Stokesley is an attractive, elegant, historic market town of some 5000 inhabitants, mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086, with many interesting Georgian and Victorian buildings. The River Leven flows through the town and is crossed by the ancient Pack Horse Bridge. Levenside provides visitors with a peaceful riverside walk, well planted with trees, as a contrast to the bustle of the High Street.
The town has a distinguished wide cobbled main street lined with Georgian and Regency buildings.It is well served with shops, banks, public houses and restaurants and the weekly Friday markets are held on the main square. Just off the market square is the Church of St Peter & St Paul which has woodwork carved by the Mouseman of Kilburn.
At the east end of the town is a spectacular view of Roseberry Topping and the North York Moors,four miles away and a prominent feature – the Mill Wheel. Within a few yards, a visitor experiences the surprise of a panorama of buildings and open spaces suddenly opening up on entering the town centre. Stokesley Manor House is an imposing building at the eastern end of the Market Square which is being refurbished at present.
The West Green area has old buildings surrounding the green planted with trees. The whole of the town provides features of planted floral tubs in the summer months to welcome visitors to the area.
Stokesley Agricultural Show is held every year on the third Saturday in September and is an attraction for visitors from all over the world. The North Sea coast is 15 miles away; coastal towns are Hartlepool, Redcar, Saltburn, Whitby and Scarborough. York and Newcastle are only one hour away. It provides an excellent centre for exploring the region and is the gateway to the North York Moors.