banks of the Tees, overlooked by the vista of the iconic transporter bridge. Second, outside the ground you can find the gates to Boro’s beloved former home, Ayresome Park.

Lastly, in my experience it has a really good atmosphere, with the home fans leaving you in no doubt about the passion they have for their club.

Getting There (From Norwich)

Those taking the train will need to make their way to Peterborough. From here, there are some direct trains, but usually you’ll have to make at least one additional change at the likes of York, Darlington, Doncaster, or Northallerton. Middlesbrough station is in the centre of town, with the route to the Riverside signposted.

If you’re driving, take the A47 and A17 west, before joining the A1, A168, and A19 north. Finally, take the A66 into Middlesbrough. There is a large multi-storey car park at the Cleveland Centre. Alternatively, Zetland multi-storey, Captain Cook Square, Cannon Parkway, and France Street are all large council-operated car parks.

Where to drink

There’s a concentration of pubs along Bedford and Baker Streets in the town centre. These include , Sherlocks, Dr Watsons and the Twisted Lip (Baker Street), and the Chairman and O’Connell’s (Bedford Street). Also nearby is the Southfield next to the University campus, which has a good selection of craft beers.

My personal favourite, however, is the Infant Hercules micropub on Grange Road, which offers a great selection of local beers.

At the ground, you can make use of the fan-zone by the Ayresome Park gates before and after the match, as well as the Twe12th Man bar, which is open to all supporters at full time.

Footy Scran

There really is only one answer here. The Parmo, Teesside’s signature dish, surely sits at the top table of British cuisine. Flatted chicken breast, coated in breadcrumbs and deep fried, slathered with béchamel sauce and grated cheddar cheese, and finished under the grill.

They’re available from most takeaways, and from the Riverside (in a bun no less). If you’re after a slightly more gourmet version, try the offerings of Manjaros, Uno Momento, or Baker Street Kitchen.

Manjaros and Uno Momento are local chains with locations in the town centre. Both offer a range of variants (with big portion sizes), with the latter allowing you to combine your parmo with any of their pasta dishes.

Baker Street Kitchen, also in the town centre, is an independent café that sells a parmo burger (alongside some excellent breakfast options).

Things to See and Do

Saltburn-by-the-sea is a picturesque coastal town a short train journey from Middlesbrough. Not only can you take in the sea views with some chips in hand, you can also take a ride on the Victorian cliff tramway down to the pier.

Fun Fact

Despite beng one of the larger settlements in the North East, Middlesbrough is actually a relatively new town, going from a tiny hamlet to a major industrial centre, nicknames ‘Ironopolis’, in the space of a about two decades in the mid-19th century. This rapid growth led then-Chancellor (and later Prime Minister) William Gladstone to dub the town an ‘Infant Hercules’ in 1862.