Local Area
Central Park is in an excellent location in the centre of town. The main railway station and high street shops are less than a five minute walk away.
Located in South Durham, the market town of Darlington was built in 1183. During the 19th Century, powerful Quaker families were prominent employers and philanthropists in the area. Darlington’s’ most famous landmark, the clock tower was a gift to the town by the industrialist and Quaker, Joseph Pease in 1864.
The town is known for its association with railways and the world’s first passenger rail journey was between Shildon and Stockton-On-Tees via Darlington in 1825.
In recent years, the town centre has undergone a full refurbishment entitled The Pedestrian Heart, which has seen the majority of the town centre pedestrianised. The Feethams Leisure Project, which will include a multiplex cinema, hotel, shops and restaurants, is also close to completion.
The Civic Theatre is a popular arts venue in town, hosting a mix of musicals, dramas, plays and pantomimes and the Forum Music Centre hosts regular live music events.
The town centre also builds on its heritage as a market town with fresh local produce on sale in the Victorian covered market, a vibrant outdoor market on Saturdays and Mondays, and occasional speciality markets also taking place.
For those who like retail therapy, Darlington has over 500 shops and independent stores. The Cornmill indoor shopping centre includes over 40 stores including many high street names.
There are lots of opportunities for days out and leisure activities locally including the Darlington Railway Museum, Croft racing circuit and Raby Castle, one of the largest English medieval castles, which is only a 15 minute drive from Central Park.
Other nearby attractions include Hardwick Park near Sedgefield, Auckland Castle in Bishop Auckland and Bowes Museum in Teesdale. The historic city of York is only a half hour train ride away and the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors are also within easy reach. The beautiful North Yorkshire market town of Richmond is only 12 miles south of Darlington.
The nearby city of Durham combines history with culture and boasts a world famous Norman Cathedral and 11th Century Castle, which were jointly designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986. The city has a wealth of cafes, gourmet food shops and craft markets, world class theatres and comedy venues, cinemas, and restaurants. The Oriental Museum at Durham University or Crook Hall and Gardens are also worth a visit.
Travel
The town is served by three close junctions on the A1(M) at junction 57 A66(M), junction 58 A68 and junction 59 A167.
The main A1(M) runs south to London and north to Edinburgh providing excellent road links to major towns and cities across the UK. Durham City is approximately 30-35 minutes drive via the A1(M) or A167 roads.
Darlington railway station is one of the main interchange stops on the East Coast Main Line, which provides regular services to London Kings Cross and Edinburgh, York, Leeds City station, Wakefield Westgate, Manchester Piccadilly, Manchester Airport and Newcastle.
Regular bus services link Darlington with the main towns and cities of the North East including Newcastle, Sunderland, Durham, Middlesbrough, Bishop Auckland, Newton Aycliffe, Sedgefield, Barnard Castle, Catterick and Richmond.
Darlington has its very own airport, Durham Tees Valley Airport which is five miles east of the town centre. It offers passengers with a selection of scheduled domestic and international flights to locations across Europe. Newcastle International Airport is approximately 45 miles north of Darlington and Leeds Bradford International Airport is 62 miles away.
Education
There are many schools and colleges only a short distance from Central Park. Heathfield Primary School, Corporate Road Community Primary School, Reid Street Primary School and St. Teresa’s Roman Catholic Primary School are all located nearby.
Adjacent to Central Park is Darlington College, which is awarded outstanding by Ofsted and provides Further and Higher Education and apprenticeships to 14-18 year olds. The new state-of-the-art facility provides a range of courses available at a range of levels.
Also situated next to Central Park is Teesside University Darlington with a range of Higher Education, Business and Training facilities.
Located in the town centre, Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College offers a range of full time and part time courses while the Universities of Durham, Newcastle, Sunderland and Teesside are all within easy reach by train or car.