WELCOME TO HOPETOWN DARLINGTON

It's the bicentenary year!

Discover Darlington's story of engineering, ideas and invention

  • Monday - We have closed for the day, we reopen tomorrow.

What's On

Curator's Tour

Wednesday 26 March - Wednesday 30 April ,10:30 - 10:30

Railway Pioneers

Friday 4 April - Sunday 22 June ,10:00 - 16:30

S&DR200 Presents

a festival celebrating the birth of the modern railway, March to November 2025

WHAT'S HERE

The Goods Shed

The Goods Shed

Housing a shop and cafe as well as a new digital media experience, this Grade II* listed building is the gateway to the site.

North Road Station Museum

North Road Station Museum

Explore the story of Darlington’s pioneering progression of rail transport in the early 19th century in a museum housed in a Grade II* listed Victorian station.

The Carriage Works

The Carriage Works

Visit exciting events and exhibitions in the Exhibition Hall or explore our vast 30,000 railway collection in The Stores, both found in the Carriage Works

The Stores

The Stores

Engage with our collection and archive and delve into the history of the railways in Darlington and North East England from 1825 until the late 20th century.

Exhibition Hall

Exhibition Hall

Located within the Carriage Works, the Exhibitions Hall is where you can visit spectacular exhibitions and seasonal events including Halloween and Christmas.

Darlington Locomotive Works

Darlington Locomotive Works

Watch live engineering in action in the home of the A1 Steam Locomotive Trust. Come and see volunteers build the UK's newest steam locomotive, Prince of Wales.

1861 Shed

1861 Shed

Home to our partners Darlington Railway Preservation Society and North Eastern Locomotive Preservation Group.

Skerne Bridge

Skerne Bridge

The oldest operating railway bridge in the world, Skerne Bridge is a testament to the history of engineering on the Stockton & Darlington Railway.

Foundry Green

Foundry Green

Relax, exercise, enjoy a picnic, walk the dog - or join us for a special event or festival in this vibrant outdoor space.

Lime Cells

Lime Cells

A rare example of an early railway structure, the Lime Cells are one of the earliest known railway-associated buildings in England.

GROUP VISITS

Our group packages offer exciting and unforgettable memories. Join us for a visit like no other to discover Darlington's railway heritage.

STORIES

Lily Laundry Lady

Meet Dorothy, otherwise known as they the Lily Laundry Lady, and listen to her story about one of our items in our collection...

Double Award Win

We won big at the Heritage Railway Association Awards, brining our award total since opening to six seperate awards and accolades

S&DR200 festival launch

The S&DR200 festival will launch with All Change, a spectacular open-air event in Bishop Auckland combining dazzling projections, drones and performances.

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