Celebrating 200 Years of Railway Heritage

Tees Valley and Durham in North East England hold a special place in the history of the railways.

This region played a pivotal role in shaping the development of railways, not only in the UK, but across the world. From Locomotion in Shildon, the world’s first railway town, to Hopetown Darlington, home to over 30,000 fascinating objects, our incredible past is brought to life at award-winning attractions.

S&DR200 Festival

In 2025 a spotlight will shine on the region for the 200^th anniversary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway (S&DR). This 26-mile journey between Shildon in Durham, and Stockton via Darlington, in Tees Valley on September 27, 1825 transformed how the world traded, travelled, and communicated. The nine month S&DR200 international festival, taking place from March to September, will take this fascinating story to the world with a series of incredible largescale spectacles, events and new art commissions. Whilst exhibitions at attractions including Preston Park Museum, The Story, Mining Art Gallery, Raby Castle and The Bowes Museum, will showcase different sides of this incredible story.

Durham
From city, countryside to coast, incredible experiences await in Durham. The dramatic Durham Cathedral and Castle UNESCO World Heritage Site forms one of the most stunning city skylines in Europe. Take some tranquil time out at Crook Hall Gardens and Ushaw Historic House. Experience the sights, smells, sounds and tastes of times gone by at Beamish Museum, or delve into 1,000 years of history at The Auckland Project. At Raby Castle, explore its incredible interiors and glorious grounds. And at The Bowes Museum you will discover outstanding collections of art, fashion and design. Adventure awaits in Durham’s great outdoors, from the incredible High Force Waterfall to Hamsterley Forest, a magnet for mountain bikers. And for some retail therapy, bag a bargain at Dalton Park.
Tees Valley
Tees Valley is made up of five distinct boroughs – Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar & Cleveland and Stockton-on-Tees – each with something unique and exciting to discover. In Redcar & Cleveland, you can visit Saltburn-by-the-Sea, enjoying golden sands and dramatic cliffs along the coastline. The beach, one of the country’s best surfing destinations, also boasts the impressive, 200m-long Victorian pier. Enjoy views from the Cliff Tramway, the oldest water-balanced funicular still in operation, before stopping off for delicious, fresh fish and chips and the iconic lemon top ice cream. The town is also a great stop when taking in the Cleveland Way walking route, or the Coast to Coast National Cycling Network Route 1.

Railway

Heritage

Locomotion and more
Locomotion is a must-visit attraction located in Shildon - the world’s first railway town. It is home to the largest collection of historic railway vehicles, under cover, on one site anywhere in Europe! Elsewhere, at Beamish Museum enjoy a ride through the Georgian area landscape, hauled by Puffing Billy - a replica of the original 1813 locomotive. Weardale Railway opened in 1847, and nowadays visitors can hop onboard passenger trains and enjoy a ride along an 18-mile heritage line. Or board the world's oldest railway with a three-mile journey through the Causey Valley on the Tanfield Railway.
Hopetown
Tees Valley is home to the birthplace of the modern railway, when Locomotion No. 1 became the first steam locomotive to haul a passenger-carrying train on a public railway - the Stockton and Darlington Railway. In 2024, the eagerly anticipated Hopetown Railway Museum in Darlington opened its doors, inviting visitors to step back in time and relive the innovation that revolutionised transportation. At the award-winning venue, you can immerse yourself in interactive exhibits, marvel at historic locomotives, and discover how Darlington and its pioneering engineers left an indelible mark on history.