The large market town of Darlington lies on the southern boundaries of County Durham, a thriving town, well known for its railway connections. Notably, Stephenson’s Locomotion has made its home in the Railway Museum there and nearby, Shildon offers a second Railway Museum in association with the York Museum. Darlington has a wide range of restaurants, pubs and cafes, an active Civic Theatre, a Forum Music Centre, multiplex cinemas, plus lots of retail outlets, both indoor and outdoor, which are sure to keep you busy. The famous Croft racing circuit lies six miles the south of the town and is popular with car and motorcycle enthusiasts. Darlington provides a good hub, with various points of interests radiating from it, including the beautiful City of Durham to the north, with its majestic cathedral and castle, plus Saltburn-by-the-Sea and Saltholme RSPB Reserve, to the east on the coast, fringing the North York Moors. To the south York, Harrogate and Ripon beckon, whilst in the west, the wonderful scenery of the Yorkshire Dales is close by. With easy access to so many wonderful places, Darlington offers a unique base for the imaginative explorer.
