Live in Darlington

Big enough to have a lively buzz, yet small enough to be a real community. Named as one of the best places to live in the UK, Darlington has a low cost of living but a high quality of life.

Low house prices and great choice

Darlington has a wide choice of housing featuring a mix of the old and the new and an average house price of just £125,000. There is also a choice of good and outstanding schools and colleges. Follow this link to our Invest in Darlington site for details of new housing developments in Darlington.

Great location

Within easy reach of three National Parks – the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors Darlington also boasts great transport links. It is great for getting around by road and rail, sitting as it does at the intersection of the A66 and A1(M) as well as being a major hub on the East Coast Mainline, with less than an hour’s travelling time to York and Newcastle.

High performing schools

Darlington has a great choice of high performing primary and secondary schools. Follow the link to our Schools Finder pages for details.

Darlington is well placed to access higher education and further training. Follow this link to our Further Education pages.

Open spaces and parks

Our 16 parks and ten nature reserves stretch right across the borough. Each one offers a uniquely different experience. There’s the Victorian splendour of South Park which is the oldest park in the region and the freshness of Riverside Park, the town’s newest green space set next to the river and on the doorstep of the town centre.

Shop in Darlington

Darlington has a great mix of national brands such as Next and M & S and its great range of independent shops and small businesses. From cheese to designer fashion, home décor to work by renowned artists, the streets and quirky yards of Darlington are well worth exploring.

Relax in Darlington

You’ll find a range of quality restaurants and bars, from reliable national chains to quirky independents catering to all tastes. Those looking for something special won’t be disappointed with the Raby Hunt in Summerhouse, on the outskirts of the borough, one of the only two Michelin-starred restaurants in the North-East. Darlington is also home to Rockliffe Hall, the award-winning five-star hotel, spa and golf complex. The new Feethams Leisure complex in the heart of town offers a multi-screen cinema and a range of restaurants and bars.

Drama in Darlington

Dramatic changes have taken place on Darlington’s theatre and arts scene with a multi million pound transformation of the Edwardian Civic Theatre now the Hippodrome and a state of the art national children’s theatre Hullaballoo. Alongside this there is a thriving arts and culture scene with an annual arts festival, community carnival, music venues and much more.