The Pastures
Close to Darlington’s beautiful South Park, and just a pleasant 20-minute stroll along the River Skerne from the bustling centre of the town, The Pastures is an attractive, tree-lined development in a convenient location. Within close proximity of the A1(M), so exploring County Durham and beyond is straightforward.
Sport and leisure
The Blackwell Grange Hotel, around three-quarters of a mile from The Pastures, incorporates a leisure club with a heated swimming pool, a gym and saunas. There are also two 18-hole parkland golf courses within a mile of the development, one at Blackwell Grange and the other at Stressholme. In the town centre, the newly refurbished Dolphin Centre is a major leisure facility, with a 25-metre swimming pool, a toddler pool, a diving pool, waterslides, a Pulse fitness suite, sports hall, badminton and tennis courts, climbing walls and a soft play area. There is also a Bannatyne’s Health Club in the town, with a swimming pool, sauna and steam room, an air-conditioned gym and an aerobics studio.
Blackwell Grange Leisure Club
Grange Road
01325 509 901
Blackwell Grange Golf Club
Briar Close
01325 464 464
Stressholme Golf Centre
Snipe Lane
01325 461 002
The Dolphin Centre
Horsemarket
01325 388 406
Bannatyne’s Health Club
Haughton Road
01325 478 488
Shopping
Darlington has a compact town centre with a choice of over 400 shops, ranging from contemporary fashions to traditional specialist retailers. There is ample parking, and four indoor shopping areas, including the Victorian Market Hall, in the heart of the town. Darlington also has a monthly farmers’ market and a twice weekly outdoor market with over 150 stalls. Acknowledged as one of the best in the north of England, it is held on Mondays and Saturdays.
Transport
In keeping with its railway traditions, Darlington has excellent rail links. The town is on the main Intercity line from Edinburgh to London, and there are also cross-country services from the Midlands and the West Country. Stockton and Middlesbrough are in easy reach via the A66, and the A1(M) is a little over a mile from The Pastures, giving easy access to Tyneside. Durham Tees Valley Airport is around five miles away.
Outdoor activities
The Pastures is just a few minutes’ walk from the newly restored Victorian splendour of South Park, 91 acres of trees and gardens with a lake, a café and a bandstand. One of Darlington’s most popular open spaces, South Park is the scene of a lively series of special events and concerts throughout the summer. The town is surrounded by fascinating countryside that can be explored on foot, including the Tees Valley and, for more adventurous walkers, the Yorkshire and Durham Moors and Dales.
Education
Schools within easy reach of The Pastures include the following;
Skerne Park Primary School
Ribble Drive
01325 380 831
St Augustine’s RC Primary School
Beechwood Avenue
01325 380 819
Hummersknott Community School
and Language College
Edinburgh Drive
01325 241 191
Hurworth Community School
Croft Road
01325 720 424
Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College
Vane Terrace
01325 461 315
Health care
Blacketts Medical Practice
63-65 Bondgate
01325 380 640
Byrne and Partners
The Surgery, Neasham Road
01325 461 128
A Milne and G D Matthews (Dentists)
Southend Avenue
01325 386 367
Entertainment and culture
Darlington has a vibrant nightlife, largely based around its wide variety of pubs, clubs and wine bars. There are two fine old theatres in the town, the Darlington Arts Centre and the Civic Theatre, presenting a varied programme of live drama, comedy, music and talks. The town also has a new music venue at The Forum, opened in 2004. which presents local and touring bands as well as club and comedy nights. The area’s fascinating history from Roman times is explored in a number of museums and heritage trails, including the superb Darlington Railway Centre and Museum, with its recreation of the age of steam.
Darlington Civic Theatre
Parkgate
01325 486 555
Darlington Arts Centre
Vane Terrace
01325 348 843
The Forum Music Centre
Borough Road
01325 363 135
Darlington Railway Centre and Museum
North Road Station
01325 460 532