Extreme Weather Promise

...so here's a little guidance on planning your visit during the more inclement months

Hopetown Darlington is an indoor and outdoor site spread over 7.5 acres of historic railway land.

You’ll want to take your time to enjoy strolling the grounds between our beautiful buildings, so we recommend wrapping up warm on colder days!

Wagon Woods, our pay-to-enter outdoor play park, is designed to be playable in wet and snowy weather, but please ensure you check the forecast before your visit and wear appropriate clothing.

In the case of a Met Office weather warning covering Darlington and/or the site, we may choose to close sections of the site in the interest of safety and comfort.

A yellow wind warning is all it can take to close Wagon Woods and the Viewing Gallery for safety reasons. 

Weather alerts will be placed on our website when necessary.

Our Events team will have discussed wet weather alternative options for birthday parties with the booker prior to the birthday party.

If you choose to visit us and, if needed, you can purchase umbrellas in Hopetown Goods & Gifts.

The Extreme Weather Promise

The promise automatically applies in the case of a Met Office weather warning leading to our operational team on a decision to close areas of the visitor attraction. The assessment and decision of the Welcome Manager is final.

Visitors with pre-booked tickets to the paid for elements of the site on extreme weather days will be automatically refunded.

Please note: only areas of the site which have been closed will qualify you for an automatic refund. For example, if you have booked both Wagon Woods and Experiment! and we have closed Wagon Woods, you will only be refunded for Wagon Woods and not Experiment!.

We would kindly remind you that our tickets are normally non-refundable, as set out in our terms and conditions of sale. Those visitors who have set up a Hopetown Darlington account are able to change the date of their booking up to 24 hours prior to arrival.