About the Trail of Discovery

Find Out More

The S&DR Trail of Discovery is a walking and cycling route that follows key sections of the original Stockton & Darlington Railway across County Durham, Darlington, and Stockton.

Spanning 26 miles, with 9 miles of active railway, the trail marks the legacy of the world's first passenger and goods railway, launched on 27 September 1825. You'll encounter historic sites like the first train platform and the oldest working railway bridge, with illustrated panels sharing stories and insights along the way.

An interactive treasure hunt adds to the journey, featuring augmented reality dioramas of key moments in history, plus podcasts from historians and storytellers.

Start Your Journey

1. Create an Account

2. Scan Panels

As you follow the trail, keep an eye out for special physical panels. Use your phone to scan them and collect digital badges, audio clips, and hidden stories.

3. Explore the Trail

Use the built-in map to guide your journey. Find key landmarks, murals, and points of interest as you walk or cycle through history.

Why the Trail is Important

On 27 September 1825, the Stockton and Darlington Railway made its first journey, becoming the world's first passenger and goods railway. The trail follows much of the original 26-mile line, honouring the people who helped shape the modern world.

Recognised as a Heritage Action Zone by Historic England in 2018, the route has since seen major conservation and restoration efforts to protect its legacy.

Our goal is to bring history to life in an accessible, engaging way while inviting the public to explore, learn, and experience the legacy of the railway first-hand. Alongside physical improvements to the route, we've introduced features that deepen the experience including clear signage, rest points, and information panels that share the stories behind key locations.

Accessing the Augmented Reality Diorama's

Bring the S&DR Trail of Discovery to life with Augmented Reality Dioramas. In the Word Hunt section of the app or website, you'll find AR scenes linked to key locations along the trail.

What You'll Need:

A compatible smartphone or tablet
A stable internet connection

How Do I Open the Diorama's?

The way our dioramas open depends on your mobile device type.

Android: opening an AR scene will take you to Google Chrome's built in augmented reality browser.
iOS: clicking the 'See AR' button on iOS will take you to a page where the model is loading. Simply press the model and you will be taken to Apple's AR Quick Look where you can look at the model and bring it to life using Augmented Reality

Do I Need to Download an App?

Providing your device is compatible, all of the augmented reality scenes can be opened using your mobile device's browser.

Ready to Explore?

Head to the Word Hunt section, pick a location and don't forget to find the hidden word within the scene!

How Do I Access the 3D Models?

Once collected, you can view our 3D models through Sketchfab, an online platform for exploring interactive 3D content.

Tap to open, rotate, zoom, and explore our 3D scenes - No downloads needed.

Keep in mind that loading 3D models can use a significant amount of data, so we recommend using Wi-Fi when possible.

Do I Need to Do This All in One Day?

Not at all. The S&DR Discovery Trail is made to be explored at your own pace. Whether you're after a short walk, a weekend cycle, or just want to see a few highlights, the 26-mile route is easy to break into smaller sections.

Rest stops, seating, and info points are dotted along the way, with parks, towns, and museums nearby for snacks and local sights.