S&DR200 - A Series of 3 Bike Rides to the Stockton and Darlington Railway with Ken Bradshaw

About

Cycle to the line – a series of 3 bike rides to visit the world famous Stockton to Darlington Railway with Ken Bradshaw. 

I am a Blue Badge Tour Guide and British Cycling Cycle Leader. I have devised three short tours to visit parts of the Stockton and Darlington Railway as part of the Railway200 celebration. They are as follows:

Wednesday 24th September 10am
Start: Bishop Auckland Station
Finish: Bishop Auckland Station
Time allowed: 3 hours

Route: This 14 mile ride will take us to where it all started: Witton Park; where the first wagons were loaded and then brought to the first of two inclines which hauled the wagons over the hills to Shildon. We will also see where the Gaunless Bridge once stood.
Stockton and Darlington Railway bike ride (1): To the start Tickets, Wed, Sep 24, 2025 at 10:00 AM | Eventbrite

Thursday 25th September 10am
Start: Shildon Station/ Locomotion
Finish: Shildon Station/Locomotion
Time allowed: 3 hours

Ride: This 12 mile ride will take in the Locomotion Museum and the former buildings of Shildon before cycling on the former bed of the SDR up the Brussleton incline where the second stationary engine pulled the wagons from the Gaunless valley below at St.Helens.  The route continues with spectacular scenery arriving at the world’s first station at Heighington. We will then traverse the industrial site of Newton Aycliffe and cycle along the SDR back to Shildon.
Stockton and Darlington Railway from Locomotion (3) Tickets, Thu, Sep 25, 2025 at 10:00 AM | Eventbrite

Wednesday 24th September 2pm/ Thursday 25th September 2pm (Repeated)
Start: Skerne Bridge Car Park, Darlington (North Road Station/Hope Town Museum)
Finish: Skerne Bridge Car Park, Darlington (North Road Station/Hope Town Museum)
Time allowed: 3 hours
Ride: This 14 mile ride will take us along the track bed to the former industrial hub that was Fighting Cocks, and now known as Middleton St.George or Dinsdale station. Mainly off road but using tarmac, this route affords a great loop to bring you back to the Brick Train sculpture before returning to the Skerne Bridge.
Stockton and Darlington Railway Bike Ride (2) from Darlington North Road Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite

Each ride costs £7 pp and is available to all over the age of 16. You will need to bring a roadworthy bike, helmet and appropriate clothing. A water bottle and a snack might be useful. We will go at the slowest pace but make sure you can cycle the 14 miles in hilly terrain. 

For more information contact the organiser Ken Bradshaw by 
Email: kenlm@phonecoop.coop 
Telephone: 07591 468066