County Durham and Darlington lies at the heart of a region whose history has helped shape the British nation. It is a region of great natural beauty, historic battlefields, castles and cathedrals.
Darlington and Bishop Auckland are historic market towns and Durham's Norman Cathedral, included on the World Heritage list, provides a magnificent backdrop for a city of winding streets, picturesque walks and stunning views.
County Durham can offer the following excellent facilities:
The choice of housing is varied - something to suit every pocket and taste - all within easy distance of the hospitals. Ranging from small link homes to executive housing there is an abundance of locations to choose from including many pleasant rural villages.
There is a high standard of educational facilities, a comprehensive range of nursery, infant, junior and secondary schools. There are also independent schools in Bishop Auckland, Darlington and Durham and the surrounding towns. Many establishments boast a high level of attainment and attract pupils from a wide area.
Further education is well provided for at it colleges in Darlington, Durham, and Middlesbrough, Newcastle and Sunderland and there are highly regarded Universities at Durham, Sunderland and Newcastle.
The busy indoor and outdoor markets and the excellent selection of stores and specialist shops in the town centres at Darlington, Durham and Middlesbrough provide the focus for shopping in the area.
Two of the largest shopping centres in Europe are to be found within each reach. The Metro Centre at Gateshead is a complete shopping and entertainment complex with over 300 retail outlets, multi screen cinema, fairground and antiques village. Eldon Square in Newcastle boasts the largest John Lewis and Marks and Spencer outlets outside London and has an excellent selection of retail stores.
The North East is passionate about good sport.
There is plenty of provision for soccer, rugby, swimming, golf, climbing, walking, canoeing, and angling and many other sports at the five multi-purpose district sports centres.
County Durham and Darlington offers a wide range of cultural and social activities. There are theatres based in Bishop Auckland, Darlington and Durham which provide a variety of impressive performances throughout the year.
A number of multi screen cinemas can be accessed throughout the area and thus also an excellent range of restaurants and cafes.
The area of County Durham and Darlington is bisected by the A1M giving good access to Newcastle and Durham & Tees Valley Airports both of which host a range of standard carriers and low cost airlines.
Darlington and Durham have main line east coast stations with direct access to London in approximately 2 hours 30 minutes.
Not only is County Durham and Darlington an interesting place, but it is an ideal base from which to explore and enjoy the regions many tourist attractions.
Darlington provides easy access to the North Yorkshire Moors and the Yorkshire Dales, both offering some truly remarkable scenery and unspoilt countryside and yet is only 21/2 hours from London and Edinburgh. Hamsterley Forest and High Force are also within easy travelling distance as is the Northumbria National Park. The scenic coastline is dotted with many picturesque fishing villages as well as larger resorts. Darlington is only six miles away from an International Airport, which has a flying club and the opportunity to learn to fly. It is only 25 miles to the North Sea where boating enthusiasts will find a recently refurbished Marina at Hartlepool.
The Beamish Open Air Museum a few miles out of Durham shows Victorian buildings and artefacts, which have been painstakingly moved and rebuilt providing a trip through time.
Bowes Museum near Barnard Castle, a magnificent building, houses the largest selection of Fine Decorative Arts in Britain, as well as some of the best examples of old masterpieces outside the National Gallery. Nearby, Raby Castle dating from the 14th Century is famed for its interior and setting.
