Head of Steam Museum in Darlington hosts Christmas party before refurb

The railway museum welcomed children and families for a day of fun activities and crafts as Mrs Claus welcomed little ones into the grotto today (Friday, December 23).

Unfortunately Father Christmas was very busy making preparations for tomorrow evening but Mrs Claus was on hand to pass on any important messages to him.

The big man had his helpers also lending a hand and one very helpful was reading The Christmas Elfie Contest to little ones.

Children enjoyed activities and crafts (Image: Sarah Caldecott, Newsquest)

Read more: Sadness as 'prominent church' in Darlington to close after 172 years of worship

The new Railway Heritage Quarter will be an authentic visitor attraction that reveals the story of the Stockton and Darlington Railway.

The ambitious project has received £20m financial backing from the Tees Valley Combined Authority.

Mike Crawshaw, head of culture and heritage at Darlington Borough Council said: “We’re closing temporarily and reopening on June 1 2024 to prepare for the bi-centenary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway in 2025.

“We’ve got some really exciting things planned including holograms to make the museum more interactive and to teach children about the history of the railway in a fun and engaging way.

“During the temporary closure of the museum, the ‘museum on the move’ and will be touring the area so we’ll be bringing history to the people before we reopen.”

There was even a giant Christmas tree (Image: Sarah Caldecott, Newsquest)

Read more: 'A big surprise': Darlington pub collects over 500 selection boxes for local causes

Willmott Dixon has been selected by Darlington Borough Council to deliver its £35m Railway Heritage Quarter.

The project will transform the Head of Steam railway museum site off North Road, which includes the Goods Shed and Carriage works, into a major new tourist attraction.

The venue has always been popular with local families but after the refurbishment, the team at Head of Steam hopes that this will attract up to 300,000 visitors per year from far and wide.

Children were in awe looking at the giant walking Christmas tree (Image: Sarah Caldecott, Newsquest)

A helpful elf reading to children (Image: Sarah Caldecott, Newsquest)

Read next:

• Darlington restaurant and school team up to spread Christmas joy to the struggling
• Biggins & panto cast spread Christmas cheer at children's ward at Darlington Hospital
• 'We want to keep people safe': What this Darlington venue is doing to reduce spiking

If you want to read more great stories, why not subscribe to your Northern Echo for as little as £1.25 a week. Click here.