Heritage Weekend

Welcome to the new Heritage Open weekends at Hopetown Darlington. On the first weekend of every month, we open the doors to Darlington Locomotive Works and the 1861 Shed for you to engage with Darlington’s pioneering and ongoing railway engineering.

They’re free to visit and each month will engage with a different railway-related theme. The theme for January is BOILERS.

Here’s what you can expect at the first Heritage Weekend:

Saturday: Family Fun Day

Bring the whole family for a lively day of railway-themed adventures. Set off on a special treasure-hunt style trail beginning in North Road Station Museum and guiding young explorers to the Viewing Gallery, into the Darlington Locomotive Workshop and, weather permitting, up to the historic 1861 Shed. Expect plenty of hands-on fun as you uncover clues and discover the history of locomotives.

Join us at 11am or 1pm for Terry’s Talks - an engaging, family-friendly introduction to Darlington’s railway history, featuring the stories of the iconic locomotive Tornado and the Uks newest steam locomotive Prince of Wales.

Throughout the day, enjoy interactive demonstrations, including practical activities inspired by boilers and nameplates. Explore the workshops, chat with friendly volunteers, and stop by the merchandise stand for souvenirs to take home.

Sunday: Railway Heritage Day

Sunday offers a deeper dive for those with a passion for engineering, locomotive history, and heritage railway preservation.

Attend Terry’s Talks at 11am or 1pm for a detailed lecture exploring the development of the P2 boiler, with insights into its relationship with the A1 design. Each session includes time for Q&A with the Terry, project manager for the P2 Class No.2007 Prince of Wales.

Discover hands-on demonstrations centred around the newly delivered boiler for the Class P2 and take the opportunity to explore the workshops at your own pace. Knowledgeable volunteers will be on hand throughout the day to discuss current projects and answer questions.

Visitors can also browse the merchandise stand, pick up information leaflets, and learn more about how to get involved through volunteer signup opportunities.

Heritage Weekends are brought to you by Hopetown Darlington, The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust / The P2 Class Locomotive Company, Darlington Railway Preservation Society and North Eastern Locomotive Preservation Group.

Please note:

Entry to the Locomotive Works and 1861 Shed is from within Hopetown Darlington’s grounds.

Your Heritage Weekend ticket is valid all day, so you can arrive and leave at any time during the day. If you wish to visit both the Saturday and the Sunday, you will need a separate – free – ticket for each day.