How Darlington's High Row has changed over time in pictures

Now a busy shopping street at the heart of Darlington, it used to be one of the country’s main thoroughfares from North to South.

Until 1965 it was part of the Great North Road from London to Edinburgh, and has seen a host of traffic from cattle to trams and horse-drawn cars to trolley busses.

Now less traffic travels through High Row since a 2007 pedestrianisation, but the buildings on either side have remained the same for decades.

The indoor market lying off High Row has stood there since the 1850s with the clock tower, the town’s most iconic landmark, towering over the street.

We’ve taken a look back through The Northern Echo’s archives to take you on a journey along High Row through the years…

The clock tower has stood over High Row since the 1880s. (Image: ARCHIVE)

This undated black and white snap from the archives shows motorists battling snow and slush on High Row. (Image: ARCHIVE)

1955 - Traffic on the then-Great North Road makes its way along High Row as a trolley bus stops to pick up passengers. (Image: ARCHIVE)

1961 – a time when every shop seemed to have a canopy to protect customers and produce, and the closest thing to a traffic jam was two cars and a bus using the thoroughfare at the same time. (Image: ARCHIVE)

1966 - The retailers on the left of High Row in early 1966 were Smith’s cleaners, John Grisdale, Timothy White, JE Hodgson’s chemist, Singer sewing machines, Barratt’s shoes, Watson’s tobacconist, March the tailor and, on the corner with Post House Wynd, Collingwood’s jewellery shop. (Image: ARCHIVE)

1997 - An impressive view usually enjoyed mainly by pigeons and seagulls, from the top of the clock tower. (Image: ARCHIVE)

A quiet morning on High Row in 1997. (Image: MIKE URWIN)

1999 - High Row from the sky. (Image: MIKE URWIN)

2005 - High Row prior to pedestrianisation. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT)

Shoppers undeterred by the rain in 2006. (Image: CHRIS BOOTH)

Recommended reading:

• The changing face of Bishop Auckland's Newgate Street- in pictures
• How Durham's Silver Street has changed over time in pictures
• 8 of the North East's best nightclubs of years gone by 

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2008 - A Northern Echo photographer with a head for heights rides on a ferris wheel which stopped in the town. (Image: ANDY LAMB)

2008 - How many of these shops are still on High Row today? (Image: RICHARD DOUGHTY)