Overview
Darlington is a mid-sized English market town with a population of 93,015, nicknamed 'Darlo' by locals. Its claim to fame is being the birthplace of the railways: on 27 September 1825 Stephenson's locomotive hauled passengers on the inaugural run from Shildon to Stockton, making it a pilgrimage site for railway enthusiasts.
Architecture · Budget Travel · Day Trips · History · Museums
Before you go
Connectivity
5G available from EE, O2 and Three; 4G from Vodafone as of Jan 2024. WiFi in cafes and hotels.
History
Darlington's defining claim is the world's first passenger railway, launched 27 September 1825 by Stephenson. The town was built around three large railway works, all closed in the 1960s.
Money
Currency is British Pounds (GBP). Banks and ATMs are plentiful in the town centre. Cash and card widely accepted.
Safety
Darlington is a generally safe town for visitors. Standard urban precautions apply in the town centre at night.
Transport
Darlington railway station has direct LNER services from London King's Cross (2h30m) and CrossCountry connections to Birmingham. Teesside International Airport has daily flights to Amsterdam and Aberdeen.