Cottages in Darlington

Darlington is a vibrant market town in County Durham, England. The charming town is an excellent place for couples, families, and history lovers to explore on holiday. Here you’ll find lovely walkable streets lined with great shops and restaurants, as well as historic attractions and green parks around every corner. Spend your time browsing museums to learn about the local history, enjoy peaceful strolls through gardens, and explore medieval castles.

Relax to the fullest with a cosy cottage in Darlington. The quaint town offers a wide range of cottage rentals, with a little something for every type of traveller. Opt for a cottage on a quiet street with green gardens and plenty of privacy. Families can choose an oversized cottage with several bedrooms and a full-sized kitchen. Couples can opt for a cottage with a hot tub and a private balcony. Darlington cottages are well-equipped with all the modern amenities and features you’ll need to feel comfortable throughout your stay including high-speed Wi-Fi, a washing machine, and heating. There are plenty of pet-friendly options if you’d like to bring your furry companion along!

Couples can enjoy a great many romantic activities together during a holiday in Darlington. Spend an evening with your partner at the stunning Darlington Hippodrome. This restored Edwardian theatre boasts regular theatre performances as well as a café lounge and bar where you can enjoy drinks and food. Call ahead to check the schedule before you come and watch a ballet, a play, or a musical performance. It’s a great and memorable date night activity!

Darlington is widely regarded as the birthplace of the modern railway. Enjoy a family visit to the Head of Steam Darlington Railway Museum where you can learn all about the town’s history and association with the modern railway. The museum is set inside of Darlington’s original 1840s railway station and boasts an extensive collection of informative displays and artefacts. Spend a few hours here exploring the interactive exhibits, grabbing a bite to eat at the café, and browsing the gift shop for a souvenir before you go!

Tour the magnificent Raby Castle which boasts a great many rooms to explore and friendly, knowledgable guides ready to offer interesting information about the history of the place. The outside is worth taking some time to discover as well with its stunning gardens and a lovely deer walk. There’s a nice café on-site serving tea, cakes, soup, and other light fare. You could easily spend the entire day here leisurely enjoying the scenery and unique attractions.

Spend a sunny day peacefully exploring the Thornton Hall Gardens. The pristine gardens boast a series of walking paths that are lined with colourful plants, statues, benches, and trees all along the way. The gardens are also home to the stunning Thornton Hall Medieval House which can be seen as a part of your tour.

This popular council-run public park boasts several paved walking paths, an aviary, sports facilities, woodlands, a river, and a small pond. Spend an hour or two enjoying a peaceful walk here. Children can enjoy the play area or feed ducks at the pond!

A visit to the fabulous David Mach’s Train Sculpture is a must. The enormous, impressive train sculpture is made entirely from red house bricks. The artist did a brilliant job of capturing the feeling of speed and power of a moving train! Spend an hour or so admiring the sculpture, reading the informational plaques, and snapping some photos!

The Dolphin Centre is a leisure centre in the heart of Darlington. Bring your bathing suits and splash around in the swimming pool. There are several diving boards and slides for kids to enjoy! Afterwards, head to the bistro to enjoy a delicious meal in a lovely dining area.

The centre of Darlington is filled with walkable streets lined with shops, restaurants, cafés, parks, and other attractions. One of the best ways to explore the town is to simply set off and freely wander around in the centre. You’ll find clothing shops, bookshops, thrift shops and more!

This lovely historical site is run by volunteers. Enjoy a guided tour of the pumping station by the enthusiastic staff who will teach you all about the historic steam engines at the site. It’s a must-visit if you’re interested in history or engineering! There’s also a tearoom where you can enjoy cakes, sandwiches, and other light fare after your tour!