Best in North East award for Hopetown Darlington
Hopetown Darlington has won the highly prestigious North East Culture Award for Best Museum or Cultural Venue.
The award recognised the impact Hopetown Darlington has had in both Darlington and the wider region, and is a testament to all of the staff and partners who tell the story of Darlington's pioneering railway heritage.
The North East Culture Awards are an annual celebration of the thriving arts and cultural scene in the North East of England. They are organised by Reach plc, one of Britain's biggest newspaper groups.
Other nominees in the Best Museum or Cultural Venue category included Beamish the Living Museum of the North, Laurels and The Story.
The quality of submissions was high, and the impressive level of entries meant there was much debate at an intense session for the panel of judges drawn from arts and culture organisations across the region.
This award follows on from Hopetown’s recently awarded Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Scheme accolade and the Welcome accolade, both awarded by VisitEngland.
Councillor Libby McCollom, our cabinet member for Local Services, said: “I am incredibly proud of this fantastic achievement for Hopetown Darlington. This award shows that Hopetown is excelling in its mission to tell Darlington’s pioneering railway heritage to all generations through playful and innovative ways. Hopetown Darlington is special jewel in the crown for tourism in Darlington and the wider region.”
Leona White-Hannant, Hopetown Darlington’s Development Director, said: “I am delighted that Hopetown Darlington has won the North East Culture Award for Best Museum 2024. It is fantastic that our new visitor attraction, which only opened in July of this year, has been acknowledged by the panel as the best museum in the region. It is a testament to all the hard work from the whole team to not only give visitors the best experience, but to help celebrate and promote our railway heritage.”
The award ceremony, which was headline partnered by Sunderland City Council and the University of Sunderland - and supported by Arts Council England - was held at the Fire Station venue in Sunderland.
Visitors can plan their visit to Hopetown Darlington by visiting Hopetown Darlington Site admission is free. Some exhibitions, events and activities carry a separate charge. Pre-booking online is recommended.