Important Information for September 27
Saturday 27 September marks the Anniversary Journey - the cumulation of the S&DR200 Festival in Darlington.
Tickets for the Anniversary Journey, Titans of Steam as well as the morning and afternoon sessions on Saturday 27 September are fully booked. If you do not have your tickets, you will not be able to access the site or the viewing area on this date.
It's going to be a very busy day, so if you're visiting Hopetown Darlington then please read the information below to ensure you can have a safe, comfortable, and memorable trip. If you've not managed to get your tickets in time, there's information below on events in the Market Square.
Before the Journey
If you've booked tickets for Morning Site Admission for Hopetown Darlington, you can visit us between 9am - 11.30am. Please note, tickets for the afternoon are not valid on the morning - you must have booked for the morning tickets specifically. These tickets are now fully booked, so please only visit if you have one, or if you have a ticket to Titans of Steam on the 27th.
Hopetown Darlington will then close at 11.30am for all visitors and there will be no site admission between 11.30am and 1.30pm. Those with tickets to the Anniversary Journey will then need to make their way to the Skerne Bridge car park, where their tickets will be checked.
If you haven't got tickets to Hopetown Darlington in the morning but you do have Anniversary Journey tickets, please make your way down to the Skerne Bridge car park at from 10am to get into position - the journey itself will take place from 12noon. Please be aware, there may be a queue as tickets and bags are checked.
After the Journey
Hopetown Darlington reopens at 1.30pm.
Once the Anniversary Journey has been completed, the audience will be ushered safely out of the car park. If you have an Afternoon Site Admission ticket to Hopetown Darlington (or a ticket to Titans of Steam on the 27th), you are welcome to enter the site. If you do not have either of these, unfortunately you will not be able to be admitted. Hopetown Darlington will operate as normal until 5pm.
What if I don't have tickets?
If you don't have tickets to the Anniversary Journey or Hopetown Darlington, don't worry. You can view the crossing of the replica Locomotion Number 1 on a large-screen livestream in Darlington town centre in the Market Square.
There are plenty of other festivities on the day in the town centre, including a Rock Choir at 11am, Hurworth Brass Band at 12.30pm, The Daisy Belles at 2pm, and That 80s Band at 3.30pm.
What should I do if I can no longer come?
If you can't come to the Anniversary Journey or Hopetown Darlington on the 27th, please cancel your ticket through your Hopetown ticketing account or contact us directly as we have a waiting list of people who would like to attend.
What should I do about parking?
Skerne Bridge car park will be totally inaccessible to vehicles on September 27. This means you will need to find alternative parking, walk, bike, use public transport, or utilise the park-and-ride service. The park-and-ride service is just £5 per car, and you can pre-book your spot here. The park-and-ride is located at Mowden Rugby Club.
Travel information
CAR
If you plan to reach us by car, a Park and Ride service is in operation from the Northern Echo Arena. £5 per vehicle. The bus will pick up from the arena, drop off on Valley Street near to Skerne Bridge Car Park, and return to the arena via a stop on Crown Street in the town centre. You can book in advance or pay on arrival. Tickets - https://tickets.hopetowndarlington.co.uk/#eventcalendar_198
BUS
Busses are in operation but are diverted due to the road closures. You can find more information on the Arriva website - https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/.../service-disruption-in...
WALK / BIKE
If you live locally and are able to, please walk or cycle where possible.
TRAIN
Trains to and from North Road Station run normally until 11.30am, and after 1.40pm. Between 11.30am-1.40pm, a rail replacement bus - operated by Arriva North East - will be in operation between Bishop Auckland and Darlington. Busses will safely pick up and drop near to the junction of Hopetown Lane and Widdowfield Street.
Please allow extra time for your journey. We apologise in advance for any inconvenience.