6 Outdoor Trips To Make From Darlington In May
The sun is out and the flowers are blooming. In other words, spring has sprung! And that can mean only one thing: making the most of the great outdoors with fun day trips.
Located just a stone’s throw of fascinating heritage sites, mouth-watering eateries, and stunning natural landmarks (all highly accessible thanks to great local transport links), the historic market town of Darlington has something to offer every visitor looking for a memorable outdoor trip.
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Raby Castle
Raby Castle is one of the largest intact medieval castles in Britain, dating back to the 14th century. Set within a 200-acre estate, the castle has hosted kings, queens, poets and traitors, and now it can host you and your family for a truly historic day out!
As well as the magnificent castle and its fully furnished interior, there’s the deer park, the walled gardens, a shop, and an adventure playground to keep the kids entertained, known as the Plotter’s Forest.
The castle hosts plenty of events throughout May, including deer park safaris, horse rides, gardener’s tours, a barbeque, and even a chance for children to get a taste of what life was like for workers in Victorian times.
Darlington Covered Market
This being the British Isles, spring and summer don’t necessarily guarantee fine weather. But even if the rain starts pouring, you can enjoy a great, dry day out at Darlington Covered Market.
Home to delicious street food and traditional market stalls, this huge market is a great place to while away the afternoon sampling both local and international delicacies, picking up fresh fruit, veg, meat and fish for the tea, or buying new clothes, footwear, gifts, and luxury goods for yourself and your loved ones.
Hopetown Darlington
Formerly known as the Head of Steam and Darlington Railway Centre and Museum, Hopetown gives you the chance to see the innovative spirit that powered the country through the Industrial Revolution.
In 1825, one railway journey changed the world, when Locomotion No.1 became the first steam locomotive to pull a passenger train along a stretch of railway between Darlington and Stockton. Hopetown honours that milestone and the subsequent achievements of Darlington’s railway and engineering industries with exhibitions, archives, media experiences and more.
And after you’ve seen all there is to see, you can enjoy cake and coffee in the artisan café while the kids play on the railway themed adventure playpark.
Archer’s Jersey Ice Cream Parlour
One of the best ways to enjoy a place is to support its local businesses, and one of the best local businesses to visit in Darlington is Archer’s Ice Cream Parlour.
Run by the Archer family using milk supplied by their very own farm (as well as other locally sourced ingredients like fudge and honey), the ice cream parlour gives you Italian ice cream with a local twist, using authentic Italian techniques and the best milk from free range cows living in County Durham.
Binchester Roman Fort
Even the Romans loved a day out in Darlington, so much so that they built themselves a huge fort so they could enjoy the local area all year round (and control the natives of course. But they probably also appreciated the scenery).
Binchester (or Vinovia as the Romans called it) is one of the largest and best-preserved Roman settlements in Northern Britain, complete with two bathhouses. Follow in the footsteps of Roman soldiers and get an insight into what life was like on the Empire’s Northern frontier with a guided tour.
The North Yorkshire Moors
A short drive from Darlington town centre lies the vast expanse of the North Yorkshire Moors, full of nature, wildlife and dramatic beauty.
Go on a picnic or a hike, cycle through the heather, or visit the many villages and ruins with the family. It’s impossible not to enjoy an outdoor trip when the outdoors in question is so spectacular.
There are plenty more wonderful places to visit in and around Darlington. To see them all for yourself, why not make the town your permanent base? These new homes in Darlington are beautiful and comfortable, located in gorgeous surroundings close to local amenities and attractions.
This author’s life has been an adventure. He has visited over 30 countries, and lived in four different states. He is a traveler at heart, but he also loves exploring the outdoors on his bicycle or hiking with his canine companion.
