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Historic Towns & Picturesque Villages

Hartland Bay

Hartland

in the county of Devon

Porlock.

Porlock

a Seaside Town in the county of Somerset

Pictures of Darlington

in the county of County Durham

About Darlington

Whatever the pre-history of Darlington the town will forever be recalled as the place from which George Stephenson's locomotive, Locomotion Nr.I, pulled the carriage on the world's first public passenger railway. The date was September 27, 1825 - the train travelled from Shildon to Darlington. The romantic age of steam rail travel, and the engine used on this momentous occasion is celebrated in the Darlington Railway Centre and Museum - this makes a lively and interesting visit for everyone.

Darlington, bustling though it is today was once a small Saxon settlement, this flourished as evidenced by the beautiful building of the church dedicated to Saint Cuthbert which lies at the heart of the town. A church has stood on this spot for over a thousand years, but the church as we see it today is a building from around 1180. With its soaring spire, the church serves as a landmark viewed from all around the town. Darlington's other noteworthy church does not have such historic interest, never-the-less, like Saint Cuthbert's, the Church of the Holy Trinity built during the Victorian era, is well worth seeing. Interestingly, there has been a Carmelite Convent in Darlington since around 1830.

As you would expect the centre of Darlington is crammed with all the usual stores to be found in most large places, it has a few independent retail outlets, and shops selling antiques and curio's. There is an abundance of pubs and restaurants, plenty of cafe's and much to interest night owl's.

Darlington offers visitors an interesting time, at the edge of the town you can see the brick train sculpture by David Mach, and for those seeking leisure facilities there is a near-by golf club. In the pretty countryside surrounding Darlington there are picturesque northern villages, rivers and richly wooded areas. For fishing there is the Fighting Cocks Reservoir and the Jubilee Trout Lakes. There is also a theatre, cinema and an art gallery.

Should you wish to venture a little further you can see Roman remains at Piercebridge, and Raby Castle can be found at Staindrop which stands on the lovely Langley Beck.

Recommended towns & villages near Darlington

Bishops Park, Bishop Auckland, Durham 7th Jan 2010

Bishop Auckland (142 Pictures) a Historic Market Town in the county of County Durham

(10.8 miles, 17.4 km, direction NW of Darlington)

This was the busy social and commercial centre of the south-west Durham coalfield, but the town is actually much older than the Industrial Revolution, although that historic.....

Kirk Merrington, County Durham.

Kirk Merrington (49 Pictures) in the county of County Durham

(10.8 miles, 17.4 km, direction N of Darlington)

Kirk Merrington is a pretty, hilltop village overlooking the Wear Valley and the Cleveland Hills...

Richmond, North Yorkshire

Richmond (130 Pictures) a Historic Market Town in the county of North Yorkshire

(10.8 miles, 17.5 km, direction SW of Darlington)

Richmond is a lovely old market town on the River Swale in North Yorkshire...

Escomb Saxon Church, near Bishop Auckland 15th June 2009

Escomb (7 Pictures) in the county of County Durham

(11.5 miles, 18.5 km, direction NW of Darlington)

Lying in a prominent position ringed by the River Wear, Escomb is best known for its magnificent Saxon Church reputed to be built from stones brought from the near-by ruined Roman Fort at Binchester...

Middlesbrough Town Centre, North Yorkshire

Middlesbrough (61 Pictures) in the county of North Yorkshire

(13.5 miles, 21.7 km, direction E of Darlington)

When today you look at the thriving metropolis of Middlesbrough it seems impossible to believe that less than two hundred years ago it was a tiny fishing village with a minute community, but it was...

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Nearby attractions..

Easby Abbey, Richmond, Yorkshire, South Wall

Easby Abbey (6 Pictures)

(10.8 miles, 17.4 km, direction SW)

This pleasant place is interesting for the remarkable ruins of a 12th century Premonstratensian Abbey. Here in an idyllic.....

Auckland Castle, Bishop Auckland, County Durham

Auckland Castle (48 Pictures)

(10.8 miles, 17.4 km, direction NW)

With its grand arch, Auckland Castle, also known as Auckland Palace or the Bishop's Castle, is the official residence of the.....

The magnificent Raby Castle, Staindrop, Co. Durham.

Raby Castle (31 Pictures)

(11.1 miles, 17.9 km, direction NW)

Arriving close to Staindrop from almost any direction the view of Raby Castle, built by the powerful Nevill family in the.....

Richmond Castle

Richmond Castle (50 Pictures)

(11.3 miles, 18.2 km, direction SW)

This castle, occupying a dramatic cliff-top site above the River Swale, led a fairly quiet life without any military action to.....

Egglestone Abbey

Egglestone Abbey (13 Pictures)

(14.0 miles, 22.5 km, direction W)

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Bowes Museum.. Near Barnard Castle...3rd October 2004.

Bowes Museum (12 Pictures)

(14.1 miles, 22.7 km, direction W)

Josephine Bowes, wife of John Bowes was a Parisian actress, and perhaps this shows in the choice of building they chose as a.....

A view of the Castle at Barnard Castle, County Durham

Barnard Castle (26 Pictures)

(14.4 miles, 23.2 km, direction W)

This historic town is a picturesque centre for discovering the delights of Teesdale. The town occupies a clifftop site above.....


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