Living And Working In Darlington

Darlington is a town which is situated in the north east of England. The nearest airport, Teesside International Airport, is only a few miles away and there are regular and direct trains which will get you to London in around two and a half hours and Edinburgh in two hours.

The River Skerne flows through Darlington until it reaches the village of Hurworth Place where it joins the River Tees. The river is known for the unique way it catches the light and is home to a variety of animals including otters and water voles.

Beginning as an Anglo saxon settlement, the history of Darlington is fascinating with countless

stories of rebellions, royalty and religion. Becoming known for its wool and linen industry, the town later became known for the Quakers faith. This Society of Friends believed in various philanthropic and social reforms such as the abolition of slavery, charitable works, good education, improved working conditions and temperance towards alcohol! Some Darlington Quakers were highly successful and influential business people and contributed significantly to the economy and prosperity of the town.

The Industrial Revolution had a profound impact on Darlington and the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway in 1825, often considered to be the world's first passenger railway, was a vital milestone. The railway transported coal from nearby mines and helped establish Darlington as being at the heart of the railway industry. The highly skilled engineer, George Stephenson designed the locomotives along with his son Robert who later went on to develop the famous Rocket.

Fast forward to modern times and Darlington is a resilient and ambitious town characterised by robust growth and diverse sectors, making it a significant player within the Tees Valley region. Darlington has attracted substantial public and private sector investments in the last few years and is undergoing a period of exciting transformation!

Key sectors include healthcare, construction, engineering, design and advanced manufacturing, logistics, public services, digital, professional and financial services and healthcare. Darlington is an ambitious town and there are many redevelopments already underway or even completed such as the redevelopment of Darlington Station to improve the region’s local and national transport links. Hopetown Darlington is a brand new rail inspired visitor attraction spread over 7.5 acres and home to over 30,000 objects.  Other projects include a brand new state of the art office and lab space at Central Park which is close to the new CPI’s (Centre For Process Innovation) multi million pound National Biologics Manufacturing Centre. Additionally, the town has already seen some of the civil service relocated to Darlington by the government as part of the government’s ‘places for growth’ programme. The Darlington Economic Campus was established in 2021 and the town has become a hub for several governmental departments.

Darlington has several interesting landmarks such as the impressive St Cuthbert’s Church which dates back from the 12th century and is known for its beautiful architecture and historical significance. The Market Hall which opened in 1863, is a beautiful Victorian building which has been and still is home to a variety of unique and traditional stalls. The Hippodrome Theatre is a fantastic example of Edwardian architecture and there are many interesting buildings spread throughout the town, both commercial and residential with many retaining original features.

With sixteen parks and ten nature reserves, Darlington has plenty of areas in which to appreciate nature at its finest. The town centre, with its numerous interesting wynds and yards (that's a whole new article in itself!) has a good selection of shops and restaurants and a vibrant nightlife.

Darlington is in close proximity to several unique towns, cities and villages. Just a sample of these include  Durham, Middlesbrough, Northallerton, Barnard Castle, Gainford and Thirsk. The market town of Richmond, which is approximately twelve miles from Darlington, is often considered to be the unofficial capital of the Yorkshire Dales and this attractive market town is popular with visitors from around the world who wish to explore this beautiful region.

Darlington is a place where you can quickly feel a sense of belonging and the residents of the town are friendly and hospitable. With its fantastic location and strong local industry which is characterised by a diverse range of industries, Darlington can offer an unrivalled quality of life.

The next event being hosted by the UK Careers Fair will be held on August 8th between 10am - 2pm. The Darlington Arena, commonly known as the Northern Echo Arena, DL2 1DL. The arena was built in 2003 and as well as being the home ground for Darlington Mowden Park R.F.C, it also hosts concerts and other community events, maintaining its status in the region as a key venue.