This post is based on a visit in Summer 2024 which I paid for myself. Always check with venue direct for the most up to date information, especially regarding opening times.
Hopetown Darlington explores the history of the railway and celebrates wider STEM opportunities in our region through a fabulous playground, permanent museum and special events and exhibitions.
There are four main aspects:
- Hopetown Darlington North Road Station Museum, Carriage Works and Stores (FREE to visit, pet dogs are not permitted. Book a free ticket in advance if possible)
- Goods Shed Artisan Cafe & Railway Digital Experience (FREE to visit and dog friendly)
- Special Events & Exhibitions (Usually a charge, booking in advance required)
- Wagon Woods Railway Themed Adventure Playground (£3.50/£5 per child, adults go free, book in advance, pet dogs are not permitted)
Pet dogs are also welcome in the wider museum outdoor spaces (excluding Wagon Woods).
You can visit all aspects of Hopetown Darlington in one day, or just one. The choice is yours!
We travelled by train on the day of our visit. (ad) I worked with LNER to showcase the journey - you can watch our video from that day here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBNuSmzIUY9/?hl=en
You can visit all aspects of Hopetown Darlington in one day, or just one. The choice is yours!
Getting There
The museum address is: Hopetown Darlington. McNay Street. Darlington. DL3 6SWWe travelled by train on the day of our visit. (ad) I worked with LNER to showcase the journey - you can watch our video from that day here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBNuSmzIUY9/?hl=en
From the main Darlington Train Station, catch the train to Darlington North which is a very short 4 minute journey and Darlington North Station is literally joined onto the museum.
Parking is available in nearby Skerne Bridge Car Park - use postcode DL1 1LG (£4 per day).
You can visit the museum by bus too, you can check up-to-date timetables and learn more about travelling to the museum here: https://www.hopetowndarlington.co.uk/plan-your-visit/getting-here/
Clocktower Cafe
The Clocktower Cafe by the main entrance is fantastic. There's a digital railway experience to keep you entertained as well as a mini railway running around the ceiling with trains driving around. Pretty cool. Dogs are welcome, it's accessible and there are toilets within the cafe. There is indoor and outdoor seating.
I would say it's a bit of a higher end cafe with lovely salads, hot items, kids picnic bags and delicious cakes. They also serve their very own Black Diamond Ice Cream. They serve alcohol too.
I really enjoyed my lunch and hot chocolate here - I would recommend. If you'd prefer to bring a picnic, you can and there are dedicated picnic areas within North Road Station Museum, in the Goods Yard and near the kiosk at Wagon Woods. Ideal if you're trying to keep costs down.
FREE North Road Station Museum
This indoor museum is free to visit. They do ask you to book a free ticket ahead in advance if you can but walk ins are usually available. You can come and go across the day.It's a brilliant museum with loads of interactive elements based around our railways. Expect puzzles, digital displays, photo ops, interactive digital characters, things to build, buttons to press, dress up, role play, quizzes, it's brill! It's suitable for all ages and we really enjoyed it.
There's also a mocked up First Class Waiting Area where grown ups can take a seat and be served by their children which is fun.
You can also try 'Experiment' which is the North East's only Railway Simulator Ride. Each journey can accommodate up to 9 people. This is a time travelling immersive ride which rocks and tilts and takes you on a journey along to railways from 1825 right up to present day and then into the future.
There is a £5 per person charge for this ride - it wasn't open when we visited so I can't share a review.
You can book tickets for Experiment here: https://www.hopetowndarlington.co.uk/plan-your-visit/experiment/
The Carriage Works
The Carriage Works includes The Stores which are free to visit and Exhibition Hall which hosts special exhibitions and events (usually charged).
The Stores
Exhibition Hall
Exhibition Hall hosts exhibitions and events across the year which usually need to be booked in advance. There is LOADS going on here. We visited an interactive LEGO exhibition (which has now ended) and really enjoyed the space.
You can check for and book upcoming events here: https://www.hopetowndarlington.co.uk/whats-on/
Hopetown Comic Con takes place on 1 Feb (book a ticket using the link above).
There are regular science workshops/clubs for kids, wellness and craft workshops for adults, craft activities, engineering activities and more.
You can check for and book upcoming events here: https://www.hopetowndarlington.co.uk/whats-on/
Hopetown Comic Con takes place on 1 Feb (book a ticket using the link above).
There are regular science workshops/clubs for kids, wellness and craft workshops for adults, craft activities, engineering activities and more.
Wagon Woods Railway Themed Adventure Playground
Entry to Wagon Woods is £3 - £5 per child. Under 1s and adults go free. At weekends and during Darlington School Holidays, play is limited to a one hour slot. Children are classed as aged 1-17 years with under 8s needing to be closely supervised by an adult. Book your time slot ahead online.
The full area around Wagon Woods is enclosed and there are plenty of picnic tables and benches. A takeaway kiosk is available on weekends and school holidays.
What I love about this play area is how inclusive it is. Unlike Lilidorei, the incline track can be accessed by a wheelchair user without having to ask staff for an additional ramp and there are interactive features along the boardwalk and a companion slide suitable for wheelchair users.
Expect intersecting railway track walkways, a 50 metre boardwalk through the trees, a dedicated toddler area, puzzles to solve, tube slides, places to climb, a zip wire and more. It's a brilliant spot for creative play play.
What I love about this play area is how inclusive it is. Unlike Lilidorei, the incline track can be accessed by a wheelchair user without having to ask staff for an additional ramp and there are interactive features along the boardwalk and a companion slide suitable for wheelchair users.
Expect intersecting railway track walkways, a 50 metre boardwalk through the trees, a dedicated toddler area, puzzles to solve, tube slides, places to climb, a zip wire and more. It's a brilliant spot for creative play play.
We had a brilliant time visiting Hopetown Darlington. I'd recommend for all ages - it's really interesting and interactive and low cost / free too. Everything is brand new and in good working order and the cafe is fab. We spent a full day there with an 8 and 13 year old.
Find out more: https://www.hopetowndarlington.co.uk/
Find out more: https://www.hopetowndarlington.co.uk/
Other Things To Do
Within the museum you can visit the Darlington Locomotive Works and see volunteers build the UK's newest locomotive - engineering in action! This is free to visit. You can also visit Skerne Bridge - the oldest railway bridge in the world! And of course, there is a lovely gift shop too.
Within the wider Darlington area, you could combine a trip here with one of the following attractions:
- FREE South Park Darlington
- FREE The Hullabaloo
- FREE David Mach's Train Sculpture
And there are regular events in Darlington taking place across the year.
Check what's on: https://www.enjoydarlington.co.uk/what-s-on/
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