This summer, travellers are invited to explore the birthplace of passenger railways along a beautifully redeveloped route in County Durham. The Stockton & Darlington Railway (S&DR), inaugurated on 27 September 1825 as the world’s first public steam railway, not only carried coal but also 550 passengers on its second day. As the region marks its bicentenary in 2025, a transformative initiative is inviting international visitors to walk, cycle and ride through living history.
The S&DR Trail of Discovery retraces the original 26‑mile track from Witton Park Colliery to Stockton Riverside, weaving together restored heritage sites, art installations, podcasts and augmented reality experiences. Visitors can begin at Brusselton Incline in Shildon, walk past Heighington, the world’s earliest station still standing, and continue to the Skerne Bridge in Darlington, reputedly the oldest railway bridge still in active service.
These immersive experiences are supported by museums like Locomotion in Shildon, with its impressive collection of 99 locomotives including Stephenson’s iconic Locomotion No. 1 and Hopetown Darlington, housed in the North Road station. The trail now encourages multi‑day visits, with opportunities to walk, train-hop, dine and stay locally – designed to reinvigorate former mining communities long overlooked in Britain’s “levelling‑up” efforts.
Beyond picturesque scenery and sound heritage, this initiative is a strategic tourism catalyst. Bolstered by an estimated £57 million investment in cultural infrastructure, the nine‑month S&DR200 festival, including “Railway 200” national events and “The Greatest Gathering” of rolling stock, is positioning County Durham as a must‑visit destination.
For international travellers, this means more than sightseeing – it’s stepping onto the world’s first passenger railway and understanding how steam power sparked a global transport revolution. With engaging storyboards, AR games and rich cultural programming, the trail offers both educational depth and a celebration of community resilience. For those seeking meaningful travel, it’s a journey through both heritage and hope.
