Have you ever wondered what it would be like to work with the pieces that make up a museum collection? Now you can ona special tour of North Road Station Museum and The Stores. Join Alison, our Collections Engagement Manager, on a Curator’s tour to view the highlights of Darlington’s internationally significant railway heritage. Discover why we chose certain stories for the Museum’s displays and the significance of the railway objects in our 30,000 item collection.

Come and celebrate the culmination of the S&DR200 festival at Hopetown Darlington on 27th September 2025. The replica Locomotion No.1 will be returning to the birthplace of passenger railways to reenact that infamous journey from 200 years ago across Skerne Bridge. John Street Car Park will be transformed into the perfect celebratory viewing area for 8000 spectators to watch this spectacular event. Book your free tickets to the Anniversary Journey viewing area as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. Once they're gone, they're gone. alternative parking arrangements are being made. Further details will be revealed soon.

Discover our programme of workshops aimed at children aged 610. From taking an in-depth look at a small selection of the 30,000 objects in our collection in The Stores, handling objects like a curator and complete short interactive activities, to finding out the untold history of Darlington, its association with the railways and how we tell this pioneering history, there's plenty of workshops to complete your home educating programme. Workshops are followed by one hours play in Wagon Woods.

Discover our programme of workshops aimed at children aged 1016. From taking an indepth look at a small selection of the 30,000 objects in our collection in The Stores, handling objects like a curator and complete short interastive activities, to finding out the untold history of Darlington, its association with the railways and how we tell this pioneering history, there's plenty of workshops to completement your home educating programme. Workshops are followed by one hours play in Wagon Woods.

Hopetown Darlington is pleased to welcome the North Eastern Railway Association with their programme of fascinating talks. These lectures focus on a range of railway topics, and include a Q&A session. MARCH 8TH Repression to Recognition: Walter Hudson and the growth of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants from 1867 to 1897 (Ian Mitchell) JUNE 7TH Getting to Wearhead: The S&DR and the NER in Weardale (John Addyman) SEPTEMBER 6TH William Bouch of Shildon Locomotive Engineer (Neil Mackay)

Get your free ticket to Hopetown Darlington! Site Admission tickets cover entry to North Road Station Museum, the Goods Shed, The Stores, Clocktower Café, Darlington Locomotive Works Viewing Gallery and our beautiful outdoor spaces. Enjoy your visit!

On the evening of 7 May 1945, the BBC announced the end of the Second World War in Europe. The following day was designated Victory in Europe Day, a national holiday celebrated with jubilation. People engaged in street parties, dancing and singing to mark the victory, with bunting, flags and bonfires aplenty. Preparations are underway for a special 80th VE Day celebration at Hopetown Darlington to take place on Monday 5 May 2025 between 10am5pm. The free to visit event will include Traditional street tea parties in the Goods Yard Union Jack bunting and flags Wartime music Performances by HC Vocal Academy, Kellen Dance Academy, Voices of Darlington and Fitlab GOLD Many thanks to the S&DR26 Miles Community Partnership team for supporthing this event.

Join our curator Alison Grange for an indepth tour of S&DR200 Presents Railway Pioneers Celebrating the Railway Rockstars of the Past. Three iconic locomotives will be on show illustrating the advancements of rail technology in the early 19th century and the engineering innovation which led to the opening of Stockton & Darlington Railway. On display is Locomotion No. 1, designed and driven by George Stephenson on the historical first journey in 1825, Penydarren, designed by Richard Trevithick in 1804 and Steam Elephant, designed by John Buddle and William Chapman in 1815. Alison will give you a comprehensive overview of the history and significance of these three iconic locomotives, what links them together and the story of pulling them together for the exhibition. This a definite must for heritage enthusiasts and novices alike! Tours are recommended for over-16s.

Join rail historian and author Richard Barber at Hopetown Darlington for a very special talk on this most significant year the bicentenary of the Stockton & Darlington Railway that kick started the birth of the modern railway. We'll take a look back on the 1875, 1925 and 1975 S&DR anniversary celebrations, and the planned celebrations of 2000 and 2025. Free of charge and recommended for ages 16+.

Visit Hopetown Darlington with your fourlegged companion for a fantastic outdoor fun day presented by Great Paws and Hopetown Darlington. Complete with trader stalls, haveago areas, dog photography spots, and a 7.5 acre site to explore, this is the perfect doggytraining event where you can learn new training tips, have a bit of friendly competition with other owners, and make new friends. Haveago areas include Hoopers, a search area, and a rocket run. There are a limited number of tickets, so book early to avoid disappointment! This event takes place in the outdoor spaces of Hopetown Darlington as well as the Clocktower Café; dogs are not permitted in other indoor areas (such as North Road Station Museum, The Carriage Works, and the Viewing Gallery). This is an event for dogs comfortable around other dogs and people, and leads are to be used around the site. Please ensure that your dog is comfortable attending an event with loud noise, food, children, and many other dogs. And... remember those poop bags.

Hopetown Darlington presents Comic Con in collaboration with Cute Fox Events. Hopetown comic con promises to be a great value day out for all the family offering attractions such as photo opportunities, walkabout characters, traders and lots more – including celebrity guest appearances. Confirmed guests include Phil Fletcher and Hacker T Dog from CBBC, and Saracen from the original Gladiators TV series. Dene Michael, former singer of the band Black Lace will be joining us at Hopetown Comic Con in February! More names will be confirmed soon! Attractions at Comic Con include walkabout characters, Tyne Tees Ghostbusters, R2D2, Dalek Dominic, Star Warsthemed North East Legion and their green screen photo opportunity, face painting, Ray Philips (sculptor and modeller), local comic artists Dan Walls and Gary Whitlock, L&P Paranormal investigators and a cosplay competition. The star attraction will be the DeLorean DMC car. Made famous by the Back To The Future filmseries, sit in the car for the ultimate photo opportunity. "Great Scott!" Come dressed up! We want to see as many of you in your awesome outfits and costumes as possible.

Come and join us at Hopetown Darlington for afternoons of creativity and relaxation. Learn new techniques and make new friends in a calm and welcoming environment. Make something for yourself, friends or family. Led by local artist Dawn Belshaw. Engaging in creative activities can promote mindfulness, which can help reduce stress. By focusing on the creative process you can help reduce anxiety, relax and promote positivity, giving you a sense of accomplishment and a boost of self esteem. Wellness Wednesdays are held in the Clocktower Café. Here's What's On... 7th May IRIS FOLDING Find out how to make the most beautiful cards and decorations with the simplest of materials. Iris folding is the skill of creation using colours, paper and card. 14th May BEADED SPIDER Create a whimsical decorative spider using wire and beadwork. 21st May FLOWER POUNDING This botanical activity creates gorgeous prints from flowers and leaves pounded onto material and paper. Prepare for some very noisy (but therapeutic!) fun and giggles. 4th June FELTED FLOWERS Create beautiful wet felted flowers using wool, soap, water and a little elbow grease! This fun and tactile craft involves shaping colourful wool into stunning floral designs. 11th June COLLAGE CRAFTING Unleash your creativity in this playful and expressive mixed media collage workshop. 18th June ONESTROKE PAINTING Discover the magic of one stroke painting, an eyecatchingly graphic and decorative painting technique. 25th June SPIRILLA This fun and engaging craft technique uses coloured thread to form beautiful geometric patterns by winding thread around a pre cut template. 2nd July ART IN MOTION A Walking Art Session Step outside and let the outside inspire your creativity walking around the grounds of Hopetown, sketching and discovering hidden details in your surroundings. 9th July NEEDLE FELTED SHEEP In this delightfully woolly workshop you'll create an adorable little sheep using wool roving and felting needles. 16th July BOTANICAL GELLI PRINTING Get inspired by nature and explore the vibrant world of botanical gelli printing. All workshops are standalone sessions. No prior experience necessary!

Darlington Pride is back this summer and there are plenty of activities lined up across the whole weekend! Pride is all about inclusivity and celebration, and for 2025 Pride in the Park is coming to Hopetown Darlington! Come and join the fun, celebrate the LGBTQ+ community, and create a party atmosphere! Hopetown’s luscious outdoor spaces are the perfect location for a relaxed, familyfriendly pride picnic with crafts, face painting, live music by Tracks Darlington, bubbles and storytelling. There will be delicious lunches and sweet treats available from the Clocktower Café, or feel free to bring a picnic and join in the fun! The fun starts at 10am until 5pm with the main event running between 12pm until 3pm.

All aboard Experiment! Experience Hopetown Darlington's immersive timetravel ride.

This time soon in a visitor attraction not too far away… A NEW HOPE(TOWN): Stormtroopers have landed at Darlington’s award-winning visitor attraction on planet Hoperon Darlingoth, send by Emperor Nerm. They have heard of a new power called Hopetown Darlington which is taking the region by storm, and they’re here on a reconnaissance mission with some of your other Star Wars favourites to check it out. Come to planet Hoperon Darlingoth for a galactic Star Wars themed day out! There'll be walk about characters, space-themed activities, music and more! We might not have the Millennium Falcon but we've got the next best thing... Experiment!... the immersive experience ride that takes you on a journey through time and around planet earth. Chewy loved it, he told our welcome manager "GGGWARRRHHWWWW". Admission fee? None there is. Save money you will. The force will be strong. May the 4th be with you.

Join Pimms & Needles at Hopetown Darlington, for creative adult crafting workshops. What's On... 1 JUNE CHOCOLATE MAKING Attend an exciting chocolate workshop where you will have the opportunity to make five delicious truffles, while delving into the fascinating history of how chocolate made its way to the UK. This handson experience is perfect for chocolate lovers of all ages, whether you're a beginner or have some experience in chocolate making. 6 JULY TEA BLENDING Join us for an engaging workshop where you will delve into the historical journey of tea and how it became a staple drink in the UK. This workshop is designed not only to educate but also to provide a sensory experience that includes smelling and tasting various loose teas. Participants will have the unique opportunity to create their very own custom tea blend to take home. 7 SEPTEMBER VINTAGE CHINA TEACUP CANDLES A truly unique candlemaking workshop where you will create your very own candle in a vintage china teacup. This handson experience not only allows you to craft a beautiful and functional piece but also provides an opportunity to learn about the fascinating history of porcelain and its journey to the UK.