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Retrace the steps of the world's first passenger and goods train!

The S&DR Trail of Discovery is a public walking and cycling route stretching from Witton Park to Stockton in County Durham.

Where possible, it follows the original path of the historic Stockton and Darlington Railway, though some sections have been rerouted or remain inaccessible due to changes over the past two centuries. This 26-mile trail commemorates the world's first passenger and freight train journey, which took place on 27 September 1825.

Along the way, you'll encounter key landmarks such as the first-ever train platform, the oldest continuously used railway bridge, and buildings once at the forefront of industrial innovation.

Developed further following Historic England's 2018 designation of the route as a Heritage Action Zone, the trail features illustrated panels that bring to life the groundbreaking story that transformed global transport, trade, and communication.

Along the Trail of Discovery

Explore different sections of the trail at your own pace, discovering scenic spots and hidden gems along the way.

Listen and Learn

Listen to our podcasts while on the go, perfect for while you're moving onto your next destination.

Immerse yourself in history anytime, anywhere with our exclusive collection of podcasts! Whether you're at home, on the go, or exploring the trail, you can tune in to fascinating stories about the Stockton & Darlington Railway.

With a variety of specialist topics to choose from, you'll hear from experts, storytellers, poets and song makers who bring the past to life. Discover the ground-breaking engineering, the people who made it happen, and the lasting impact of the railway.

History in Your Hands

Using your mobile device, open our augmented reality scenes to relive the past and discover a hidden message.

Step into history anytime, anywhere with our immersive AR dioramas! Whether you're at home, on the move, or exploring the trail, bring the story of the Stockton & Darlington Railway to life in your own space.

Explore AR scenes that bring the world of the Stockton & Darlington Railway to life. Reimagining scenes from Locomotion No. 1 and its journey across key areas from 200 years ago.

Build Your Digital Collection

Unlock and track exclusive rewards.

As you journey along the trail, you'll have the chance to curate your very own digital collection, piecing together the story of the world's first passenger railway!

Discover how sections of the original track functioned 200 years ago and see history unfold right before your eyes. Simply create an account and start exploring.

Start Your Adventure

Retrace the steps of the world's first passenger and goods train!

View Map

Along the Trail of Discovery

Explore different sections of the trail at your own pace, discovering scenic spots and hidden gems along the way.

Witton Park

Witton Park, a quiet village in County Durham, holds a formative place in the story of the Stockton and Darlington Railway.

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Phoenix Row

Phoenix Row, a modest hamlet in County Durham, occupies an important position in the history of the Stockton and Darlington Railway and the early infrastructure of steam-powered transport.

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Etherley Engine House

Etherley Ridge was one of the first major obstacle along the original route of the Stockton and Darlington Railway. The challenge was how to move coal-filled waggons up and over a steep incline more than 1,000 metres long.

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St Helens - Station House

The station master's house at West Auckland was built in 1871 at the junction between the original Stockton and Darlington Railway from 1825 and a branch line opened in 1856 that bypassed the steep Brusselton Incline.

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Gaunless Bridge

The Gaunless River gets its name from the Old Norse word for 'useless' translating to 'The Useless River'.

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The Farmer's Bridge

The Brusselton Accommodation Bridge is an important feature in the history of the Stockton and Darlington Railway. Built between 1832 and 1833, it was created to provide landowner Sir Christopher Musgrave with access across the railway line that divided his estate.

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The Brusselton Incline

The village of Brusselton grew around the summit of the Brusselton Incline, an important section of the Stockton and Darlington Railway when it opened in 1825.

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The Brusselton Incident

The steep inclines on the Stockton and Darlington Railway, including the Brusselton Incline, were essential to moving coal across the hilly terrain between Witton Park and Shildon.

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The Masons Arms

The Masons Arms Inn was a busy coaching inn where travellers rested before the Stockton and Darlington Railway tracks ran right past it.

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Soho Works

Soho Works is one of the most historically significant areas in Shildon, home to several key buildings that tell the story of early railway development.

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Locomotion Museum

At Locomotion you can see highlights of the national collection of railway vehicles in the world's first railway town.

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Locomotion Way

Locomotion Way is a historically significant stretch of railway, notable as a section where Locomotion No. 1 was able to reach its top speed of 12 to 15 miles per hour.

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Heighington Station

Heighington is a railway station on the Tees Valley Line, which runs between Bishop Auckland and Saltburn via Darlington. The station, situated 5 miles 62 chains (9.3 km) north-west of Darlington, serves the villages of Aycliffe and Heighington in County Durham, England.

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Hopetown Darlington Museum

Darlington changed the world as a pioneer of the modern railway. Hopetown Darlington will engage and inspire the innovators of the future by connecting them with our pioneering railway heritage.

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Skerne Bridge

Skerne bridge is the oldest railway bridge still in use today stands right here over the Skerne River in Darlington.

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Fighting Cocks Inn

The Fighting Cocks Inn, located near Middleton St. George, played an early and significant role in the development of the Stockton and Darlington Railway.

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Preston Park

Within the woodland at Preston Park lies a preserved section of the original Stockton & Darlington Railway track.

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Preston Park Museum

Preston Hall was built in 1825 by David Burton Fowler. The 1820 plan of Preston Park shows how it would have looked when Fowler bought it.

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St John's Crossing

In the early 19th century, Stockton was chosen as the terminus of the Stockton & Darlington Railway due to its access to the River Tees, making it a practical location for transferring coal to ships.

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Stockton Riverside

In 1826 the first Durham coal carried by the Stockton and Darlington Railway was loaded onto a ship at Stockton.

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Listen and Learn

Listen to our podcasts while on the go, perfect for while you're moving onto your next destination.

Browse Podcasts

History in Your Hands

Using your mobile device, open our augmented reality scenes to relive the past and discover a hidden message.

Explore Dioramas

Build Your Digital Collection

Unlock and track exclusive rewards.

Open Collection

Funded by National Lottery Heritage Fund

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