In 1825, George Stephenson’s Locomotion No. 1 became the first steam locomotive to transport passengers on a public railway.
To celebrate the momentous 200th anniversary of the occasion, the Stockton and Darlington Railway (S&DR) Festival will take place from March 29 to November 30 2025. One of the three key heritage sites hosting the festival is Darlington’s brand new rail museum, which is aimed and engaging and inspiring by telling the story of the town’s pioneering railway heritage.
Hopetown Darlington opened on July 16 last year following a £37m investment. The regeneration of the former Goods Shed on the S&DR Railway has seen the building transformed into a railway museum with interactive exhibitions, a café, a gift shop and a children’s play area.
In just a few short months, it has already become extremely popular among visitors, and ranks as the number one thing to do in Darlington on TripAdvisor, overtaking Darlington Hippodrome, Walworth Birds of Prey, and Thornton Hall Gardens.
One visitor described it as a great hidden gem for train enthusiasts and families, saying: “I really didn’t know what to expect when we went along and thought we’d be there no more than an hour. It was good fun and accessible too.”
Another described it as a must see in Darlington, saying: “Although we are relatively local we had heard little about this place and we were very impressed.”
A third added: “I had such a great time! The new museum is so engaging and interesting, with loads of interactive exhibits.
“I learned loads that I’d never known about Darlington’s part in the history of railways. It’s been designed with inclusivity and accessibility in mind – I was really impressed with the thought given to closed captions and even PECS resources for people with communication difficulties.”
For more information on the S&DR Festival, visit its website, and you can do the same to find out more on Hopetown. Other key heritage sites involved in the festival are Locomotion in Shildon, The Story in Durham, and Preston Park Museum and Grounds.
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