Darlington

Darlington is a market town and municipal borough in County Durham, England. It lies on the River Skerne within the Tees Valley area and serves as the administrative center of the Borough of Darlington. The town is located at important road and rail corridors that connect the northeast to other regions, reflecting its historic role as a regional hub.

Darlington’s early growth centered on market rights and river crossings. The town expanded significantly in the 19th century with the development of railway industry, most notably through the Stockton and Darlington Railway opened in 1825. This line linked Stockton-on-Tees with Darlington and is regarded as the world’s first publicly operating steam railway. The associated locomotive works and engineering activities helped shape the town’s industrial character, a heritage that remains visible in local museums and historical sites.

Today, Darlington’s economy is diversified, with services and logistics complementing any remaining manufacturing. The town preserves its railway heritage in venues such as the Head of Steam – Darlington Railway Museum and other historic landmarks. It continues to function as a local commercial and cultural center, hosting markets, theatres, and community facilities, while maintaining strong transport connections by rail and road.

Beyond England, the name Darlington is used for other places, including Darlington, New South Wales, a suburb of Sydney. The term also appears in science through the Darlington transistor arrangement, named after Sidney Darlington, an engineer who helped popularize a high-gain two-transistor configuration.