Visitor Information

Explore Shildon

Shildon Town Centre

Shildon Town Centre boasts a range of independent shops, many of which have been serving the community for many years. From independent butchers, bakers and a historic, award winning cobbler's shop we have many local businesses to be proud of.

Hackworth Park

Hackworth park was opened on Saturday 28 September 1912. To celebrate the opening there was a procession which included horses, cyclists, the fire brigade, miners lodges and two brass bands. On 30 August 1913 the bandstand was opened. There are two drinking fountains in the park; the first was given by the committee of the old Shildon Working Men's Club and has an ornate canopy with a centre column and herons surrounding the drinking tube. The second is octagonal, it has 8 roundels between dragon's heads depicting a railway locomotive designed by Timothy Hackworth and is Grade II listed. The park was named after Timothy Hackworth, a railway pioneer who came from Shildon, there is a statue of him in the park, The Surtees Rail Trail passes through the park, it is now a footpath that follows the former Surtees Railway Branch Line, which was a private railway created by the Surtees family to link their collieries to the main line.

Host to many an event, including the recent Fun for all. Shildon Live and the weekly Park Play, the park is enjoyed by the community

Shildon Locomotion

The town of Shildon has had an exciting story to tell since the earliest days of the rail industry, making it the perfect place to explore the rich seam of local railway history and discover how the railways have changed all our lives.