AWARDS SEASON
When someone asks us what our favourite season is, we answer with "awards season".
VisitEngland VAQAS Accolade
On Monday 12 August, we were awarded 94% in a recent inspection by VisitEngland’s Quality Assured Visitor Attraction Scheme (VAQAS), thus receiving the VisitEngland Quality Assured Visitor Attraction Marque.
VAQAS is a recognised accreditation covering a broad range of attractions including visitor attractions, museums, art galleries, safari parks, gardens, historic houses, theme parks.
The assessor praised the interpretation in North Road Station Museum, saying “the range of content was superb with the story of the railways and Darlington's role in this significant time in history retold in creative and imaginative ways to appeal to a wide range of ages and levels of interest.”
The assessor also complemented the redevelopment, saying “The historic buildings have been lovingly restored to a very high standard and brought back into use while retaining many original features such as the Booking Office and Toilets. New additions such as the tower leading to the Locomotive Works and the Experiment have bold, modern designs to complement the railway heritage. Having only been open 3 weeks the standards of décor were excellent throughout.”
In recognition of this award, Natalie Collins, Visitor Experience Manager at Hopetown Darlington said: “that they will continue to review their visitor experience as part of ongoing future planning and feedback from visitors.”
Leona White-Hannant, Development Director said: “Given that we have only been open for two weeks at the time of the visit, it is a fantastic achievement and testament to everyone’s hard work.”
Councillor Libby McCollom, Cabinet Member for Local Services, said: “The feedback from visitors has been incredibly positive in our first few weeks of operation. I am delighted that the high quality of experience, and the work of everyone involved, is being recognised by VisitEngland and hope that more people will visit and enjoy Hopetown Darlington as we build towards our 2025 celebrations”
VisitEngland WELCOME Accolade
On Thursday 24 October, we were awarded the WELCOME accolade by VisitEngland.
The accolades recognises excellence within the visitor attraction sector, and was awarded based on scores obtained in their annual VisitEngland Visitor Attraction Quality Scheme (VAQAS) assessment.
VisitEngland Director Andrew Stokes said: “The Visitor Attraction accolades highlight the wonderful visitor experiences provided by English attractions, from the warmest of welcomes to amazing food and drink, from great storytelling to outstanding customer service.
“Our tourism businesses are the bedrock of our industry and it is wonderful to highlight and celebrate the fantastic service and experiences they give visitors, time-after-time. From museums, gardens and nature reserves to farm attractions, estates and theme parks, these attractions go out of their way to make visits memorable.”
Councillor Libby McCollom, Cabinet Member for Local Services, said: “I am delighted that the high quality of experience is being recognised by VisitEngland. This award reflects the outstanding customer service provided every day at Hopetown Darlington. I hope that more people will visit and enjoy Hopetown Darlington as we build towards our 2025 celebrations”
North East Culture Awards - WINNER
On Thursday 28 November, we won the highly prestigious North East Culture Award 2024 for Best Museum or Cultural Venue.
The award recognises the impact we have had in both Darlington and the wider region, and is a testament to all of the staff and partners who tell the story of Darlington's pioneering railway heritage.
The North East Culture Awards are an annual celebration of the thriving arts and cultural scene in the North East of England. They are organised by Reach plc, one of Britain's biggest newspaper groups.
Other nominees in the Best Museum or Cultural Venue category included Beamish the Living Museum of the North, Laurels and The Story.
The quality of submissions was high, and the impressive level of entries meant there was much debate at an intense session for the panel of judges drawn from arts and culture organisations across the region.
Leona White-Hannant, Hopetown Darlington’s Development Director, said: “I am delighted that Hopetown Darlington has won the North East Culture Award for Best Museum 2024. It is fantastic that our new visitor attraction, which only opened in July of this year, has been acknowledged by the panel as the best museum in the region. It is a testament to all the hard work from the whole team to not only give visitors the best experience, but to help celebrate and promote our railway heritage.”
Councillor Libby McCollom, Cabinet Member for Local Services, said: “I am incredibly proud of this fantastic achievement for Hopetown Darlington. This award shows that Hopetown is excelling in its mission to tell Darlington’s pioneering railway heritage to all generations through playful and innovative ways. Hopetown Darlington is special jewel in the crown for tourism in Darlington and the wider region.”
The award ceremony, which was headline partnered by Sunderland City Council and the University of Sunderland - and supported by Arts Council England - was held at the Fire Station venue in Sunderland.
County Durham Together Awards - WINNER
On Thursday 5 December, we also won the Visitor Economy Award at the County Durham Together Awards 2024.
The ceremony, held at Hardwick Hall on Thursday evening, comes exactly a week after winning the North East Culture Award for Best Museum or Cultural Venue 2024 and hot on the heels of the Welcome accolade and Quality Assessed Visitor Attraction accolade awarded by VisitEngland.
The Visitor Economy Award recognises an individual, organisation or business who play a vital role in promoting the county as a safe and great place to visit, supporting the hospitality and tourism sector, and to help visitor economy.
We are over the moon to win the award and would like all of the staff and partners who tell the story of Darlington's pioneering railway heritage here at Hopetown Darlington. We'd also like to send a huge thank you to our visitors and local community.
Leona White-Hannant, Hopetown Darlington’s Development Director, said: “The entire team are so grateful for this award win. Everybody across Hopetown works really hard to provide a quality visit for every visitor. We are really proud to work with local suppliers who provide our food and beverage and supply the stock in our shop.”
Other nominees in the Visitor Economy Award category included Bowes Museum and Weardale Railway.
Councillor Libby McCollom, Cabinet Member for Local Services, said: “Hopetown Darlington should be immensely proud of winning this award, which recognises the incredibly hard work undertaken by the team to make Hopetown Darlington a must-visit attraction in the region.”
Find out more about this triple award winning venue by visiting us.