Hopetown Darlington, the north of England’s newest visitor attraction celebrating Darlington’s pioneering railway heritage, has announced its Christmas plans for the upcoming festive season
With the magnificent, newly-restored replica Locomotion No. 1 as a stunning centrepiece, the historic Grade II listed Carriage Works will be transformed into a snow-covered, fantastical forest of
magical trees and woodland creatures
Santa has steamed into Hopetown Darlington on Locomotion No.1 to take a quick rest before he sets off all around the world delivering presents. There’s just one problem – his reindeer have escaped! Help to look for them so they can pull his sleigh!
Take a wondrous wintery walk through the Enchanted Forest Reindeer Trail to hunt for clues and find all the reindeer so Santa can get on his way for his most important journey of the year – from Christmas eve into Christmas day
Explore the enchanted forest every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in the last week of November and throughout December. The trail is also available on the last weekend of November
and in between Christmas and New Year
Tickets are £5 per child for the Enchanted Woodland Trail and adults are free of charge (ticket required)
Separately, families can also visit Santa Claus in the stunning Grade II-listed Carriage Works
A visit to Santa’s grotto is the highlight of a two-hour event including festive crafts and storytelling, and a wondrous wintry walk in the Enchanted Forest Reindeer Trail
Children can create their own holly crown and join Padraig the Storyteller around a traditional Anglo-Saxon cart as he regales them with long-forgotten Christmas stories. Hear about how the tale
of the Holly King links to Father Christmas and the changing of the seasons
Meet Santa Claus himself and talk about Christmas plans this year. Every child visiting Santa will receive an early Christmas gift
Starting on Friday 6th December, Santa will be at Hopetown Darlington every Friday, Saturday and Sunday – and on Monday 23 December – leading up to Christmas
Prices start at £22.50 for one child and up to two accompanying adults. Additional adults are £5 each
Schools can make use of exclusive visits to the Enchanted Forest to take part in the interactive trail and visit Santa Claus. Pupils will receive an early Christmas present and take part in storytelling and arts and crafts Each pupil will also receive a certificate at end of the trail
School visits are available Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from the last week of November until the end of the school term
Details for Christmas at the Carriage Works are available on Hopetown Darlington’s What’s On webpage