Wagon Woods

It's experimentation and innovation that put Darlington on the map - and it all starts with play.

The Stockton & Darlington Railway wasn’t the achievement of one person alone – it was the result of working together to make discoveries and solve problems. Not just grown-ups, but children too!

The rope has snapped and the coal wagons are hurtling down the hill. There’s nothing to stop them – until local children derail them with logs and save the day! Sounds exciting? It’s a true story! Those children lived near the Brusselton Incline, a Georgian feat of engineering which was part of the Stockton & Darlington Railway.

Based on the Brusselton Incline, Wagon Woods is Hopetown Darlington’s outdoor adventure play park designed and built by CAP.CO, the experts behind adventure play at Sandringham Estate, Blenheim Palace, and The Plotters’ Forest at Raby Castle.

With intersecting rail-track walkways, a chimney to climb, and a 50 metre boardwalk through the trees, Wagon Woods has been 3.5 years in the making. Developed in consultation with local primary schools and childminders, the play park includes an accessible incline track with interactive features and a companion slide suitable for wheelchair users.

Including a specially-designed toddler area, Wagon Woods is a day out for all the family.

Bring friends and make new ones to have fun, solve puzzles and make discoveries together!

All tickets are valid for an hour of play, with adults and children under 1 admitted free of charge. All adults attending Wagon Woods must have at least one participating child in their party.

Wagon Woods is sponsored by Homes by Esh.