Middlesbrough Hydraulic Clock Tower
📍 Middlesbrough TS2 1AD, UK
About Middlesbrough Hydraulic Clock Tower
Standing proudly in the Middlehaven area, the Middlesbrough Hydraulic Clock Tower is an iconic Grade II listed structure and a compelling piece of the town's industrial heritage. Built between 1870 and 1903, it replaced an earlier tower from 1847, serving as a vital landmark for ships approaching the docks. Its distinctive design and fascinating history make it a noteworthy sight for visitors exploring Middlesbrough.
This historic monument is celebrated by visitors, boasting an excellent Google rating of 4.5/5 stars. Reviewers frequently highlight its status as an enduring Middlesbrough landmark and its unique architectural details. One particularly intriguing feature is its original design with only three clock faces, reputedly to discourage dockside workers from clock-watching. It also once featured a small balcony that served as a look-out point, providing a historical glimpse into its maritime importance.
Visiting Information
The Middlesbrough Hydraulic Clock Tower is an outdoor monument, accessible to the public at all times. Visitors can appreciate its historic architecture and significance throughout the day and night.
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📍 Middlesbrough TS2 1AD, UK
from 20 reviews
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Showing 5 of 20 reviews from Google Maps.Last updated 5 February 2026.
Another iconic middlesbrough landmark thankfully still standing. The clock tower, in the Middlehaven area of Middlesbrough, was built by architect John Middleton in 1847. It was a noted landmark for approaching ships and just beneath the faces of the clock there was a little balcony for a look-out. Although the tower had four sides, there were only three clock-faces. It was said that a local ironworks, or a shipyard, that faced the blank clock face from the docks area didn't want its workers clock watching. The clock was paid for by public subscription. During a rebuild of Middlesbrough's dock either around 1870 or as late as 1903 this replacement was built. The tower doubled as a clock tower and a water tower to provide the hydraulic power to operate the dock gates and cranes. This dual use led to its shape: a bulky bottom to house the water, and a slender top for the clock. The tower was restored in 2005 as part of the development of the Middlehaven area on town.
The clock tower we see today was built between 1870 to 1903, it replaced an earlier clock tower from 1847, built with only three clock faces due to the industrialist not wanting the workers on the dockside clock watching, awarded a grade 2 listed structure.
Another piece of Middlesbrough history in need of TLC. The landscaping needs to be tended as people have been sleeping rough here, and bits of tents and possessions are scattered about.
One of the last, original, buildings standing in Middlesbrough Dock. A nice, monument to Middlesbrough's industrial past and a contrast to the great, new, developments in this area.
Great piece of historical architecture, let down by the surrounding scrubland; needs some decent landscaping