Teessaurus Park Middlesbrough Review: Everything You Need To Know (2026)

Nestled right in the industrial heart of Teesside you'll find Teessaurus Park, a free dinosaur themed park in Middlesbrough featuring huge steel dinosaur sculptures. You'll also find a play park and riverside walking routes. Its certainly one of the more unusual family attractions in Teesside and makes for a brilliant free day out in the North East for young dinosaur fans.

^{[Post updated June 2026]}

The History of Teessaurus Park

The park was first established in 1979 as commissioning sculptor Genevieve Glatt crafted a £16,000 life sized triceratops names Teessaurus. This was originally conceived as an entry for the Art to Landscape competition by the Sunday Times and the Arts Council. This particular competition honed in on public spaces across the UK that were under used and could be enlivened to benefit the community. Something I feel suits the site perfectly.

Evolution of Teessaurus Park

Since the late seventies the park has only grown to be more vibrant. Further dinosaurs were introduced to the park in the 1980's. Specifically, in 1987 when two baby triceratops were added to accompany the original sculpture. From the late '80s onwards, various other dinosaurs were introduced into the park, including a Mammoth, Stegosaurus, Tyrannosaurus Rex, Brachiosaurus, and a Brontosaurus. These additional dinosaurs were made by workers on the government Youth and Employment Training Scheme at Amarc Training and Safety. Just recently the dinosaurs have undergone a more lively paint job which makes the park feel much more inviting.

Visiting Teessaurus Park

How to get to Teessaurus Park

Interestingly and not surprisingly given that the dinosaurs are made out of local steel you'll find Teessaurus Park in the heart of the steel city. Stay on the Boro side of the River Tees and make your way through Riverside Park Industrial Estate to find the dinos. For sat nav please use the following details:

Teessaurus Park, Riverside Park Road, Middlesbrough, TS2 1QE

Teessaurus Park What 3 words location: with.sleeps.poem

What Dinosaurs Can You See at Teessaurus Park?

Teessaurus Park is obviously known for its striking collection of life sized steel dinosaur sculptures, which are dotted around the riverside landscape. They were created as public artworks and have become one of Middlesbrough’s most recognisable attractions. Here are the main dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures you can see during your visit:

Tyrannosaurus Rex

The T-Rex is one of the standout sculptures in the park. It’s instantly recognisable with its large head, powerful stance and sharp teeth. This is often the dinosaur that children head to first, and it’s one of the most photographed pieces in the park.

_{[T-Rex sculpture during our visit to Teessaurus Park April 2026]}

Triceratops

The Triceratops sculpture is another favourite, known for its distinctive frill and three facial horns. It’s positioned on the hillside in a more open area, alongside its two babies.

Stegosaurus

With its row of large plates along its back, the Stegosaurus is one of the most visually interesting dinosaurs in the park. It’s a great one for children to spot because of its rainbow spines.

Brachiosaurus

The Brachiosaurus stands out because of its long neck, which towers above many of the other sculptures. It gives a real sense of scale and helps make the park feel more immersive.

Woolly Mammoth

Although not technically a dinosaur, the Woolly Mammoth is often included in the same group and is one of the most impressive sculptures in the collection. Its large tusks and bulky frame make it a memorable stop on the route around the park.

What Facilities Are There At Teessaurus Park?

Unfortunately there are very little facilities at Teessaurus Park. There are no toilets and there's no food truck or snack options at the park. I'd definitely recommend packing up a picnic, especially if you're going on a hot summer's day. There are however plenty of food options nearby in Middlesbrough or Teesside Park.

Is It Free To Visit Teessaurus Park?

Luckily for me (and for you) it's completely free to visit the park. The car park is also free meaning it's a super affordable day out for you and your family.

Is Teessaurus Park Accessible?

There is a gravel track which runs around the outside of the green area of park. From here you can see all bar the two baby stegosaurus' at the top of the hill. This particular track is accessible and would be suitable for prams and wheelchairs, however the grassed hill wouldn't be. Regardless of this I'd still say the Teesside attraction is worth visiting for those with access needs.

My Review of Teessaurus Park

We've visited Teessaurus Park on a number of different occasions now across a variety of different seasons. Both myself and my children have always enjoyed it. It's a lovely way to spend a morning or afternoon and I'm sure we'll be going again soon.

The dinosaurs are definitely show stopper! They're all huge, but some of them are HUGE! The trail isn't particularly long so I decided to leave the pram at home for my two year old. A wise decision as she wanted to be up close and personal with all the dinos. That was after she realised they weren't real. We had a bit of a scary moment to begin with when a plane was flying overhead and she thought it was a real life ROAR. The recent paint job has definitely make the dinosaurs feel more vibrant and exciting. It's lovely to see something so big and bright on the horizon of the industrialised Tees.

My girls enjoyed looking at the information plaques that come with each dinosaur. They led to lots of questions (as you can imagine from a five year old), some of which I could answer, some of which I could not! The plaques are also interactive with a QR code at the bottom which you can scan for more information. Unfortunately I couldn't get this to work which was a shame as I was getting quite into the dinosaur facts myself.

The play park is perfect for my kids too. It's definitely aimed at younger children as unfortunately there's not a lot there that would interest an older children or teens. You'll find a zip line, roundabout, slide and activity apparatus. It's enough for my two, however I can't help but think it's not as substantial as it could or should be. The play park is a newer addition to Teessaurus Park so perhaps there's more to come? Let's hope so!

Is Teessaurus Park Worth Visiting?

Yes! I do think the park is worth visiting, however it's a 1-1.5 hour excursion max. So do be prepared that it's not an all day thing. It's something I'd suggest when the morning is sunny, but the afternoon is rainy. One of those awkward type days. I'd also recommend perhaps tying this in with Butterfly World or Teesside Park if you're looking for a full days adventure. From here you can easily join the Riverside Walk which will take you right up to Stockton and the Tees Barrage.

5 Reasons to Visit Teessaurus Park

1. It won't cost you a penny to visit. Teessaurus Park is a FREE day out.
2. You can visit at any time, there are no restrictions
3. It's brilliant for learning dinosaur facts
4. Teessaurus Park is usually pretty quiet
5. Great for children, the space is very engaging in both an educational and free play sense

Have you visited Teessaurus Park before? Do you think it's something you or your kids would be into?

Teessaurus Park FAQs

1. Is Teessaurus Park free?

Yes. Teessaurus Park is completely free to visit. There is no admission charge at all, making it one of the best free family days out in Middlesbrough and the wider Teesside area.

2. Where is Teessaurus Park?

Teessaurus Park is located in Riverside Park, Middlesbrough, on the south bank of the River Tees. If you're travelling by car use the postcode TS2 1QE

3. Is there parking at Teessaurus Park?

Yes, there is free parking available near Teessaurus Park. You can see the dinosaur sculptures from the car park so it's only a short walk away from the attraction. The car park is only relatively small, however on every occasion we've been there's been plenty of spaces available.

4. How long do you need at Teessaurus Park?

We usually spend an hour or so at Teessaurus Park. I'd say your day would be very weather dependent though. If you go on a glorious sunny day with a picnic you could easily spend half a day there.

5. Is Teessaurus Park suitable for toddlers?

Yes, Teessaurus Park is well suited to toddlers and younger children. The dinosaur sculptures are a big attraction for little dinosaur fans, and there is a play area designed for children to enjoy. The open green spaces also provide plenty of room for running around and exploring.

6. Is Teessaurus Park wheelchair accessible?

Much of Teessaurus Park is accessible for wheelchair users and pushchairs thanks to the gravelled pathways around the site. However, the grassy, hillier areas could pose some trouble, especially during wet weather.

7. Can you take dogs to Teessaurus Park?

Absolutely. Many local dog walkers use the riverside paths and open spaces around the park for dog walks. As with most public parks, owners should keep dogs under control and clean up after them.

8. Are there toilets at Teessaurus Park?

Unfortunately there are no permanent public toilets directly within Teessaurus Park. If you're visiting with young children, it's worth planning ahead and using facilities before arriving. Nearby supermarkets, retail parks or town centre facilities may be the closest alternatives.