In and Around Stockton-on-Tees
Stockton itself is an historic town, with plenty of shops, leisure and social facilities just 10 minutes' walk from campus. The nightlife of Middlesbrough is also on hand, as well as cosy bars and restaurants in nearby Yarm.
Bustling Stockton is small enough to be a friendly community, yet large enough to fill your social diary. Most of all, you'll be struck by the friendly welcome the town offers you. With its vibrant nightlife, shops, pubs, bowling, cinemas, theatre and sporting facilities, there's plenty to do - including Stockton's own contemporary arts venue, ‘Arc', which offers a programme of film, dance, music and drama.
The annual International Riverside Festival features the finest street theatre, music, carnival and many other events from across the world - all set in and around the streets of Stockton.
If you're a shopaholic, your options range from regular weekly markets and the cobbled high street of Yarm, with its Georgian buildings offering gift shops and café bars, to Middlesbrough's award-winning Psyche store, Teesside Park, the Castlegate shopping centre and the Wellington Square. Options further afield include the massive Gateshead MetroCentre and Newcastle.
Or if water sports are really your thing, you're in the right place. Sailing, canoeing, rowing, dragon boats, water-skiing and jet-skiing are all on offer close by. There's a white water course at the nearby Tees Barrage, and the River Tees Water Sports Centre is opposite the campus.
Nightlife and entertainment
The area's clubs and music venues attract top names in music, and clubs with good student nights include Hush Puppy at Club Hush, Indie night at Moby, Peep Show at Cornerhouse and for those who enjoy bigger clubs there are great nights to be had at The Empire in Middlesbrough and the massive Tall Trees in Yarm. There's regular comedy at Middlesbrough Town Hall, and Teesside Park has one of the largest multi-screen cinemas in the UK, as well as a 26-lane bowling alley, shops, bars, nightclubs and restaurants - all just 15 minutes away from Queen's Campus.
If your tastes are more classical, the annual Cleveland Classics season brings major UK and international orchestral talent to our area whilst the Tapas Bar in Norton features live Jazz bands from around the region. There are also some excellent theatres in the region, including the Darlington Civic and the Arc.
If you still have a gap in your social diary after all the on and off campus activities, you can always take the regular free shuttle service linking Queen's and Durham City.