Meet Paddington at Hopetown

All aboard for a wonderfully heart‑warming Summer Family Fun Day out! This July, Hopetown Darlington invites you to celebrate the start of the school holidays with a meet and greet with Britain’s favourite bear – Paddington™!

Bring the whole family for a day packed with paw-some activities from charming photo opportunities to outdoor screenings of Paddington 2 on our Screen on the Green, and of course the Meet and Greet with Paddington. The fun never stops.

Whether you’re young, old, or simply fond of Britain’s most beloved bear in his blue duffle coat, this family fun day promises a spectacular celebration filled with laughter and adventure.

What’s On:

🐻 Meet & Greet with Paddington™

Step onto the platform outside North Road Station Museum to meet Paddington - who is appearing at intervals throughout the day - surrounded by classic station charm and perfect for families of all ages.

Enjoy a charming interaction and make sure to practice your best polite wave… and maybe pack a spare marmalade sandwich, just in case. Don’t forget to bring your camera!

✨ Screen on the Green – Outdoor Cinema

Join us on Foundry Green for a magical open-air cinema experience as we screen the beloved film Paddington 2 starring none other than Darlington’s home-grown locomotive and cinematic celebrity, Tornado!

With two showings,families can settle into a beanbag or wrap up in a blanket and enjoy the sunshine with your snacks, sandwiches, and sweet treats. Watch as Paddington’s adventures come to life on the big screen.

FILM TIMES

• 11am
• 2pm

Please arrive 15 to 10 minutes before the film time to secure your spot. get your snacks and extras, and settle in.

🚂 Tornado in the Spotlight

Get up close to a real railway superstar Tornado, the iconic Peppercorn A1 steam locomotive proudly built right here in Darlington and starring in Paddington 2!

Presented at Darlington Locomotive Works for the day, Tornado stands as a magnificent tribute to local engineering and national railway heritage. Learn about its build, explore its mesmerising story, and admire the engineering that helped bring Tornado to life.

Whether you’re a railway enthusiast or simply enchanted by the magic of steam, Tornado is an unmissable highlight of the day.

✏️ Creative Workshop

Join the S&DR 26 Mile Community Team for a creative craft session where younger visitors can design and decorate their very own summer-themed postcards. Take them home to serve as a perfect keepsake from their day of adventure.

🧺 Picnic Spots Aplenty

Bring your own feast or indulge in delicious treats from the café. With plenty of picnic benches and space to stretch out, it’s the perfect place to enjoy refreshments in the open summer air. Cream teas and Loco Lunches for the littlies are available to pre-order!

Whether you’re young or old, our Summer Family Fun Day to be a spectacular celebration filled memory-making adventures.

This is an all‑weather adventure so do pack your best brolly, just in case.

Activities will be popular and subject to availability throughout the day.