Hopetown Darlington is one of only two venues in the North East to win a VisitEngland accolade this year.
The visitor attraction has been awarded the VisitEngland Welcome accolade, recognising excellence within the visitor attraction sector. The accolade was awarded based on scores that the attraction obtained following their annual VisitEngland Visitor Attraction Quality Scheme (VAQAS) assessment.
The accolade follows on from a string of awards and nominations since opening in July 2024, including Best Museum or Cultural Venue 2024, Willmott Dixon Construction Award, Heritage Railway Association Railway 200 Special Award, and more.
VisitEngland Director Andrew Stokes said: “These accolades put England’s outstanding attractions in the spotlight as they recognise the amazing visitor experiences available across the country. They acknowledge the people who give the warmest welcomes, provide the most mouth-watering food and tell the stories that delight visitors, making them jewels of our tourism offer.
“The excellence on show today underlines the quality within the industry, ensuring fantastic visitor experiences. From galleries and museums, breweries and castles to theme parks and gardens, nature reserves and wineries, these attractions go the extra mile to guarantee visitors leave with magical memories.”
Mike Crawshaw, Head of Heritage and Culture at Darlington Borough Council, said: “It means the world to Hopetown to win the award. It recognises the strong customer service skill of our wonderful Welcome Team and how much care and attention goes into making sure every visitor has an exciting and positive experience. Whether you are visiting for an event, to explore our heritage or even if you are just popping in for a coffee, you will receive the warmest welcome. In the year of an incredibly successful festival celebrating 200 years of the Stockton & Darlington Railway, winning another award due to the hard work of our staff is the perfect icing on the cake. ”
Visitors can plan their visit by heading to Hopetown Darlington’s website https://www.hopetowndarlington.co.uk/.
The VisitEngland Visitor Attraction Awards were presented at a celebratory lunch at the British Motor Museum in Warwickshire.
See the full list of attractions to receive a VisitEngland Accolade:
