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)

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.

We are excited to our first Steampunk Weekend for you to all come and explore! Come along and experience a reimagining of the past, where steam power is the primary energy source, and fantastical inventions await! The Goods Shed is home to the Clocktower Café with delicious cakes, tea and coffee, Hopetown Goods & Gifts and a digital media experience. Explore the North Road Station Museum filled with a variety of Steampunk stalls selling Victoriana, jewellery, clothes, hats and assorted crafts. Table top games Live entertainment and activities Classic vehicle display Tea duelling and Umbrella duelling Photo opportunities throughout the site with onsite photographer Best dressed costume prizes Reallife Marionette Daily promenades along the museum platform and through the Station Garden Engage with the museum’s collections and archive and delve into the history of the Stockton & Darlington Railway. Discover objects and artefacts relating to the development and operation of railways in North East England. Enjoy live music, including Alice Strange (Saturday),Captain of the Lost Waves (Sunday) and the Cogkneys (Sunday).

Welcome to the new Heritage Open weekends at Hopetown Darlington. On the first weekend of every month, we open the doors to Darlington Locomotive Works and the 1861 Shed for you to engage with Darlington’s pioneering and ongoing railway engineering. They’re free to visit and each month will engage with a different railwayrelated theme. The theme for January is BOILERS. Here’s what you can expect at the first Heritage Weekend: Saturday: Family Fun Day Bring the whole family for a lively day of railwaythemed adventures. Set off on a special treasurehunt style trail beginning in North Road Station Museum and guiding young explorers to the Viewing Gallery, into the Darlington Locomotive Workshop and, weather permitting, up to the historic 1861 Shed. Expect plenty of handson fun as you uncover clues and discover the history of locomotives. Join us at 11am or 1pm for Terry’s Talks an engaging, familyfriendly introduction to Darlington’s railway history, featuring the stories of the iconic locomotive Tornado and the Uks newest steam locomotive Prince of Wales. Throughout the day, enjoy interactive demonstrations, including practical activities inspired by boilers and nameplates. Explore the workshops, chat with friendly volunteers, and stop by the merchandise stand for souvenirs to take home. Sunday: Railway Heritage Day Sunday offers a deeper dive for those with a passion for engineering, locomotive history, and heritage railway preservation. Attend Terry’s Talks at 11am or 1pm for a detailed lecture exploring the development of the P2 boiler, with insights into its relationship with the A1 design. Each session includes time for Q&A with the Terry, project manager for the P2 Class No.2007 Prince of Wales. Discover handson demonstrations centred around the newly delivered boiler for the Class P2 and take the opportunity to explore the workshops at your own pace. Knowledgeable volunteers will be on hand throughout the day to discuss current projects and answer questions. Visitors can also browse the merchandise stand, pick up information leaflets, and learn more about how to get involved through volunteer signup opportunities.

Have you got a passion for wheels and motors? If so, you’ll love to hear that classic vehicles are returning to the heart of railway heritage for our inaugural Classic Vehicle Rally. Head on down to Hopetown Darlington to see some of the most beautiful classic cars and motorbikes from decades gone by and chat to their owners. There will be plenty of polishedup vehicles on display for serious enthusiasts and casual visitors to enjoy and pose for those amazing selfies. There will also be vintage stalls for you to rummage through and peruse too. It’s a fantastic day out for enthusiasts and families alike. Admission is totally free of charge.

Welcome... to Jurassic Town. Get ready to have a TRexcellent time at Hopetown Darlington with some very special visitors! Experience the excitement of meeting (almost) real dinosaurs! RentaDinosaur is a theatre company who puppeteer extraordinarily realisticlooking dinosaurs, and perform enchanting theatrical shows guaranteed to amaze and delight. Watch the interactive, comedic and educational show How To Train Your Dinosaur, meet and greet the walkabout dinosaurs (if you dare!),and enjoy feeding time with the Dino Babies! Prehysteric laughter guaranteed! This event is suitable for the whole family. The day will run as follows: 10.30am Dino Walkabout 11.30am Dino Theatre Show 1.00pm Dino Walkabout 2.00pm Dino Theatre Show

Join Hopetown Darlington's popular Railway Coffee Morning. The coffee morning is a men's group open to former railway employees or those with an association with the railways in Darlington and wider area. It's a chance to reminisce about their time on the railways, talk about what's going on in their lives, and to take part in railwaythemed activities together such as regular visits to the 1861 Shed and Darlington Locomotive Works. The group is aimed at men with a former connection with the railways and who may be experiencing social isolation, depression and anxiety and simply just need someone to talk to and a place to meet their mates and make new friends. Railway Coffee Morning is on the last Thursday between 11am12pm and takes place in Clocktower Cafe in the Goods Shed. You can book a site admission ticket if you wish but there’s no need to, you can just turn up. Hope to see you there! p.s. your first drink every week is on the house.

Browse a charming array of vintageinspired stalls in the historic Carriage Works, where the past comes alive in a delightful array of oldfashioned stalls, curiosities, collectables, treasures and timehonoured goods that would make any ration book blush. Perfect for a leisurely Sunday stroll and a spot of shopping. Step into a world of polished brass, pretty china, wellloved books, fine fabrics, collectables, keepsakes and curiosities, all displayed by our wonderful vintage traders for your enjoyment and discovery. Whether you are searching for something special, hunting a little treasure, or simply enjoying a gentle browse, there will be plenty to catch your eye. Enjoy the pleasure of finding something you didn’t even know you were looking for. Wander through a colourful collection of vintage and vintageinspired stalls. A chance to wander, peruse, potter and purchase at your leisure, just as shoppers once did. So take your time, enjoy the atmosphere, have a chat with our stallholders, and perhaps go home with something rather lovely tucked under your arm. Alongside the browsing, enjoy lively entertainment throughout the day, adding energy, music and atmosphere while you shop, stroll and socialise. Come and browse, come and buy, come and enjoy a little step back in time, and take a little piece of the past home with you. Would you like to trade on the Vintage Wares and Wonders day? Get in touch with us.

Step out in style and back in time for our grand finale! Monday will see us fully transported to the 1940s, with a day dedicated to the sights, sounds and spirit of the era. It’s a properly splendid community day full of music, laughter and good old British spirit… the sort that keeps us smiling whatever the weather! There will be lively entertainment in the Goods Yard, rousing tunes, and dancing for those who fancy a turn around the floor, along with a fine display of 1940s era vehicles outside of North Road Station Museum to admire. Enjoy themed food and drinks, inspired by wartime favourites (with a few welcome comforts too!),and have a go at traditional games and activities for young and old. At the heart of it all will be our Community Tea Party because no good gathering is complete without a nice cup of tea, a bit of cake or a scone, and a friendly chat. Do come along, pull up a chair, and enjoy the company. When you have a moment, do head across to Foundry Green where you will find a WW2 Supermarine Spitfire on display. Perfect for a photo opportunity and to learn more about the important role this aircraft served during the war. So, dust off your best hat, polish your shoes, pin on your victory curls or braces, and if you can, come dressed in your finest 1940s fashion. Whether you come to dance, sing, remember, or simply enjoy the atmosphere, you’ll find a warm welcome and plenty of smiles waiting. Expect period vehicles, entertainment and activities worthy of a Home Front celebration. Let’s make a day of it to celebrate community, togetherness, cheer, and everyone just having a jolly good time. Would you like to get involved in 1940s day as a performer, a supplier, a trader or maybe to display a militairy or civilian vehicle? Get in touch with us. A note on period dress. We warmly welcome 1940s military vehicles and 1940s civilians and allied military attire, and we encourage everyone to join in with the spirit of the time. However, we respectfully ask that historic Axis Powers military uniforms, insignia or symbolism are not worn at this event. Our Vintage Weekend is a celebration of community, remembrance and the shared spirit of the era. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.

Join dress historian Lucy Adlington for highlights of Forties fashion in the History Wardrobe collection, with a unique array of garments, from London couture to home thrifting and wellworn uniforms. Discover the fascinating stories and memories behind a refugee’s hat, a bride’s parachute, a sapper’s jerkin, a firefighter’s PJs, a Bletchley Park scarf, a coat from the Coventry bombings and more. Lucy Adlington is author of New York Times bestselling books The Dressmakers of Auschwitz and Four Red Sweaters, in addition to Stitches in Time – the Story of the Clothes We Wear, and Women’s Lives and Clothes in WW2 Ready for Action. Hopetown is thrilled to welcome History Wardrobe back to celebrate our vintage weekend in style!

We're thrilled to welcome the Spectre Detectors for a night of paranormal discovery. North Road Station Museum at night will be the backdrop for an eerie evening with the spirits as the team of Spectre Detectors lead you through a ghosthunting experience. The museum has a history of paranormal stories as a result of reallife events. Paranormal investigators for over 15 years, Elaine Kelly and her team have gathered evidence of hauntings up and down and country and are now heading to our nearly 200 year old museum to discover what lies within. Discover the methods of ghosthunting, including tabletipping, Victorian seance, spirit photography, kinetic SLS camera, automatic writing, spirit box and much more. Spectre Detectors do not use ouji board. This event is for over16s. Please note than spirits and 'spirits' do not mix anyone wishing to participate but are under the influence of drugs or alcohol will be asked to leave and no refund given.

Dance away the decades at our adult-only silent disco! Join us for a night of nostalgia where we'll be hosting an adults' silent disco event to kick off the summer! Get your babysitters booked, because this is an evening designed for the Big Kids (18+)! North Road Station Museum will be transformed into time machine transporting you back to either the 80s, 90s, or 2000s depending which channel you choose! Grab a glowstick, a pair of headphones and get dancing and singing. There will be refreshments to keep you going, and a grownup takeover of Wagon Woods play park will ensure maximum hilarity! Yep you heard that right, we're opening up our playground to the grown up. Trust us, you definitely can fit through the tunnels and down the slide! Tickets are £12 online or £15 on the door. Book online to save! Dust off your legwarmers and party on down! The disco ball awaits... Ages 18+ only. Please bring a form of Photo ID.

The ultimate LEGO® weekend is coming this May 2026. Get ready, Darlington… the bricks are coming and they're bigger than ever! Join Brick Alley members and special guest builders for an unforgettable LEGO extravaganza packed with: Incredible custom LEGO model displays. Handson building zones to unleash your creativity. Fun challenges and activities for all ages. A buzzing marketplace full of pocket‑money treasures, rare sets, and those hard‑to‑find gems every LEGO fan dreams of. Whether you're a seasoned builder, a curious newcomer, or a family looking for a brilliant day out, this two‑day celebration of imagination is one you simply can’t miss.

This is a great opportunity for childminders and their children to meet up and play! Activities will include a range of toys for small world, imaginative and construction play, sensory activities and some messy art.

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.

You will board a beautifully restored 1910 built, luxury Edwardian style London & South Western Railway No.1520 passenger carriage, finished in classic salmon and brown livery. The carriage will be hauled by a selection of locomotives, beginning with Andrew Barclay Works No.2134 known as 'W.T.T". The rides will travel on a newly built heritage railway line with the support of the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust. Further down the line, selected journeys will also be hauled by Darlington’s internationally renowned legend No.60163 ‘Tornado’, as well as our very own Replica Locomotion No.1. This brand new seasonal experience marks a major milestone for the award winning visitor attraction and its onsite partners, offering you the rare opportunity to ride behind historic steam locomotives on the attraction's brand new heritage railway line. The steam ride celebrates Darlington’s pioneering railway story, the enduring legacy of the Stockton & Darlington Railway, and the international significance of the S&DR 200 bicentenary. This is more than a one off attraction, it’s a permanent new experience designed to inspire, excite and be enjoyed by generations to come. From the hiss of steam to the rhythm of the rails, this is a chance for you to experience history in motion. Whether you’re a lifelong railway enthusiast or discovering steam for the first time, get ready to create unforgettable memories where heritage, engineering and family fun steam ahead together.

All aboard for a wonderfully heart‑warming Summer Family Fun Day out! This July, Hopetown Darlington invites you to celebrate the start of the school holidays with a meet and greet with Britain’s favourite bear – Paddington™! Bring the whole family for a day packed with pawsome activities from charming photo opportunities to outdoor screenings of Paddington 2 on our Screen on the Green, and of course the Meet and Greet with Paddington. The fun never stops. Whether you’re young, old, or simply fond of Britain’s most beloved bear in his blue duffle coat, this family fun day promises a spectacular celebration filled with laughter and adventure. WHAT’S ON: Meet & greet with Paddington™ Screen on the green – outdoor cinema Tornado in the spotlight Creative workshop Picnic spots aplenty