Quality of Life
It’s simple to see why people choose to live in Darlington – it offers a fantastic quality of life which is second to none! Whether you are interested in music and the performing arts, sport and leisure, or tourism and heritage, Darlington has something to offer everyone.
Home to the UK's first "Festival of Thrift", Darlington is the gateway to the Yorkshire and Durham Dales, with the Yorkshire Dales National Park and Upper Teasdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty only 30 minutes drive away.
Having excellent transport links means that those living in Darlington enjoy easy access to the rest of the country, with Newcastle, Northumberland, Cumbria, County Durham, the North York Moors National Park and the Pennines all in easy reach. The drive time to Leeds, York or Newcastle is around one hour, and close proximity to the A66 puts the Lake District within easy reach too!
7th
Darlington voted '7th Happiest place to live' according to the Government's 'life satisfaction index' (2015) based on housing affordability and quality of life
45,000
visitors to the 2015 Festival of Thrift from all over the country
Discover More
By Day
A historic yet lively market town, there is a real buzz about Darlington, where vibrant street theatre sits hand in hand with the attractive Quaker architecture of High Row, the Town Clock and Victorian Market Hall. And with more independent and designer shops than many other towns of a similar size it is the discerning choice for shoppers where you are guaranteed to find something different!
By Night
By night, the town jumps into a lively hub of activity, with a choice of bars, restaurants, and nightclubs and a wide selection of restaurants cater to all tastes, from contemporary fare at Truffle or award winning Indian Cuisine at Café Spice, winner of the BCA Caterer of the Year 2014 award. Meanwhile, the nearby Raby Hunt offers something truly exceptional, as the North East’s only Michelin starred restaurant.
The Great Outdoors
The area is not short of open spaces, with the popular and award-winning South Park on hand and the Pennines, North Yorkshire Dales, and North Yorkshire National Park in close proximity. And if you want a top class golfing experience then Rockliffe Hall is the place for you with one of Europe’s most challenging Championship courses.
In spite of its many qualities and popularity, Darlington is a cost effective location – you get more out of life for your money in Darlington.