Darlington markets have been established for over 1,000 years. With both a covered Victorian market which won 'market of the year' in 2008 and an outdoor market; you can find everything you need 6 days a week.
Dolphin Leisure Centre is an award winning, recently refurbished centre offering a soft play area, swimming facilities including training areas, a climbing wall, equipment for badminton, table tennis, squash, football, martial arts, fitness suites, fitness classes and specialised activities for both under 5s and over 50s.
Theatre from 1907, hosting plays, opera, comedy, music, dance and pantomime, local and touring. In 2017, we completed a £13.7 million restoration project which transformed the theatre for current and future generations to enjoy. The restoration enabled the theatre to expand its artistic programme and make significant access improvements including public lifts and wheelchair access to all levels. The building’s footprint was enlarged enabling us to offer a programme of year-round events and access to daytime facilities including a café bar, meeting spaces, an education centre and a variety of galleries.
South Park is a beautiful Victorian park set in 91 acres of land, set on the outskirts of Darlington. After receiving a multi-million pound Heritage lottery grant, the popular site now offers a lake, band stand, new play areas, a skateboard park and seasonal bistro.
Darlington is the home of the steam railway, opening the first steam railway station for transport of both people and goods in 1825. Head of Steam is an incredible museum offering the chance to celebrate the life of steam railways and has on display a number of different trains, exhibitions and a large model railway.
The 'Brick Train' sculpture was commissioned by David Mach who created it in 1997 to celebrate Darlington's rich railway heritage. It was opened the same year and is situated next to Morrisons at Morton Park Industrial Estate. 185,000 bricks were used in constructing the 'Brick Train' along with 170 cubic metres of concrete. It took just over five months to build by a team of 34 brick layers, labourers and apprentices.
This sculpture can be found on the A66, next to Morrisons supermarket at Moreton Park.
Tees Cottage is a museum housed in the old site of the Pumping Station, responsible for supplying clean drinking water to Darlington and surrounding villages. The museum now offers a selection of attractions including a Blacksmith's shop and a minature railway.
Darlington Football Club was formed in July 1883. It is rooted at the heart of the local community. ‘The Quakers’ currently play in the Vanarama National League North. Their home ground is Blackwell Meadows.
Visit Darlington FC for the latest fixture information.