Hopetown Darlington / Tees Valley | Discover Britain's Museums

Hopetown Darlington

Hopetown Darlington is the North of England's newest visitor attraction. It celebrates the town's pioneering railway heritage. Afterall, it was there where the world's first ever steam hauled passenger railway journey took place 200 years ago.

The journey crossed over Skerne Bridge, which still stands today and has the distinction of being the oldest railway bridge still in operation in the entire world.

There's an exciting programme of exhibitions, events and activities taking place throughout the whole of the 2025 to celebrate the bicentenary. The attraction also encompasses the Grade II* North Road Station Museum exploring Darlington's 200-year pioneering railway heritage, a café and shop in the beautifully restored Grade II* listed Goods Shed, Wagon Woods - the railway-themed adventure play park, and The Grade II listed Carriage Works where you can discover their 30,000+ item heritage collection.

There's also chance to view live engineering at Darlington Locomotive Works where you can see the UK's newest locomotive, the Prince of Wales, under construction!

Recently opened is the railway-themed time travel immersive experience ride Experiment!. The ride takes visitors on a journey through time to explore Darlington's influence on railways around the world.

Make sure to also try their exclusive ice cream - the Black Diamond. Open six days a week (seven days during the school holidays!) make sure to include a visit for a ton of railway-themed fun.