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{{Short description|Town in County Durham, England}} {{About|a town in England}} {{pp-move|small=yes}} {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2023}} {{Use British English|date=September 2013}} {{Infobox UK place |official_name=Darlington |type=Town |country=England |region=North East England |static_image_name={{multiple images|total_width=250px|perrow=2/1/2 |image1=Darlington - Blackwellgate (geograph 7379061).jpg |image2=Looking along Post House Wynd to the clock tower (geograph 5987611).jpg |image3=Darlington clock tower and market hall (geograph 6299652).jpg |image4=St Cuthbert's Church, Darlington (geograph 6355021).jpg |image5=Skerne Railway Bridge South Side May 2021.jpg }} |static_image_caption=Blackwellgate, Post House Wynd, [[Darlington Market Hall|the Market Hall]], [[St Cuthbert's Church, Darlington|St Cuthbert's Church]] and [[Skerne Bridge]] |area_total_km2=19.73 |population=107,800 |population_ref= |population_density={{Pop density|105564|22.5525|km2|sqmi}} (Town) |os_grid_reference=NZ289147 |map_type = |map_alt=<!-- alt text for map, for visually impaired and other readers who cannot see the image; see </nowiki>[[WP:ALT]]<nowiki> --> |coordinates={{coord|54.5270|-1.5526|display=inline,title}} |post_town=DARLINGTON |postcode_area=DL |postcode_district=DL1, DL2, DL3 |dial_code=01325 |constituency_westminster=[[Darlington (UK Parliament constituency)|Darlington]] |london_distance_mi=219 |london_distance_km=352 |london_direction=south |parts_type=Areas of the town |p1=[[Blackwell, County Durham|Blackwell]] |p2=[[Branksome, County Durham|Branksome]] |p3=[[Cockerton]] |p4=[[Faverdale]] |p5=[[Firthmoor]] |p6=[[Hummersknott]] |p7=[[Mowden, County Durham|Mowden]] |p8=[[Skerne Park]] |p9=[[The Denes]] |p10=[[West Park, Darlington|West Park]] |unitary_england=[[Borough of Darlington|Darlington]] |lieutenancy_england=[[County Durham]] |website ={{url|http://www.darlington.gov.uk }} }} '''Darlington''' is a [[market town]] in the [[Borough of Darlington]], [[County Durham]], England. It lies on the [[River Skerne]], {{convert|15|mi|km}} west of [[Middlesbrough]] and {{convert|20|mi|km}} south of [[Durham, England|Durham]]. Darlington had a population of 107,800 at the [[United Kingdom 2021 Census|2021 Census]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ons.gov.uk/visualisations/censusareachanges/E06000005/ |title=How life has changed in Darlington: Census 2021 |access-date=9 April 2024 |archive-date=9 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240409124628/https://www.ons.gov.uk/visualisations/censusareachanges/E06000005/ |url-status=live }}</ref> making it a "large town" and one of the largest settlements in [[North East England]].<ref name="2021census">{{Cite web |title=Figure 1: Explore population characteristics of individual BUAs |url=https://www.ons.gov.uk/visualisations/dvc2257a/fig1/datadownload.xlsx |access-date=7 August 2021 |archive-date=5 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230805183245/https://www.ons.gov.uk/visualisations/dvc2257a/fig1/datadownload.xlsx |url-status=live }}</ref> The town is linked to [[London]], [[Leeds]], [[Newcastle upon Tyne|Newcastle]] and [[Edinburgh]] by the [[East Coast Main Line]] and the [[A1 road (Great Britain)|A1]]. ==History== ===Darnton=== [[File:St Cuthbert's Church, Darlington (geograph 6355021).jpg|thumb|right|St Cuthbert's Church]] Darlington started as an [[Anglo-Saxons|Anglo-Saxon]] settlement. The name derives from the Anglo-Saxon ''Dearthington'', which seemingly meant 'the settlement of Deornoth's people' but, by Norman times, the name had changed to Derlinton. During the 17th and 18th centuries, the town was usually known by the name of ''Darnton''.<ref name="englandsnortheast">{{Cite web |title=Darlington |url=http://www.englandsnortheast.co.uk/DarlingtonTees.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027151735/http://www.englandsnortheast.co.uk/DarlingtonTees.html |archive-date=27 October 2020 |access-date=4 May 2011 |website=englandsnortheast.co.uk}}</ref> Darlington has a historic market area in the town centre. [[St Cuthbert's Church, Darlington|St Cuthbert's Church]], built in 1183, is one of the most important early English churches in the north of England and is [[Grade I]] listed.<ref name=visitdarlington>{{Cite web |title=visitdarlington.com: The Leading Visited Darlington Site on the Net<!-- Bot generated title --> |url=http://www.visitdarlington.com/images/icons_large/icon_pdf.gif |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110203041339/http://www.visitdarlington.com/images/icons_large/icon_pdf.gif |archive-date=3 February 2011 |website=visitdarlington.com}}</ref> The oldest church in Darlington is [[St Andrew's Church, Haughton-le-Skerne|St Andrew's Church]], built around 1100 in [[Haughton-le-Skerne]]. When the author [[Daniel Defoe]] visited the town during the 18th century, he noted that it was eminent for "good bleaching of linen, so that I have known cloth brought from Scotland to be bleached here". However, he also disparaged the town, writing that it had "nothing remarkable but dirt"; roads would have typically been unpaved in the 18th century. <ref>{{Cite book |last=Defoe |first=Daniel |title=A tour thro' the whole island of Great Britain, divided into circuits or journies |publisher=J. M. Dent & Co. |year=1927 |location=London |chapter=Letter 9: Eastern Yorkshire, Durham and Northumberland |access-date=13 April 2011 |chapter-url=http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/text/chap_page.jsp?t_id=Defoe&c_id=33 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170629220605/http://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/text/chap_page.jsp?t_id=Defoe&c_id=33 |archive-date=29 June 2017 |url-status=live |via=Vision of Britain}}</ref> The so-called ''[[Durham Ox]]'' came from Darlington; born in the early 19th century, this steer became renowned for its excellent proportions which came to inform the standard for Shorthorn cattle.<ref name="englandsnortheast" /> ===Victorian era=== ====Stivvies==== [[File:Stooperdale Offices, Darlington (geograph 6393231).jpg|thumb|Stooperdale Offices (built for the [[North Eastern Railway Company]])]] During the early 19th century, Darlington remained a small market town.<ref>{{Cite web |title=A History of Darlington |url=http://www.localhistories.org/darlington.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191203005824/http://www.localhistories.org/darlington.html |archive-date=3 December 2019 |access-date=4 May 2011 |website=localhistories.org}}</ref> The [[Stockton and Darlington Railway]] ran steam locomotives designed for passengers and goods, built to a standard gauge, on a permanent main line with branches. On 27 September 1825, [[George Stephenson]]'s engine, ''[[Locomotion No. 1]]'', travelled between [[Shildon]] and [[Stockton-on-Tees]] via Darlington, an event that was seen as ushering in the modern railway age. Later in the 19th century, the town became an important centre for railway manufacturing. An early railway works was the [[Hopetown Carriage Works]] (est. 1853), which supplied carriages and locomotives to the Stockton and Darlington Railway. The engineering firm of [[William and Alfred Kitching]] also manufactured locomotives there around this time. The town eventually developed three significant railway works: * The largest of these was the main line [[Darlington Works]]; its main factory, the North Road Shops, opened in 1863 and remained in operation until 1966. * [[Robert Stephenson and Company|Robert Stephenson & Co.]] (colloquially: "Stivvies"), moved to Darlington from [[Newcastle upon Tyne]] in 1902. It was renamed ''Robert Stephensons & Hawthorns'' in 1937, was absorbed by [[English Electric]] around 1960 and had closed by 1964. * [[Faverdale Wagon Works]] was established in 1923 and closed in 1962; in the 1950s, it was a UK pioneer in applying mass-production techniques to the manufacture of railway goods wagons. ====Quakers and the Echo==== During the 19th century, Darlington [[Quaker]] families such as those of [[Pease family (Darlington)|Pease]] and [[Backhouse's Bank|Backhouse]] emerged as major employers and philanthropists. Industrialist [[Joseph Pease (railway pioneer)|Joseph Pease]] gave Darlington its landmark [[clock tower]] in 1864.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Roberts |first=David |date=7 April 2011 |title=Town clock keeps up with the chimes |work=[[The Northern Echo]] |url=http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/8958754.Town_clock_keeps_up_with_the_chimes/ |url-status=live |access-date=4 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180905022952/http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/8958754.Town_clock_keeps_up_with_the_chimes/ |archive-date=5 September 2018}}</ref> The clock face was crafted by [[T. Cooke & Sons]] of [[York]], and bells cast by [[John Warner & Sons]] of nearby [[Norton, County Durham|Norton-on-Tees]].<ref name=visitdarlington /> The bells are sisters to [[Big Ben]].{{cn|date=January 2023}} [[Darlington Mechanics Institute]] was opened in 1854 by [[Elizabeth Pease Nichol]], who had donated towards its cost.<ref name="rude">{{Cite news |last=Lloyd |first=Chris |date=10 March 2014 |title=History: School for rude mechanicals |work=The Northern Echo |url=http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/history/11065778.School_for_rude_mechanicals/ |url-status=live |access-date=11 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512231526/http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/history/11065778.School_for_rude_mechanicals/ |archive-date=12 May 2014}}</ref> In 1853, [[South Park, Darlington|South Park]] was laid out, over {{convert|91|acres}}, with financial support from the Backhouse family.<ref>{{Cite web |title=South Park |url=http://www.visitdarlington.com/site/heritage/south-park-p70291 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720091159/http://www.visitdarlington.com/site/heritage/south-park-p70291 |archive-date=20 July 2011 |website=visitdarlington.com}}</ref> [[Architect]] [[Alfred Waterhouse]], famous for work including London's [[Natural History Museum, London|Natural History Museum]] and [[Manchester Town Hall]], designed Darlington's [[Grade II listed]] [[Old Town Hall and Market Hall, Darlington]] in 1860. Four years later he contributed Backhouse's Bank building that is, {{as of|2022|lc=yes}}, a branch of [[Barclays]] bank.<ref name=visitdarlington /> During the period, [[George Gordon Hoskins]] was responsible for much of the town's architecture, designing buildings such as The King's Head Hotel.{{cn|date=January 2023}} Darlington Free Library, a [[Grade II listed]] building in Crown Street, was built for Β£10,000 by [[Edward Pease (railway pioneer)|Edward Pease]]. His daughter, Lady Lymington, opened the building on 23 October 1885 and presented it to the town council who agreed to operate it in perpetuity. {{As of|2022}}, it contains a library and "centre for local studies".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Darlington Town Centre Heritage Trail |url=http://www.visitdarlington.com/downloads/Heritage%20Trail%20Guide.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717221910/http://www.visitdarlington.com/downloads/Heritage%20Trail%20Guide.pdf |archive-date=17 July 2011 |website=visitdarlington.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Crown Street β Darlington Libraries β celebrating 130 years 1885β2015 |url=http://www2.darlington.gov.uk/web/arena/crown-street-library |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171003132457/https://www2.darlington.gov.uk/web/arena/crown-street-library |archive-date=3 October 2017 |access-date=29 January 2019 |website=darlington.gov.uk}}</ref> In 1870, ''[[The Northern Echo]]'' newspaper launched.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 January 2020 |title=The birth of The Northern Echo born out of a bitter local political dispute |url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/history/18136219.birth-northern-echo-born-bitter-local-political-dispute/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200108180551/https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/history/18136219.birth-northern-echo-born-bitter-local-political-dispute/ |archive-date=8 January 2020 |access-date=1 April 2020 |website=The Northern Echo}}</ref> Its most famous editor, [[William Thomas Stead]], died on the ''[[Titanic]]''. Facing the present ''Northern Echo'' building on Priestgate is the William Stead [[public house]] named for him.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The William Stead |url=https://www.jdwetherspoon.com/pubs/all-pubs/england/county-durham/the-william-stead-darlington |access-date=12 January 2023 |website=Wetherspoons |archive-date=12 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230112113756/https://www.jdwetherspoon.com/pubs/all-pubs/england/county-durham/the-william-stead-darlington |url-status=live }}</ref> ===Wars=== [[File:Canonsothprk.jpg|thumb|right|Russian [[Crimean War]] Cannon from [[Sevastopol]] in South Park]] In 1939, Darlington had the most cinema seats per capita in the United Kingdom.<ref name=visitdarlington /> On the night of 13 January 1945, a [[Avro Lancaster|Lancaster bomber]] piloted by [[Pilot officer|Pilot Officer]] William Stuart McMullen of [[Canada]] was on a training exercise when one of its engines caught fire and it crashed on farmland near Lingfield Lane. McMullen heroically stayed at the controls while his crew parachuted to safety and directed the stricken aircraft away from the houses below. He was killed on impact. His heroism was honoured by renaming Lingfield Lane "McMullen Road" and erecting a memorial monument.<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 January 2017 |title=Recalling the moment of one man's sacrifice: The night a Canadian airman died saving Darlington residents |url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/15020367.recalling-the-moment-of-one-mans-sacrifice-the-night-a-canadian-airman-died-saving-darlington-residents/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111043605/https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/15020367.recalling-moment-one-mans-sacrifice-night-canadian-airman-pilot-officer-william-mcmullen-died-saving-darlington-residents/ |archive-date=11 January 2023 |access-date=13 January 2019 |website=The Northern Echo}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Casualty β Pilot Officer William Stuart McMullen |url=https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2623900/mcmullen,-william-stuart/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190113182337/https://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2623900/mcmullen,-william-stuart/ |archive-date=13 January 2019 |access-date=13 January 2019 |website=www.cwgc.org}}</ref> ===Tornado and the brick train=== Starting in 1993, rail enthusiast group [[A1 Steam Locomotive Trust]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=60163 Tornado |url=https://www.a1steam.com/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118103450/https://www.a1steam.com/ |archive-date=18 January 2017 |access-date=24 February 2017 |website=The A1 Steam Locomotive Trust}}</ref> worked on building an all-new steam locomotive, the first to be constructed since the 1960s. It was intended to be the 50th member of the long withdrawn [[LNER Peppercorn Class A1]] engine, called [[LNER Peppercorn Class A1 60163 Tornado|''Tornado'']] and numbered 60163, from scratch in the 1853 former [[Stockton and Darlington Railway Carriage Works]] at Hopetown. Many of the original fleet had been built at [[Darlington Works|Darlington locomotive works]] in the late 1940s. ''Tornado'' was completed in January 2008. To commemorate the town's contribution to the railways, [[David Mach]]'s 1997 work [[Train by David Mach|''Train'']] is located alongside the A66, close to the original StocktonβDarlington railway. It is a life-size brick sculpture of a steaming locomotive emerging from a tunnel, made from 185,000 [[Accrington brick|Accrington Nori brick]]s. The work had a budget of Β£760,000.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Darlington's Brick Train |url=http://www.thisisdarlington.com/attractions/Darlingtons_Brick_Train.asp |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200106115338/http://www.thisisdarlington.com/attractions/Darlingtons_Brick_Train.asp |archive-date=6 January 2020 |access-date=6 January 2020 |publisher=This is Darlington}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=23 June 2017 |title=Darlington Brick Train celebrates 20th anniversary |work=BBC News |publisher=[[BBC]] |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-40356417 |url-status=live |access-date=6 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112021229/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-40356417 |archive-date=12 November 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=26 June 1997 |title=Spotters go bats over a brick train |work=Lancashire Telegraph |url=https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/6177023.spotters-go-bats-brick-train/ |url-status=live |access-date=7 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200107135447/https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/6177023.spotters-go-bats-brick-train/ |archive-date=7 January 2020}}</ref> ===21st century=== [[File:Darlington - geograph.org.uk - 52377.jpg|thumb|The Market Square in 2004]] In 2001, Darlington became the first place in England to allow same-sex [[civil ceremony|civil ceremonies]]<ref>{{Cite news |date=2 February 2003 |title=Same sex 'weddings' proposed |work=BBC News |agency=British Broadcasting Company |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2731977.stm |url-status=live |access-date=6 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090115123423/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/2731977.stm |archive-date=15 January 2009}}</ref> and {{As of|2022|lc=yes}}, it hosts an annual [[Pride parade|Gay Pride]] Festival at venues across the town.{{cn|date=January 2023}} A 2005 [[Darlington Borough Council]] project to [[pedestrianise]] areas of the town centre, this included some [[Victorian architecture|Victorian]] features along High Row.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Main Features of the Pedestrian Heart Scheme |url=http://www.darlington.gov.uk/Living/Planning+and+Building+Control/Planning+Services/Projects+and+Schemes/PedHeart/PedHeartFeatures.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060509041344/http://www.darlington.gov.uk/Living/Planning+and+Building+Control/Planning+Services/Projects+and+Schemes/PedHeart/PedHeartFeatures.htm |archive-date=9 May 2006 |website=Darlington Borough Council}}<br/>{{Cite web |date=16 September 2005 |title=Town revamp 'may disrupt traders' |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/4251676.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111043601/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/4251676.stm |archive-date=11 January 2023 |access-date=18 January 2008 |website=BBC News}}<br/>{{Cite news |date=24 April 2007 |title=Trader hits out at the heart of the scheme |work=[[The Northern Echo]] |url=http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/search/display.var.1349982.0.trader_hits_out_at_the_heart_of_the_scheme.php |url-status=live |access-date=18 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927001634/http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/search/display.var.1349982.0.trader_hits_out_at_the_heart_of_the_scheme.php |archive-date=27 September 2007}}<br/>{{Cite news |date=18 October 2007 |title=Hearty thanks β Town centre scheme is praised |work=[[Herald & Post (Teesside)|Herald & Post]] |url=http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/local-teesside-news/darlington-news/2007/10/18/town-centre-scheme-is-praised-84229-19970199/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090116015804/http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/local-teesside-news/darlington-news/2007/10/18/town-centre-scheme-is-praised-84229-19970199/ |archive-date=16 January 2009}}</ref> In August 2008, a fire, in which nobody was killed, caused damage and weeks of closure until the damage fixed for several shops (including [[Woolworths (United Kingdom)|Woolworths]]). The King's Head Hotel was also affected with damage to the roof and 100 bedrooms, the hotel was able to reopen in 2012.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mercure Darlington Kings Hotel |url=http://www.kingsdarlington.com/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315043328/http://www.kingsdarlington.com/ |archive-date=15 March 2016 |access-date=14 March 2016 |website=kingsdarlington.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=4 October 2012 |title=Darlington King's Head Hotel reopens after Β£8m revamp |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-19832781 |url-status=live |access-date=21 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190113185927/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-19832781 |archive-date=13 January 2019}}</ref> ==Governance== {{see also|Borough of Darlington|Darlington (UK Parliament constituency)}} [[File:Darlington Town Hall - geograph.org.uk - 459150.jpg|thumb|[[Darlington Town Hall]]]] There is one main tier of local government covering Darlington, at [[Unitary authorities of England|unitary authority]] level, being [[Darlington Borough Council]]. The council is a member of the [[Tees Valley Combined Authority]], led by the directly elected [[Mayor of Tees Valley]]. Most of the built-up area of Darlington is an [[unparished area]], although some outer parts of the urban area now extend into neighbouring parishes.<ref>{{cite web |title=Election Maps |url=https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/election-maps/gb/ |publisher=Ordnance Survey |access-date=3 March 2024 |archive-date=20 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160220103943/https://www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/election-maps/gb/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The council is based at [[Darlington Town Hall]] on Feethams in the centre of Darlington.<ref>{{cite web |title=Opening times |url=https://www.darlington.gov.uk/customer-services/opening-times/ |website=Darlington Borough Council |access-date=3 March 2024 |archive-date=3 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240303080145/https://www.darlington.gov.uk/customer-services/opening-times/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Darlington was an [[ancient parish]]. It was historically divided into four [[Township (England)|townships]]: [[Archdeacon Newton]], [[Blackwell, County Durham|Blackwell]], [[Cockerton]], and a Darlington township covering the town itself and adjoining areas. Such townships also became [[civil parish]]es in 1866.<ref>{{cite web |title=Darlington Ancient Parish / Civil Parish |url=https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10022976 |website=A Vision of Britain through Time |publisher=GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth |access-date=3 March 2024 |archive-date=31 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240331093627/https://visionofbritain.org.uk/unit/10022976 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |title=The History of the Antiquities of the County Palatine of Durham: Volume 3 |date=1823 |publisher=Nichols and Son |location=London |pages=350β377 |url=https://www.british-history.ac.uk/antiquities-durham/vol3/pp350-377 |access-date=3 March 2024 |archive-date=3 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240303080144/https://www.british-history.ac.uk/antiquities-durham/vol3/pp350-377 |url-status=live }}</ref> A body of [[improvement commissioners]] was established in 1823 to provide infrastructure to the more built-up parts of the Darlington township.<ref>{{cite web |title=Darlington Improvement Act 1823 |url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukla/Geo4/4/3/contents/enacted |website=legislation.gov.uk |publisher=The National Archives |access-date=3 March 2024 |archive-date=16 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240116001230/https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukla/Geo4/4/3/contents/enacted |url-status=live }}</ref> The commissioners were superseded in 1850 when the whole Darlington township was made a [[Local board of health|local board district]], governed by an elected local board.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Lawes |first1=Edward |title=The Act for Promoting the Public Health, with notes and an appendix |date=1851 |publisher=Shaw and Sons |location=London |pages=262β263 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MRJXAAAAcAAJ&pg=262 |access-date=3 March 2024}}</ref> The local board was in turn replaced when Darlington was incorporated as a [[municipal borough]] in 1867. The borough boundaries were enlarged on several occasions, notably absorbing the [[Harrowgate, County Durham|Harrowgate Hill]] area from the parish of [[Haughton-le-Skerne]] in 1872, Cockerton in 1915, Haughton-le-Skerne in 1930 and Blackwell in 1967. In 1915 the borough was elevated to become a [[county borough]], taking over county-level functions from [[Durham County Council]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Darlington Municipal Borough / County Borough |url=https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/unit_page.jsp?u_id=10136829&c_id=# |website=A Vision of Britain through Time |publisher=GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth |access-date=3 March 2024}}</ref> The borough was substantially enlarged in 1974 to take in most of the surrounding Darlington Rural District, such that the modern borough of Darlington covers both the town and a surrounding rural hinterland. The enlarged borough was also reconstituted as a [[non-metropolitan district]] as part of the 1974 reforms, with Durham County Council once more providing county-level services to the town.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The English Non-metropolitan Districts (Definition) Order 1972|year=1972|number=2039|access-date=3 March 2024}}</ref> The borough was made a [[Unitary authorities of England|unitary authority]] on 1 April 1997, regaining its independence from the county council. The borough remains part of County Durham for [[ceremonial county|ceremonial purposes]].<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The Durham (Borough of Darlington) (Structural Change) Order 1995|year=1995|number=1772|access-date=3 March 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1997/23/schedule/1/data.htm|title=Lieutenancies Act 1997|website=legislation.gov.uk|access-date=2020-02-14|archive-date=2 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221002234344/https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1997/23/schedule/1/data.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> Since 2016, the council has been a member of the Tees Valley Combined Authority along with [[Borough of Hartlepool|Hartlepool]], [[Middlesbrough Council|Middlesbrough]], [[Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council|Redcar and Cleveland]] and [[Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council|Stockton-on-Tees]]. Unlike Darlington, the other four districts in the combined authority had all been part of the short-lived [[Cleveland (county)|county of Cleveland]] between 1974 and 1996.<ref>{{cite legislation UK|type=si|si=The Tees Valley Combined Authority Order 2016 |year=2016|number=449|access-date=25 February 2024 |mode=cs1}}</ref> {{As of|2024}}, the [[Member of Parliament (United Kingdom)|Member of Parliament]] (MP) for the [[Darlington (UK Parliament constituency)|Darlington constituency]] is [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]]'s [[Lola McEvoy]]. Former members of parliament for the town include [[Peter Gibson (politician)|Peter Gibson]], [[Jenny Chapman]], [[Alan Milburn]] (the former [[Secretary of State for Health]] under [[Tony Blair]]'s Labour government) and [[Michael Fallon]] (who was [[Secretary of State for Defence]] under [[David Cameron]]'s coalition government and [[Theresa May]]'s Conservative government). ==Geography== [[File:River Skerne, Darlington (geograph 5228944).jpg|thumb|The River Skerne just east of the town centre and the spire of St Cuthbert's Church]] Darlington is located in the south of [[County Durham]] close to the River Tees, which acts as the border between Durham and Yorkshire. Both the [[River Tees]] and [[River Skerne]] pass through the borough, the Skerne later joining the Tees which then flows east and into the [[North Sea]]. Due to [[river bifurcation]] at the Baydale Beck and Cocker Beck, which later flow into the Tees and Skerne respectively, much of the western side of Darlington forms a [[river island]]. ===Areas within the borough=== In the north are [[Harrowgate, County Durham|Harrowgate]], [[Coatham Mundeville]] and [[Beaumont Hill]] and to the north-east are [[Whinfield]] and Haughton Le Skerne. To the east is the suburb of Eastbourne and Red Hall with [[Firthmoor]] and [[Skerne Park]] to the south. Situated in the west end are [[Hummersknott]], [[Mowden, County Durham|Mowden]] and [[Blackwell, County Durham|Blackwell]]. Finally, to the north-west are [[Branksome, County Durham|Branksome]], [[Cockerton]], [[Faverdale]], [[The Denes]], [[West Park, Darlington|West Park]], High Grange and Pierremont which is associated with the notable [[Henry Pease (MP)]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=29 July 2009 |title=An ice house was the perfect way for a mansion-owner to keep his cool |work=The Northern Echo |url=http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/features/columnists/memories/darlington/4518765.An_ice_house_was_the_perfect_way_for_a_mansion_owner_to_keep_his_cool/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120117155719/http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/features/columnists/memories/darlington/4518765.An_ice_house_was_the_perfect_way_for_a_mansion_owner_to_keep_his_cool/ |archive-date=17 January 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Lloyd |first=Chris |date=3 February 2011 |title=Home, sweet home |work=The Northern Echo |url=http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/8831918.Home__sweet_home |url-status=live |access-date=24 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171007070202/http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/8831918.Home__sweet_home/ |archive-date=7 October 2017}}</ref> ===Distance to nearby towns === {| class="wikitable" !Place!!Distance!!Direction!!Relation |- |[[Hartlepool]]||{{convert|18|miles|km}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Distance from Darlington to Hartlepool |url=https://www.distancecalculator.net/from-Hartlepool-to-Darlington |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220820133546/https://www.distancecalculator.net/from-Hartlepool-to-Darlington |archive-date=20 August 2022 |access-date=25 August 2022 |website=Distance Calculator}}</ref>||North East||[[Tees Valley|Combined Authority area]] |- |[[Durham, England|Durham]]||{{convert|17|miles|km}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Distance from Durham to Darlington |url=https://www.distancecalculator.net/from-Darlington-to-Durham-2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220825165443/https://www.distancecalculator.net/from-Darlington-to-Durham-2 |archive-date=25 August 2022 |access-date=25 August 2022 |website=Distance Calculator}}</ref>||North||Historic [[county town]] and closest city |- |[[Middlesbrough]]||{{convert|13|miles|km}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Distance from Darlington to Middlesbrough |url=https://www.distancecalculator.net/from-Middlesbrough-to-Darlington |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220720171727/https://www.distancecalculator.net/from-Middlesbrough-to-Darlington |archive-date=20 July 2022 |access-date=25 August 2022 |website=Distance Calculator}}</ref>||East||Combined Authority area |- |[[Stockton-on-Tees]]||{{convert|10|miles|km}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Distance from Stockton-on-Tees to Darlington |url=https://www.distancecalculator.net/from-Stockton-on-Tees-to-Darlington |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230111043559/https://www.distancecalculator.net/from-Stockton-on-Tees-to-Darlington |archive-date=11 January 2023 |access-date=25 August 2022 |website=Distance Calculator}}</ref>||East||Combined Authority area |} ==Economy== The trend of regional gross value added of Darlington at current basic prices published (pp. 240β253) by the [[Office for National Statistics]], with figures in Β£ millions. {| class="wikitable" ! Year || Regional Gross Value Added{{efn|Components may not sum to totals due to rounding.}} || Agricu­lture{{efn|Includes hunting and forestry}} || Indust­ry{{efn|Includes energy and construction}}|| Servi­ces{{efn|Includes financial intermediation services indirectly measured}} |- | 1995 || '''1,115''' || 8 || 377 || 729 |- | 2000 || '''1,192''' || 6 || 417 || 768 |- | 2003 || '''1,538''' || 6 || 561 || 971 |} Finance and manufacturing are now the main elements of its economy. ===Government and service sector=== The English division of the [[Student Loans Company]], Student Finance England, is based at Lingfield Point and employs over 1,000 people.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Darlington Borough Council |url=https://www.northeastjobs.org/DarlingtonBoroughCouncil |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721195344/https://www.northeastjobs.org/DarlingtonBoroughCouncil |archive-date=21 July 2011 |website=northeastjobs.org}}</ref> The [[Civil Service (United Kingdom)|Civil Service]]βs Darlington Economic Campus (DEC), opened in 2022 at its temporary home in Feethams House, is home to staff from various government departments including: * [[HM Treasury]] * [[Department for Business and Trade]] * [[Department for Energy Security and Net Zero]] * [[Office of National Statistics]] * [[Competition and Markets Authority]] * [[Department for Education]] * [[Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government]] * [[Department for Culture, Media and Sport]] [[Darlington Building Society]] is based in the town. Darlington Borough Council announced that the site for the DL1 complex, previously a car park for [[Darlington Town Hall]], was also to be redeveloped to house riverside office space for the [[Department for Education]] to replace its previous office on the edge of the town in Mowden, in an effort to safeguard Darlington jobs. This was officially opened on 19 March 2015.<ref>''The Northern Echo'', 19 March 2015</ref> The [[Disclosure and Barring Service]] has a national office in the town.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Working for DBS |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/disclosure-and-barring-service/about/recruitment |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221212234313/https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/disclosure-and-barring-service/about/recruitment |archive-date=12 December 2022 |access-date=12 December 2022 |website=GOV.UK}}</ref> [[Amazon UK]] operates a warehouse facility, which opened in early 2020, employing 1,300 full-time staff, one of the town's biggest employers.{{cn|date=August 2023}} [[EE (telecommunications)|EE]] is the largest private sector employer in the town, with 2,500 staff. The company took over its operations from one of its predecessors, Orange Mobile. ===Morton Park=== The Morton Park area of Darlington is currently undergoing a partial redevelopment, with areas of unused waste land being redeveloped into modern industrial and office space. Other commercial spaces in Darlington include North Road Industrial Estate, Cleveland Trading Estate and Faverdale Industrial Estate. The council depot on Central Park is also to be redeveloped into commercial space. ===Engineering=== Darlington has a rich engineering heritage and several notable engineering firms established locally. [[Bridge]] building was particularly important in the town. Bridges built in Darlington span the [[River Nile]] and [[River Amazon|Amazon]].<ref name="englandsnortheast" /> Local engineering firms include: * [[Cummins]] has an engine building facility near Morton Park.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Richardson |first=Andy |date=5 March 2011 |title=Cummins adds to jobs bonanza |work=Darlington and Stockton Times |url=http://www.darlingtonandstocktontimes.co.uk/news/8891753.Cummins_adds_to_jobs_bonanza/ |url-status=live |access-date=4 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723090330/http://www.darlingtonandstocktontimes.co.uk/news/8891753.Cummins_adds_to_jobs_bonanza/ |archive-date=23 July 2011}}</ref> * [[AMEC]]'s industrial arm is headquartered in the town * Darlington Forge Company originated in the town, {{circa|1967}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Darlington Forge Company |url=http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Darlington_Forge_Co |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402144028/http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Darlington_Forge_Co |archive-date=2 April 2015 |access-date=25 March 2015 |website=Grace's Guide to British Industrial History}}</ref> * [[Whessoe]] originated in Darlington. ===Retail and leisure=== [[File:Darlington (33079934200).jpg|thumb|Shops in the main square]] [[File:Tubwell Row, Darlington (geograph 5230683).jpg|thumb|The Cornmill Centre]] As an historic market town, a weekly outdoor market was held on the market square, which is one of the biggest in the country. An indoor market is located underneath the town clock on Prebend Row. Retailers in the area include: * Prebend Row hosts the Cornmill Shopping centre<ref>{{Cite book |title=The Rough Guide to England |page=1058}}</ref> * Grange Road and Skinnergate has a number of independent shops * Duke Street houses art galleries and restaurants * [[Argos (retailer)|Argos]], a UK retail company, has its largest warehouse distribution centre in the North of England located in Darlington; it is sited within the Faverdale Industrial Estate, in the north-west of the town. In November 2012, a deal was signed between Darlington Borough Council and developer Terrace Hill for a Β£30 million re-development of the site of the former Feethams bus depot. The proposal had an expected completion date of late 2014, though this did overrun with completion early 2016.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Henderson |first=Vicki |date=14 November 2012 |title=Β£30m cinema and hotel development to transform Darlington town centre |work=The Northern Echo |url=http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/local/darlington/10044529.__30m_cinema_and_hotel_development_to_transform_Darlington_town_centre/ |url-status=live |access-date=28 April 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402134949/http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/local/darlington/10044529.__30m_cinema_and_hotel_development_to_transform_Darlington_town_centre/ |archive-date=2 April 2015}}</ref> ===Hospitals=== {{further|Darlington Memorial Hospital|Woodlands Hospital}} [[File:Darlington Memorial Hospital main floors.jpg|thumb|right|Darlington memorial hospital]] Darlington Memorial Hospital is on Hollyhurst Road,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Reviews and ratings β Darlington Memorial Hospital |url=http://www.nhs.uk/Services/hospitals/ReviewsAndRatings/DefaultView.aspx?id=RXPDA |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151016215727/http://www.nhs.uk/Services/hospitals/ReviewsAndRatings/DefaultView.aspx?id=RXPDA |archive-date=16 October 2015 |access-date=15 April 2015 |website=[[NHS Choices]]}}</ref> in the corridor between Woodland Road and The Denes. The private Woodlands Hospital is at Morton Park. ==Culture and landmarks== {{more citations needed|section|date=January 2015}} {{multiple images |total_width=300px |perrow=2 |header=Buildings of Darlington |image1= Mowden Hall Darlington - geograph.org.uk - 1327599.jpg |image2=Sockburn Hall geograph-2364079-by-Mick-Garratt.jpg |image3=Majestic Theatre, Harrison & Johnson's and Summerhouse (geograph 5176426).jpg |image4= The Civic Theatre on Victoria Road, Darlington (geograph 4021047).jpg |footer= Landmarks from top left to bottom right:<br />Mowden Hall, Sockburn Hall, the Majestic Theatre (left of the photo) and the Hippodrome theatre }} ===Theatre=== The former Civic Theatre, now ''The Hippodrome'', is a popular arts venue in the town, hosting a mix of musicals, dramas, plays and pantomimes. In 2016, Darlington Civic Theatre closed to mark the start of a Β£12.3 million renovation project that included a Β£4.5 million lottery grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund and revamped as ''The Hippodrome'' and connects to the children's theatre ''Hullabaloo''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Darlington Hippodrome |url=https://pictosign.co.uk/project/darlington-hippodrome/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221212234643/https://pictosign.co.uk/project/darlington-hippodrome/ |archive-date=12 December 2022 |access-date=18 December 2022}}</ref> ===Friends' Meeting House === The Friends' Meeting House in Skinnergate is a Grade II* listed building. The Friends (Quakers) have met on this site since 1678, having previously met in private homes. The present building dates mainly from 1846.<ref>{{cite web |title=Darlington Quakers and the Friends Meeting House - The Meeting House |url=https://www.darlingtonquakers.org/our-heritage/the-meeting-house/ |website=www.darlingtonquakers.org |access-date=27 November 2023 |language=en |archive-date=5 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231005032007/https://www.darlingtonquakers.org/our-heritage/the-meeting-house/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{NHLE | num=1121255 | desc=Friends Meeting House, Darlington | access-date=27 November 2023}}</ref> Upstairs of The Quaker meeting house is home to Artist Lucas Roy. Lucas is an international fine artist who gained credit for his early work dedicated to the [[National Health Service|NHS]] during the [[COVID-19]] pandemic.[https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/18496426.kissing-rainbows-nhs-mural-pops-darlington-street-county-durham-artist-lucas-roy/] ===Forum Music Centre=== The Forum Music Centre, opened in 2004, hosts regular live music events, from Ska and Punk to Indie and Classic Rock. It also runs a comedy club. As well as live music, the facility houses a state of the art recording studio and several rehearsal rooms.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Forum Music Centre, Darlington Events & Tickets 2022 |url=https://www.ents24.com/darlington-events/the-forum-music-centre |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221212234517/https://www.ents24.com/darlington-events/the-forum-music-centre |archive-date=12 December 2022 |access-date=12 December 2022 |website=Ents24}}</ref> The Carmel Rhythm Club, at Carmel College in the Hummersknott end of town, was another music venue. It opened the same year as the Forum.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 September 2006 |title=Welcome to Otis |url=https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/local-news/welcome-to-otis-3764268 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221213210541/https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/local-news/welcome-to-otis-3764268 |archive-date=13 December 2022 |access-date=13 December 2022}}</ref> ===Dog show=== Darlington Dog Show was a championship event from 1969. It was usually held in September on the showground in [[South Park, Darlington|South Park]]; but it has now moved to Ripon.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 September 2022 |title=40 adorable pictures from the Darlington Dog Show |url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/22312993.40-adorable-pictures-2022-darlington-dog-show/ |access-date=25 March 2023 |archive-date=25 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230325193724/https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/22312993.40-adorable-pictures-2022-darlington-dog-show/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ===Churches=== Darlington has a wide array of churches scattered around the town including the iconic and notable parish church of [[St Cuthbert's Church, Darlington|St Cuthbert's]] in the centre of town, with a towering spire and a grade I [[listed building|listed]] status. Other churches include [[Methodist]], [[Baptist]], [[Roman Catholic]] and [[Jehovah Witness]] places of worship, as well as [[Holy Trinity Church, Darlington|Holy Trinity Church]] and the grade II listed [[St John's Church, Darlington|St John the Evangelist Church]] which closed for worship in 2023.<ref name="larman">{{Cite news |last=Larman |first=Connor |date=7 February 2023 |title='Incredibly sad' β Darlington church closes its doors after final service |language=en |work=The Northern Echo |url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/23304150.darlingtons-st-johns-church-closes-doors-last-service/ |access-date=16 July 2023 |archive-date=11 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230611140201/https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/23304150.darlingtons-st-johns-church-closes-doors-last-service/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ===Mosque=== The Jamia Mosque and Islamic Society of Darlington is located in the North Lodge Terrace area of the town,<ref>'[https://www.darlingtonandstocktontimes.co.uk/news/10037142.DARLINGTON_BOROUGH_COUNCIL/ Darlington Borough Council] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190212130935/https://www.darlingtonandstocktontimes.co.uk/news/10037142.DARLINGTON_BOROUGH_COUNCIL/ |date=12 February 2019 }}', ''Darlington & Stockton Times'' (9 November 2012).</ref><ref>David Roberts, "'Flash demo' condemned by Muslims", ''The Northern Echo'' (19 May 2011).</ref> an area with a relatively high proportion of ethnic minority residents (39.2% of the population in that area, compared to a town average of 6.3%).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Northgate E00062324 |url=http://www.ukcensusdata.com/northgate-e00062324#sthash.NOEL9H0Y.dpbs |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811133053/http://www.ukcensusdata.com/northgate-e00062324#sthash.NOEL9H0Y.dpbs |archive-date=11 August 2020 |access-date=3 January 2020 |website=UK Census Data}}</ref> Constituted as a charity under UK law in 1982,<ref>'[https://web.archive.org/web/20190301102739/http://beta.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=513731&subid=0 Islamic Society Of Darlington]', Registered charities in England and Wales.</ref> the mosque offers worship facilities, as well as Islamic education, and has its own [[telecommunications]] mast for calls to prayer.<ref>'[https://web.archive.org/web/20190301102739/https://www.darlingtonandstocktontimes.co.uk/news/10037142.DARLINGTON_BOROUGH_COUNCIL/ Darlington Borough Council]', ''Darlington & Stockton Times'' (9 November 2012).</ref> ==Transport== ===Air=== [[Teesside International Airport]] is located {{convert|5|mi|km|0|abbr=on}} east of Darlington town centre; it serves [[County Durham]] and [[North Yorkshire]]. The airport was known as ''Durham Tees Valley Airport'' from 2004 until mid-2019. It has flights to a few domestic locations across the UK and international flights to some locations in Europe. Many private or general aviation flights use the airport. The airport has a Fire Training Centre. The nearest large airports are [[Newcastle International Airport|Newcastle]] ({{convert|42|mi|km|abbr=on}}) and [[Leeds Bradford Airport|Leeds Bradford]] ({{convert|62|mi|km|abbr=on}}). ===Railway=== [[File: A transpennine Express departing from Darlington (geograph 7798459).jpg|thumb|A TransPennine Express service at Darlington station]] [[Darlington railway station]] is a principal stop on the [[East Coast Main Line]]; it is served by four [[train operating companies]]: * [[London North Eastern Railway]] operates [[inter-city rail|inter-city]] services to {{rws|London Kings Cross}}, {{rws|York}}, {{rws|Durham}}, {{rws|Newcastle}}, {{rws|Edinburgh Waverley}}, {{rws|Aberdeen}} and {{rws|Inverness}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Our timetables |website=LNER |date=2 June 2024 |access-date=3 November 2024 |url=https://www.lner.co.uk/travel-information/travelling-later/timetables/ }}</ref> * [[TransPennine Express]] runs inter-city services between {{rws|Liverpool Lime Street}} and Newcastle, via York, {{rws|Leeds}} and {{rws|Manchester Victoria}}<ref>{{Cite web |website=TransPennine Express |title=Timetables |date=2 June 2024 |access-date=3 November 2024 |url=https://www.tpexpress.co.uk/travel-updates/timetables }}</ref> * [[CrossCountry]] operates inter-city services between Edinburgh Waverley, {{rws|Plymouth}} and {{rws|Penzance}}, via Leeds, {{rws|Sheffield}}, {{rws|Derby}}, {{rws|Birmingham New Street}} and {{rws|Bristol Temple Meads}}<ref>{{Cite web |website=CrossCountry |title=Timetables |date=2 June 2024 |access-date=3 November 2024 |url=https://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/travel-updates-information/train-timetables}}</ref> * [[Northern Trains]] runs local services on the [[Tees Valley Line]], connecting all of the main settlements along the River Tees, including {{rws|Bishop Auckland}}, {{rws|Middlesbrough}}, {{rws|Redcar Central}} and {{rws|Saltburn}}.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Timetables and engineering information for travel with Northern |website=Northern Railway |date=2 June 2024 |access-date=3 November 2024 |url=https://www.northernrailway.co.uk/travel/timetables }}</ref> Services also stop at {{rws|North Road}}, the town's original station.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/north-road-darlington/ |website=National Rail Enquiries |title=North Road (Darlington) |access-date=3 November 2024}}</ref> Darlington railway station has a large [[Victorian era|Victorian]] clock tower, which can be seen from most areas of the town. ===Roads=== Darlington is well connected to the North East's major trunk route, the [[A1(M) motorway|A1(M)]], which bypasses the town to the west. It was completed in 1965, replacing the Great North Road route which is now known as the A167. The town is served by three closely-spaced junctions of the A1(M): junctions 57 ([[A66(M)]]), 58 (A68) and 59 (A167), which is also the access exit for Darlington motorway services (Newton Park), with an on-site filling station, hotel and restaurant. The town is also close to other major trunk routes, including the A66 trans-Pennine route connecting Darlington to Stockton-on-Tees and the [[A19 road|A19]]. The Β£5.9 million {{convert|5|mi|km|0|abbr=on}} A66 Darlington eastern bypass opened on 25 November 1985. The Darlington Eastern Transport Corridor, linking the Central Park regeneration zone (Haughton Road) and Darlington town centre to a new roundabout on the A66, was opened in the summer of 2008. ===Buses=== [[File:Arriva Optare Solo buses in Darlington 5 May 2009 pic 1.JPG|thumb|right|Arriva buses in Darlington]] Bus routes in the town are provided mostly by [[Arriva North East]]; its services connect Darlington to neighbouring towns and cities such as Durham, Bishop Auckland, Richmond, Stockton and Middlesbrough. There are also two smaller independent operators running services: [[Dales & District]] and Hodgsons Buses.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://bustimes.org/localities/darlington |website=Bustimes.org |title=Darlington bus services |access-date=3 November 2024}}</ref> [[Stagecoach North East]] operated originally in the town until 2007, when it sold its operations to Arriva. Stagecoach returned to Darlington in 2023, following the decision by Arriva to end its service 12 from Hurworth to Middleton St. George and Teesside Airport; it took over this service on 23 September 2023, renumbering it as route 6 (6A on Sundays) and extending it to Stockton, via Eaglescliffe, Yarm and Ingleby Barwick. ===Cycling=== Darlington was chosen by the Department for Transport as one of three national ''Sustainable Travel Demonstration Towns'' (together with Peterborough and Worcester) in 2004 and delivering a three-year research and marketing programme to promote sustainable travel choices under the brand name ''Local Motion''. It was also chosen as one of six cycling demonstration towns in October 2005, receiving Β£3 million worth of funding from the government and local council money.<ref>{{Cite news |date=21 October 2005 |title=Β£3m to make town a more friendly place for cyclists |work=The Northern Echo |url=http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/7148005.__3m_to_make_town_a_more_friendly_place_for_cyclists/ |url-status=live |access-date=11 February 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170225130545/http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/7148005.__3m_to_make_town_a_more_friendly_place_for_cyclists/ |archive-date=25 February 2017}}</ref> The 2007 ''Town Centre Pedestrian Heart Project'', an investment of Β£10 million, saw some of Darlington's town centre modernised; there was an emphasis on vehicles becoming less common in the centre and some roads pedestrianised completely. Other improvements were to cycling facilities and routes, linking the town to the national cycle route network. Darlington is the only place to win both sustainable travel and cycling demonstration town status.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2 February 2006 |title=Cycling comments needed |work=The Northern Echo |url=http://archive.thenorthernecho.co.uk/2006/2/2/217551.html |access-date=11 February 2008}}{{dead link|date=May 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> ==Education== ===Museums and heritage=== [[File:Head of Steam Railway Museum, Darlington - geograph.org.uk - 2479495.jpg|thumb|Hopetown Darlington railway museum]] The town's main museum is [[Hopetown Darlington]], sited near North Road railway station; it and [[Piercebridge Roman Fort]] near the town are run by the Darlington Museum Service.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Enjoy Darlington β Museums and Galleries |url=https://www.enjoydarlington.co.uk/things-to-do/museums-galleries/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210123112252/https://enjoydarlington.co.uk/things-to-do/museums-galleries/ |archive-date=23 January 2021 |access-date=27 January 2021}}</ref> ===Institutions=== {{See also|List of schools in Darlington}} [[Teesside University]] opened a Darlington campus in 2011. It offers [[higher education]] in the town to students and businesses. The town has one [[further education]] college, [[Darlington College|Darlington]] and two sixth form colleges: [[Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College|Queen Elizabeth]] and [[Carmel College, Darlington|Carmel]]. There are several secondary schools including: [[Wyvern Academy|Wyvern]], [[Haughton Academy|Haughton]], [[Hummersknott Academy|Hummersknott]], [[Hurworth School]], [[Longfield Academy, Darlington|Longfield]] and [[St Aidan's Church of England Academy|St Aidan's]]. [[Polam Hall School|Polam Hall]] is a former independent school and is now a [[free school (England)|free school]]. There are also numerous primary schools, including: Federation of Abbey Schools, Mowden School, West Park School and Skerne Park. ==Media== Darlington is home to the regional daily newspaper ''[[The Northern Echo]]'' and its sister weekly newspaper ''[[Darlington & Stockton Times]]''.{{cn|date=August 2023}} Local news and television programmes are provided by [[BBC North East and Cumbria]] and [[ITV Tyne Tees]] from the [[Bilsdale transmitting station|Bilsdale]] TV transmitter.{{cn|date=August 2023}} Local radio stations are [[BBC Radio Tees]], [[Capital North East]], [[Heart North East]], [[Smooth North East]], [[Greatest Hits Radio North East]], [[Nation Radio North East]], [[Hits Radio Teesside]] and Darlo Radio broadcasts from the town.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 January 2019 |title=Darlington radio station makes move |url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/local/darlington/17341566.darlington-radio-station-makes-move/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614144018/https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/local/darlington/17341566.darlington-radio-station-makes-move/ |archive-date=14 June 2020 |access-date=14 June 2020 |publisher=[[The Northern Echo]]}}</ref> In November 2009, the town appointed an official ''Twitterer in residence'', the first of its kind in the UK. Mike McTimoney (known on [[Twitter]] as ''TheDarloBard' ) is a local regular user who has been officially charged with tweeting for and about Darlington,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pyrah |first=Lauren |date=1 December 2009 |title=IT teacher employed as Twitterer-in-residence |work=The Northern Echo |url=http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/4768811.IT_teacher_employed_as_Twitterer_in_residence/ |url-status=live |access-date=1 December 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110919220912/http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/4768811.IT_teacher_employed_as_Twitterer_in_residence/ |archive-date=19 September 2011}}</ref> and to help promote The Darlington Experiment 2.0, the town's [[social media]] campaign. In August 2022, Darlington Borough Council confirmed that it would be placing a bid for Darlington to host the [[Eurovision Song Contest 2023|2023 Eurovision Song Contest]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fox |first=Alexa |date=10 August 2022 |title=Darlington launches bid to host Eurovision Song Contest in 2023 |url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/20616763.darlington-launches-bid-host-eurovision-song-contest-2023/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220810175921/https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/20616763.darlington-launches-bid-host-eurovision-song-contest-2023/ |archive-date=10 August 2022 |access-date=10 August 2022 |website=[[The Northern Echo]]}}</ref> However, the town was not part of the shortlist of potential host cities released on 12 August.<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 August 2022 |title=Eurovision 2023: Seven UK cities make shortlist to host song contest |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-62496803 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220813001355/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-62496803 |archive-date=13 August 2022 |access-date=13 August 2022 |website=[[BBC News]]}}</ref> Several sketches from the [[BBC]] comedy programme ''[[The Fast Show]]'' were filmed in the town centre.<ref>{{Cite news |website=The Northern Echo |title=Filming locations for The Fast Show across the North-East | last=Lloyd | first=Chris |date=20 September 2020 |access-date=3 November 2024 |url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/18732614.filming-locations-fast-show-across-north-east/?origin=serp_auto}}</ref> ==Sport== {{unreferenced section|date=June 2021}} ===Football=== The town is home to [[Darlington Football Club]] which play at Blackwell Meadows and play in [[National League North]]. [[Darlington Railway Athletic F.C.]], plays in the [[Wearside Football League|Wearside League]] Division One and play at Brinkburn Road. Darlington FC is known as ''The Quakers'' because of the contributions made to the town by men such as [[Edward Pease (railway pioneer)|Edward]] and [[Joseph Pease (railway pioneer)|Joseph Pease]], members of the [[Religious Society of Friends]]. Before the 2012 administration, played at the 25,000 capacity [[Darlington Arena]] (after 120 years at the [[Feethams]] ground) when it opened on Neasham Road in 2003. In the [[2010β11 FA Trophy|2010β11 season]] Darlington won the [[FA Trophy]] however they were relegated from the [[Football League]], into the then [[Football Conference]]. Administration caused Darlington to play home games at Heritage Park in [[Bishop Auckland]] and relegation by four divisions to Division One of the [[Northern Football League]], of which the club was one of the founders of in 1889, for the 2012β13 season. It moved back to Darlington from the 2016/17 season with a long term groundshare arrangement with [[Darlington RFC]] at Blackwell Meadows. Darlington's first home game at Blackwell Meadows (a 3β2 home win against [[Halifax Town]]) took place on 26 December 2016. In the subsequent season, the club was allowed to change back to its current name.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Coney |first=Steven |date=4 April 2017 |title=Football Association approve Darlington's wishes to revert to historic Darlington FC name |work=The Non-League Paper |url=http://www.thenonleaguefootballpaper.com/latest-news/conference-north-step-two/18832/football-association-approve-darlingtons-wishes-to-revert-to-historic-darlington-fc-name/ |url-status=live |access-date=30 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170610065553/http://www.thenonleaguefootballpaper.com/latest-news/conference-north-step-two/18832/football-association-approve-darlingtons-wishes-to-revert-to-historic-darlington-fc-name/ |archive-date=10 June 2017}}</ref> ===Rugby Union=== [[File:Darlington arena 001.jpg|thumb|right|[[The Northern Echo Arena]], home of Darlington Mowden]] Darlington has two [[Rugby Union]] clubs [[Darlington Mowden Park R.F.C.|Darlington Mowden RFC]] and [[Darlington RFC]]. Darlington Mowden Park play in [[National League 1]], the third tier of English rugby union. The club own and play at the Darlington Arena, which played a role in the 2015 Rugby World Cup as hosts to the [[New Zealand national rugby union team|New Zealand]] national team. Darlington RFC play at Blackwell Meadows in [[Durham/Northumberland 2]]. === Athletics === [[File:Athletics Track, Eastbourne Leisure Centre (geograph 4429468).jpg|thumb|Eastbourne Leisure Centre's athletics track]] Darlington's leading athletics club, Darlington Harriers AC, was formed in 1891 and has had a number of successful athletes wearing the club colours as well as competing internationally at Commonwealth, European and Olympic Games (London 1908, London 1948 and Tokyo 1964). The club stemmed from the Darlington Foot Harriers who travelled in packs hunting hares. Some of the key members, including Thomas and Charles Mountford, founded the club which went on to become one of the most notable clubs in the country. The club celebrated its 125th year in 2016, with anniversary games held at Eastbourne Sports Complex and was also the first club in the UK to be granted a licence via England Athletics new systems whilst the country was coming out of the COVID19 pandemic. In 2019, the club was awarded the Queen's Award for Voluntary Services (QAVS), which was created in 2002 to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee. This was previously known as the ''Queen's Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS)''. Equivalent to an MBE, this award (changed to KAVS since [[King Charles III]] came to the throne) is the highest award given to local voluntary groups in the UK. The club was also winner of the 2021 and 2022 Regional England Athletics North East Volunteering ''Club of the Year'' awards. In 2015, the club also moved away from the 'D' vest which had been introduced in the late 1970s, moving initially to ''Darlington Harriers'' before a new club logo was introduced in 2018. The new logo shape is the [[DL postcode area]], includes the towns landmarks in Joseph Pease's statue, the town clock and the brick train which represents the town's history in the railway industry. The club has also introduced further events to its athletics calendar in recent years, adding to the existing 'Pitstop' 10km race which has been running since 2001. Multi-lap events held at South Park include South Park 10 (mile), South Park 20 were introduced in 2016 and The Marathon Paarlauf in 2022. The athletics track where the club are based at Eastbourne Complex received a make over in 2023 as part of a Β£1.6 million re-design of the complex with a new Blue 8 lane track to match the club colours. The other athletics-based event is the Darlington 10km and 3km road run, which is held every August; it attracts around 2,000 competitors and is managed by the local council. The Dolphin Centre, which provides a wide range of sporting facilities, was opened by [[Roger Bannister]] in 1982. It received a Β£5 million refurbishment in 2006 which was later officially opened by [[Redcar]] athlete [[Tanni Grey-Thompson]]. ===Cricket=== Cricket clubs in the town are Darlington Cricket Club and Darlington Railway Athletic Cricket Club. Both play in the [[North Yorkshire and South Durham Cricket League]], Darlington CC won the league twenty times during the 20th century.<ref>{{Cite web |title=League Winners 1893β2020 |url=http://www.dcc.darlingtoncc.co.uk/nysdl/stats/A_Div_Prem/a_prem_winners.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210626223732/http://www.dcc.darlingtoncc.co.uk/nysdl/stats/A_Div_Prem/a_prem_winners.aspx |archive-date=26 June 2021 |access-date=26 June 2021 |publisher=www.dcc.darlingtoncc.co.uk}}</ref> ===Field hockey=== Darlington Hockey Club is a [[field hockey]] club that competes in the [[Yorkshire Hockey Association|Yorkshire and North East Hockey League]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.darlingtonhockeyclub.co.uk/|title=Darlington Hockey Club |access-date=17 October 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.englandhockey.co.uk/clubs/darlington-hc|title=England Hockey - Darlington City Hockey Club |access-date=17 October 2024}}</ref> ==Notable people== {{more citations needed|section|date=October 2018}} <!-- Listed in alphabetical order of surname. Includes people who were born, once lived or currently reside in Darlington.--> {{columns-list|colwidth=33em| * [[George Allison]] β football manager in 1930s * [[James Atkinson (Persian scholar)|James Atkinson]] (1780β1852) β surgeon, artist and Persian scholar * [[Duncan Bannatyne]] β entrepreneur * [[Garry Williamson Barnes]] - footballer * [[Nick Bilton]] β columnist for ''The New York Times'' and bestselling author * [[Julie Bindel]] β journalist, columnist, political activist, lesbian and gay rights campaigner, born in Darlington * [[Zoe Birkett]] β singer, runner up on television show ''[[Pop Idol]]'' * [[George Butterfield (athlete)|George Butterfield]] β Darlington Harrier's Former 100m record holder and Olympian * [[Sandra Bowman]] β Olympic and Commonwealth Games swimmer in 1980s * [[Aidan Chambers]] β children's author<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/education/2000/jul/11/schools.booksforchildrenandteenagers Shock tactics] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221213211355/https://www.theguardian.com/education/2000/jul/11/schools.booksforchildrenandteenagers |date=13 December 2022 }} ''The Guardian''</ref> * [[Peter Chapman (murderer)|Peter Chapman]] β convicted murderer, born in Darlington in 1977, brought up in nearby Stockton on Tees. * [[Tom Craddock]] β footballer * [[James Cudworth (engineer)|James Cudworth]] β locomotive superintendent for the [[South Eastern Railway (UK)|South Eastern Railway]] (1845β76) * [[Alex Cunningham]] β MP for [[Stockton North (UK Parliament constituency)|Stockton North]] * [[Giles Deacon]] β fashion designer * [[J. M. Dent]] β publisher, produced Everyman's Library series<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lloyd |first=Chris |date=16 November 2010 |title=Darlington: Addressing Dressers |work=The Northern Echo |location=Darlington |url=http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/8638032.Addressing_Dressers/ |url-status=live |access-date=24 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170225130656/http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/8638032.Addressing_Dressers/ |archive-date=25 February 2017}}</ref> * [[Frederick Dickens]] β Charles Dickens' beloved scapegrace brother, buried in the West Cemetery<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 March 2012 |title=Twist on Dickens' dale links and his feckless brother |url=http://www.teesdalemercury.co.uk/Articles/Twist-on-Dickens-dale-links-and-his-feckless-brother |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170621190910/http://www.teesdalemercury.co.uk/Articles/Twist-on-Dickens-dale-links-and-his-feckless-brother |archive-date=21 June 2017 |access-date=7 December 2018 |newspaper=Teesdale Mercury}}</ref> * [[Harry Dobinson]] β footballer * [[Elizabeth Esteve-Coll]] (nΓ©e Kingdon) β director of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the first woman to head a national arts institution * [[John Wilson Ewbank|John W. Ewbank]] β landscape and marine painter * [[Simon Farnaby]] β actor, writer and comedian * [[Don Featherstone (filmmaker, 1902β1984)|Don Featherstone]] β filmmaker * [[Ruth Gemmell]] β actress<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pavel |first=John |date=24 May 2002 |title=Ruth Gemmell interview |work=Sheffield Telegraph |url=http://www.petergill7.co.uk/works/reviews/sheffield_02/ruth_gemmell_sheffield_telegraph_interview.shtml |url-status=live |access-date=15 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150415215130/http://www.petergill7.co.uk/works/reviews/sheffield_02/ruth_gemmell_sheffield_telegraph_interview.shtml |archive-date=15 April 2015 |via=petergill7.co.uk}}</ref> * [[Ian Hamilton (critic)|Ian Hamilton]] β poet and editor * [[Ann Heron]] β victim of notorious unsolved murder in the town in 1990 * [[Ralph Hodgson]] β poet<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 February 2009 |title=Town's most famous poet who had a passion for bull mastiffs |url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/history/4161940.towns-famous-poet-passion-bull-mastiffs/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211014013817/https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/history/4161940.towns-famous-poet-passion-bull-mastiffs/ |archive-date=14 October 2021 |access-date=6 December 2020 |website=The Northern Echo}}</ref> * [[George Gordon Hoskins]] β architect responsible for many of Darlington's [[Victorian architecture|Victorian]] buildings * [[Joy Grieveson]] β European silver 400m medalist and Olympian * [[Glenn Hugill]] β actor and television producer<ref>{{Cite news |date=15 February 2007 |title=Ex-Corrie star outed as No Deal banker |work=Manchester Evening News |url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/ex-corrie-star-outed-as-no-deal-1026405 |url-status=live |access-date=24 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161110235201/http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/ex-corrie-star-outed-as-no-deal-1026405 |archive-date=10 November 2016}}</ref> * [[Richard Hurndall]] β actor<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 April 1984 |title=Richard Hurndall |page=14 |work=The Times |url=http://cuttingsarchive.org/index.php/Richard_Hurndall |via=The Doctor Who Cuttings Archive}}</ref> * [[Robert Anderson Jardine]] β vicar * [[John Kenworthy]] β aeronautical engineer and aircraft designer in World War I<ref>{{Cite web |title=1933 Who's Who in British Aviation: Name K |url=https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/1933_Who%27s_Who_in_British_Aviation%3A_Name_K |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221213211747/https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/1933_Who%27s_Who_in_British_Aviation%3A_Name_K |archive-date=13 December 2022 |access-date=11 January 2023}}</ref> * [[Alan Kitching (Typographic artist)|Alan Kitching]] β typographic artist and teacher * [[Philippa Langley]] β discovered the remains of Richard III in a car park in Leicester in 2012<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Ashdown-Hill |first1=J. |title=Finding Richard III: The Official Account of Research by the Retrieval and Reburial Project |last2=Johnson |first2=D. |last3=Johnson |first3=W. |last4=Langley |first4=P. |date=2014 |publisher=Imprimis Imprimatur |isbn=978-0957684027 |editor-last=Carson |editor-first=A. J.}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=23 August 2015 |title=Darlington-raised Philippa Langley set for more digging into history |url=https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/13621152.darlington-raised-philippa-langley-set-digging-history/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220912151533/https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/13621152.darlington-raised-philippa-langley-set-digging-history/ |archive-date=12 September 2022 |access-date=12 September 2022 |website=Northern Echo}}</ref> * [[Mary Lawson (actress)|Mary Lawson]] (1910β1940) β stage and film actress of 1920s and 1930s, born in Darlington, killed in air raid on Liverpool<ref name="timesmay101941">{{Cite news |date=10 May 1941 |title=Second Raid on Humber Area Many Casualties, Other Attacks in North Midlands |page=2 |work=[[The Times]] |issue=48922 |location=London}}</ref><ref name="echo">{{Cite news |last=Lloyd |first=Chris |date=19 March 2003 |title=Echo memories β Tragic star whose light was snuffed out too early |page=6b |work=The Northern Echo |location=Darlington}}</ref> * [[Michael Lee (musician)|Michael Lee]] β hard rock drummer ([[Little Angels]], [[The Cult]], [[Page and Plant]], [[Thin Lizzy]]) * [[Florence Eva Simpson]] (Eva Lorence), (1865β1923), the popular composer and writer.<ref>{{cite web |title=Katherine Ashton Simpson |url=https://artuk.org/discover/artists/simpson-katherine-ashton-18581951 |website=Art UK |publisher=ArtUK |access-date=11 September 2024}}</ref> * [[Duncan Lorimer]] β Astrophysicist <ref>{{Cite web |title=Pioneering WVU astrophysicist named prestigious Fellow of the Royal Society, the βOscarβ of the science world |url=https://wvutoday.wvu.edu/stories/2024/05/20/pioneering-wvu-astrophysicist-named-prestigious-fellow-of-the-royal-society-the-oscar-of-the-science-world}}</ref> * [[Neil Maddison]] β footballer * [[Jann Mardenborough]] β racing driver, Le Mans podium finisher * [[James Morrison (footballer)|James Morrison]] β footballer * [[Mary Osborn]] (b. 1940) β cell biologist<ref name=":0">F. M. Watt. (2004) "Mary Osborn" ''Journal of Cell Science'' '''117'''(8):1255-1256.</ref> * [[Al Pease]] β racing driver, only F1 driver disqualified for going too slow ([[1969 Canadian Grand Prix]]) * [[Edward Pease (railway pioneer)|Edward Pease]] (1767β1858) β Quaker industrialist and railway pioneer<ref name="ODNBPease">ODNB entries for Edward Pease and Joseph Pease [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/21728 Retrieved 31 July 2011, pay-walled.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170225130304/http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/21728 |date=25 February 2017 }}</ref> * [[Joseph Pease (railway pioneer)|Joseph Pease]] (1799β1872) β Quaker industrialist and railway pioneer, first Quaker MP<ref name="ODNBPease" /> * [[Julie Rayne]] β singer and actress * [[Vic Reeves]] β comedian and author, lived in Darlington as teenager Jim Moir in 1970s<ref>{{Cite news |date=6 October 2006 |title=The strange world of Lucky Jim |work=The Northern Echo |url=http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/features/leader/956116.the_strange_world_of_lucky_jim/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402114952/http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/features/leader/956116.the_strange_world_of_lucky_jim/ |archive-date=2 April 2015}}</ref> * [[Katherine Routledge]] (nΓ©e Pease) β archaeologist and anthropologist, made first scientific survey of [[Easter Island]] * [[Paul Smith (blogger)|Paul Smith]] β former radio executive and technology entrepreneur<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ford |first=Coreena |date=27 December 2019 |title=North East business leaders named on New Year's Honours List |url=https://www.business-live.co.uk/enterprise/north-east-business-leaders-named-17480571 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200718125419/https://www.business-live.co.uk/enterprise/north-east-business-leaders-named-17480571 |archive-date=18 July 2020 |access-date=18 July 2020 |website=Business Live}}</ref> * [[Willie Smith (billiards player)|Willie Smith]] β twice winner of World Billiards Championship<ref>{{Cite web |title=Billiards and Snooker Archive |url=https://www.billiardsandsnookerarchive.co.uk/players/willie-smith/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190724133944/https://www.billiardsandsnookerarchive.co.uk/players/willie-smith/ |archive-date=24 July 2019 |access-date=24 October 2019}}</ref> * [[William Thomas Stead]] β campaigning journalist, editor of ''[[The Northern Echo]]'', died in [[Sinking of the RMS Titanic|sinking of the RMS ''Titanic'']]<ref>{{Cite web |title=William Thomas Stead |url=https://www.britannica.com/biography/William-Thomas-Stead |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221102114933/https://www.britannica.com/biography/William-Thomas-Stead |archive-date=2 November 2022 |access-date=13 December 2022}}</ref> * Sir [[John Summerson]] β architectural historian<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sir John Newenham Summerson: Royal Academy of Arts |url=https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/art-artists/name/john-newenham-summerson |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924223012/https://www.royalacademy.org.uk/art-artists/name/john-newenham-summerson |archive-date=24 September 2021 |access-date=1 April 2020 |website=www.royalacademy.org.uk}}</ref> * [[Paul Swift (driver)|Paul Swift]] β professional stunt and precision driver * [[Russ Swift]] β professional stunt and precision driver * [[Callum Tarren]] - professional golfer (DP World Tour)<ref>{{cite news |title=Bunker mentality: How Darlington's finest took Chinese golf by storm |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/golf/callum-tarren-china-gold-pga-tour-michael-skelton-tiger-woods-rory-mcilroy-a8645011.html |newspaper=The Independent |first=Tom |last=Kershaw |date=21 November 2018 |access-date=1 February 2025}}</ref> *[[Geoffrey Thwaites]] β GB International Swimmer, 200m Backstroke at the 1964 Olympics<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sports Reference Olympics |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/th/geoff-thwaites-1.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200418035941/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/th/geoff-thwaites-1.html |archive-date=18 April 2020}}</ref> * [[Cherry Valentine]] (1993β2022) β drag queen<ref>{{Cite news |title=Cherry Valentine, star of RuPaul's Drag Race UK, dies aged 28 {{!}} Television & radio |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/sep/23/cherry-valentine-rupaul-drag-race-uk-dies-drag-performer-george-ward |url-status=live |access-date=24 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220923171801/https://amp.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2022/sep/23/cherry-valentine-rupaul-drag-race-uk-dies-drag-performer-george-ward |archive-date=23 September 2022}}</ref> * [[David Varey]] (born 1961) β cricketer<ref>{{Cite web |title=Player profile: David Varey |url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/22195.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130626023826/http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/player/22195.html |archive-date=26 June 2013 |access-date=3 October 2011 |website=EPSNcricinfo}}</ref> * [[Paul Walton]] β motoring journalist * [[Isaac Ward|Issac Argie Ward]] - English Boxer * [[Charlotte Whitehead]] (1843β1916) β pioneering Canadian woman physician, born in Darlington<ref>{{Cite web |title=Epic of Manitoba's First Woman Doctor |url=https://digitalcollections.lib.umanitoba.ca/islandora/object/uofm:1797431 |access-date=2024-04-30 |website=University of Manitoba Digital Collections |series=The Winnipeg Evening Tribune, 1934-04-07 (Page 43)}}</ref> * [[Giuseppe Wilson]] β footballer (Lazio and Italy) }} ==Twin towns== Darlington is [[twin towns and sister cities|twinned]] with: * [[MΓΌlheim|MΓΌlheim an der Ruhr]] in Germany. * [[Amiens]] in France.<ref name="Archant twinning 3">{{Cite web |title=British towns twinned with French towns |url=http://www.completefrance.com/language-culture/twin-towns |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130705094933/http://www.completefrance.com/language-culture/twin-towns |archive-date=5 July 2013 |access-date=20 July 2013 |website=Complete France |publisher=Archant Community Media}}</ref> ==Gallery== <gallery> file:darlingtonRailwayStation.jpg|Darlington railway station file:King's Head Hotel, Darlington (geograph 6355104).jpg|The north side of Darlington centre square</gallery> ==See also== {{Portal|North East England}} * [[Darlington Corporation Light Railways]] * [[Trolleybuses in Darlington]] * [[Killing of Ann Heron|Murder of Ann Heron]] ==Notes== {{notelist|30em}} ==References== {{reflist|30em}} ==External links== {{Wikivoyage|Darlington}} * www.pioneercourt.co.uk * {{Commons category-inline|Darlington}} * [http://www.darlington.gov.uk/ Darlington Borough Council] * [http://www.pbase.com/csdesign/darlington_postcards Historic Postcards of Darlington] * [https://www.head-of-steam.co.uk/ Darlington Head of Steam Museum] {{Durham}} {{Darlington}} {{Authority control}} [[Category:Darlington| ]] [[Category:Towns in County Durham]] [[Category:Railway towns in England]] [[Category:Places in the Tees Valley]] [[Category:Unparished areas in County Durham]] [[Category:Places in the Borough of Darlington]] [[Category:Former civil parishes in County Durham]]
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