Darlington is an English market town, located on the River Skerne in County Durham and is part of the Tees Valley. The town grew to importance during the Victorian era and is the terminus of the Stockton and Darlington Railway, and has long been known as a centre for engineering and bridge building. When booking a hotel in Darlington, keep in mind that the town is often referred to locally as 'Darlo'. The centre of town does not allow car traffic, making it unusually pedestrian-friendly.
What activities are on offer after my working hours in Darlington?
Darlington's city centre offers plenty of shopping. Explore designer stores in Grange Road and a range of art galleries and restaurants in Duke Street. This is also where business travellers might want to head for working lunches. For evening entertainment, the Forum Music Centre offers regular live music events and a popular comedy club. Another music venue is the Carmel Rhythm Club at Carmel College. If there is no gym available at your hotel, head to Bannatyne's Health Club in Haughton Road for a workout or swim.
What will I find in the way of business services in Darlington?
The Morton Park Training Centre offers a flexible range of different-sized meeting venues, including training and syndicate rooms and four large conference suites. Should you need quick access to the Internet, Beiderbeck’s Internet Café offers service in the city centre. Darlington can be conveniently reached via the Durham Tees Valley Airport (MME), located 13km from the city centre, or Newcastle Airport (NCL), 69 km away, with both airports offering taxi, rail or bus transfers.
What sights are of particular interest to me when staying at a hotel in Darlington?
With the town’s background in railways, the Darlington Railway Centre and Museum makes for a fascinating visit. Learn about the world’s first passenger rail journey, which was run from the town. The museum is located in a restored 19th century railway building and displays antique steam engines. In a similar vein, visit the sculptor David Mach's 1997 work, Brick Train, which consists of 185,000 bricks and can be viewed in the Morton Park Industrial Estate. Or enjoy a few hours in the fresh air outside your Darlington hotel at the Walworth Castle Birds of Prey centre, situated just outside the city, and offering falconry flying displays.