Hopetown Darlington

13/10/2026

🚂⏳ The crew at the UK's No.1 time travel ride have a new look, and the retail area has had a refresh to match.

Step aboard the ride and journey through more than 200 years of railway history, then browse a range of gifts and souvenirs inspired by your adventure.

Ready to travel through time? Now's the perfect time to hop aboard. And soon we’ll be switching to the 👻 spooky 👻 version of the ride for Halloween.

13/10/2026

A gentle reminder that we are closed to the general public today and tomorrow as Destination STEM takes over the site.

We're beyond excited to welcome thousands of local school children over the next two days to engage with STEM activities, pathways, careers advice, railway heritage and a whole host more.

We'll reopen to the general public on Thursday at 10am. Thank you 🙏

12/10/2026

🚂🎃 ALL ABOARD FOR SPOOKY FUN AND CHRISTMAS MAGIC! 🎄✨

Hopetown Darlington is bringing TWO unforgettable family experiences to Tees Valley this year! 🤩

👻 SPOOKTOWN returns from 24th October - 1st November with thrills, chills and fa-BOO-lous family fun!

Get ready for: 🚂 The Ghost Train 🍬 Trick or Treat Trail 🎭 Halloween entertainment 🎃 Pumpkin-filled photo opportunities 👻 Plenty of spooky surprises for little monsters and brave grown-ups alike!

Then, as the festive season arrives... 🎅✨

🎄 HOPETOWN CHRISTMAS 📅 5th December - 3rd January

Step into a magical winter wonderland featuring: 🎅 Santa at the Station ⛸️ Indoor Winter Skating Rink 🎁 Festive family fun ✨ Christmas entertainment 🚂 A truly magical seasonal experience

Whether you're celebrating Halloween or counting down to Christmas, Hopetown Darlington has family memories waiting to be made! ❤️

📖 Discover more fantastic family events in the latest Primary Times Tees Valley magazine: 👉 http://flk.bz/Il50

🎃🚂🎄✨

12/10/2026

🕷️ Something spooky is stirring at Hopetown for Halloween...

🚂👻 Experience the Ghost Train
📍 Follow the Trick or Treat Trail
🌔 Night at the Museum
🎃 Frightfully fun family activities
🔮 Paranormal encounters
🏃‍♂️ Spooky Fun Run
🦇 Thrilling time travel ride

One destination. One half-term. Countless Halloween memories. There's a spooky adventure with your name on it. Enter Spooktown... if you dare.

Gather your witches, ghosts, and little monsters, dress to distress, and prepare for a scarily unforgettable day out at Spooktown. 25th October - 2nd November.

11/10/2026

👀 A little hint, this is. Curious, you are?

What's coming to Hopetown? Guess in the comments, you must.

The reveal next week, it will be ⭐

10/10/2026

Here's what's on today...

🎶 Songs of the Railway
12pm-3pm
An afternoon on tunes to celebrate railway heritage and Black History Month

🎉 NELPG's Early 60th Birthday
12pm - 2pm
NELPG's chair John Hunt invites you to join him as he looks back at 60 years of the preservation group

All free. Booking online recommended. Head on down, we can't wait to welcome you 😃

09/10/2026

🎩 Steampunk enthusiasts, assemble!

⚙️ The gears are turning and we've added even more to the programme for Steampunk Weekend 2026.

From live music and comedic poetry to tea duelling, traders, games, competitions and plenty of opportunities to show off your finest steampunk attire, there's already a whole host of remarkable happenings planned.

🎟️ Best of all, it's free entry! ⤵️
https://www.hopetowndarlington.co.uk/steampunk

Goggles at the ready! Steampunk Weekend returns bringing two days of fantastical invention, live entertainment, eccentric characters, unique traders and Victorian-inspired adventure. Step into an extraordinary world where steam powers the future, curious contraptions are commonplace, and where creat...