Hopetown Darlington

Following a £35m investment, Hopetown Darlington opened its doors as a unique blend of museum and community facility, dedicated to enrichment, exploration, and inspiration. Situated on the historic 1825 route of the Stockton and Darlington Railway (the world’s first steam-powered passenger railway) the 7.5-acre site celebrates the birth of modern rail travel. In collaboration with our friends Hemingway Design, we undertook depth consultation and research to develop a robust evidence base, whist Hemingway Design crafted the brand proposition, naming, and visual identity for the North-East’s newest visitor attraction. Every building and exhibit has been carefully designed to engage visitors in the world-changing story of the first steam locomotive, Locomotive No. 1, and its pivotal role in shaping global transportation. A verbatim quote from our consultation became the lead proposition for the site's redevelopment, and even made it onto the staff uniforms: 'We changed the world from here'.