About
Hopetown Darlington is an award-winning railway-themed visitor attraction in the birthplace of the modern railway, located on the historic Stockton & Darlington Railway route. Whether your group is visiting for a few hours or spending the whole day with us, we can help create a bespoke itinerary packed with fascinating stories, heritage and hands-on discovery.
Discover Darlington's world-changing railway story through historic buildings, exhibitions and interactive experiences, including Wagon Woods and the UK's No.1 Time Travel Ride, Experiment!. Groups receive a warm, personalised welcome in the historic Grade II* listed Goods Shed, the oldest surviving early railway goods shed in the UK, before setting off on a self-guided exploration of the site.
For groups looking to delve deeper into railway history, exclusive tours with our Director or Curator can be arranged, offering behind-the-scenes insights and stories not featured within our exhibitions. You'll also have the chance to explore our impressive railway heritage collection of more than 30,000 objects and cross the bridge to Darlington Locomotive Works to see the UK's newest steam locomotive being built.
Depending on the time of year, you can also enjoy steam train rides on Hopetown Heritage Railway, offering a memorable opportunity to experience railway history in motion.
Travelling to Hopetown is easy by both coach and rail. The attraction shares a site with North Road Station on the Tees Valley Line, with direct connections between Bishop Auckland and Saltburn, while visitors travelling from further afield can connect via Darlington Station. Coach drivers receive complimentary refreshments in the Clocktower Café, making Hopetown Darlington an ideal stop for organised group travel.
Pricing
Site Admission: Free
Director or Curator Group Guided Tour: £5 per person
Steam Train Rides (seasonal): From £7.50 per person
Visiting Exhibitions: From Free
