SDR - Hopetown Museum and the River Skerne Circular ~ Griffmonsters Great Walks

A 4.5 mile circular walk taking in the Hopetown museum and the River Skerne riverside path

Short description

Walk Statistics

Start location: Darlington
Distance: miles ( km)
Total Gain: ft ( metre)
Total Descent: ft ( metre)
Min Height: ft ( metre)
Max Height: ft ( metre)
Walk Time:
Walk Grade: Easy
Terrain: Footpath, Road

Maps:

The following maps and services can assist in navigating this route. There are links to printed maps and links to downloadable GPX route data for importing into navigational software and apps.

Ordnance Survey Explorer Map: OS Explorer 304 - Darlington & Richmond
GPX Route File

Walk Notes

We start and end the walk at St Cuthberts church which stands as one of the most magnificent early Gothic churches in North East England, renowned for its architectural grandeur and deep historical roots. Dating back to 1180, this Grade I listed building showcases a remarkably unified Early English architectural style, largely credited to the vision of Bishop Hugh de Puiset. Among its most striking historic features are the imposing 14th-century central tower and spire, which dominate the town’s skyline, and the exceptionally rare, highly decorated 14th-century stone rood screen (or pulpitum) that spans the chancel arch. Inside, the church’s ancient past comes alive through its finely carved 15th-century misericords, a soaring tier of 13th-century lancet windows in the transepts, and a font dating back to the 17th century.

The walk then navigates the streets of Darlington northwards to Hopetown, which takes its name from the old 19th century foundary that was built there. For anyone visiting Darlington, the Hopetown museum is a well worth attraction to while away several hours.

Hopetown Darlington and the historic Skerne Bridge offer an immersive journey back to the birth of modern rail travel along the Stockton & Darlington Railway (S&DR) Trail of Discovery. Together, these pioneering landmarks capture the engineering marvels and inventive spirit that transformed global transport forever.

Hopetown Darlington is a brand-new, £35 million world-class visitor attraction spread across a dynamic 7.5-acre heritage site. This innovative destination breathes new life into historic railway buildings, including the Grade II* listed 1842 North Road Station and the Hopetown Carriage Works. Visitors can step like a time machine into the past to explore a vast collection of over 30,000 historic objects, vehicles, and art installations. It is a venue designed to engage families and inspire the next generation of innovators by connecting them directly with pioneering industrial history.

Just a short distance away stands the legendary Skerne Bridge, celebrated as the world’s oldest railway bridge still in use for its original purpose. Collaboratively designed by railway pioneer George Stephenson and architect Ignatius Bonomi, this robust stone arch bridge has carried trains continuously since the S&DR’s grand opening day on 25 September 1825. The bridge was such a profound source of national pride that it was featured on the railway company’s early share certificates.

Skerne Bridge also boasts a quirky spot in cultural history due to an artistic blunder. When local artist John Dobbin painted the opening day ceremonies years later, he mistakenly included reinforcement walls that hadn’t been built yet—a famous error that was repeated for decades and even ended up printed on the Bank of England’s £5 note in the 1990s! Seeing this enduring monument in person offers a rare opportunity to stand before a true, living piece of world-changing engineering that continues to function exactly as it did two centuries ago.

We end the walk at the Orb micropub where Colins Birthday at the Brewery was available from the Three Brothers brewery. A very moreish milk stout, with a highly memorable name and a fitting end to the days discoveries.

References

Directions

Introductory Paragraph

From St Cuthberts church, head north up Crown Street and then onto Northgate.
Pass under the Northgate roundabout and continue in the northerly direction.
Station Road diverges on the left, take this and follow to McNay Street on the right back down to the main road. The entrance to the Museum is on the left
From the Museum, head back onto Northgate and straight over following the walkway down to the river
Turn left, under the Skerne bridge and keep following the riverside path
Where a footbridge crosses the river, take this to proceed along the opposite bank
The path eventually emerges onto Haughton Road. Turn right and follow the road back towards Darlington
Soon after passing over the railway bridge, turn right onto Dundee street. At the end turn left and then follow the walkway on the right down into the car park
Exit the car park onto Chesnut Street and proceed back onto Northgate, turning left to return to the town centre
Follow Northgate and then High Row through the town until High Row bends around to the right, this will then pass onto Coniscliffe Road with the Orb micropub on the right
Return to town and head back to St Cuthberts

Directions

Introductory Paragraph

From St Cuthberts church, head north up Crown Street and then onto Northgate.
Pass under the Northgate roundabout and continue in the northerly direction.
Station Road diverges on the left, take this and follow to McNay Street on the right back down to the main road. The entrance to the Museum is on the left
From the Museum, head back onto Northgate and straight over following the walkway down to the river
Turn left, under the Skerne bridge and keep following the riverside path
Where a footbridge crosses the river, take this to proceed along the opposite bank
The path eventually emerges onto Haughton Road. Turn right and follow the road back towards Darlington
Soon after passing over the railway bridge, turn right onto Dundee street. At the end turn left and then follow the walkway on the right down into the car park
Exit the car park onto Chesnut Street and proceed back onto Northgate, turning left to return to the town centre
Follow Northgate and then High Row through the town until High Row bends around to the right, this will then pass onto Coniscliffe Road with the Orb micropub on the right
Return to town and head back to St Cuthberts

Pubs

The Orb Micropub, Darlington

Address: 28 Coniscliffe Rd, Darlington, DL3 7RG
Website: https://camra.org.uk/pubs/orb-micropub-darlington-186815

A fantastic little micropub that offers cask and craft ales from small local brewers and an extensive selection of whiskys. Friendly and welcoming. A great little place.

Images