I visited Hopetown Darlington and this is what I thought

It seemed like the sun had finally decided to shine for Hopetown Darlington after nearly a week of constant rain. 

I parked at the car park near Skerne Bridge, the world's oldest railway bridge still in constant use, before heading up the steps to the entrance at the refurbished 1883 Goods Shed. 

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There was a school trip from Corporation Road Community Primary School entering just before me, all of the children clearly very excited to be among the first into the site.

There is free entry to the museum and site but there is a small charge to go into the playground and Lego exhibition.

The Goods Shed has been completely transformed with a lovely café, coal-themed sculptures, holograms and an extensive gift shop.

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Old railway lanterns have been used to decorate the ceiling of the Goods Shed and set the tone of the experience from the off.

I was guided out to the Goods Yard which has been paved over with space for outside coffee drinking and an interactive railway path that takes you through the history of the railway.

The accompanying sound effects as you walk along the path delighted the children visiting.

As I walked up to the main section of the museum I could clearly hear the joyful shouts and screams of kids whizzing down the slides in the playground.

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The museum is spectacular, there are interactive exhibits as far as the eye can see. There is a train in the centre of the main room, costumes to dress up in, talking marble busts and educational holograms. 

I did a lap of the main room and saw first-hand how excited children were when figures began talking and when the bridges they were attempting to build out of building blocks fell apart.

It was easy to see how the attraction is going to become a regular visit for lots of families in Darlington. 

The next stop was the children's play area. In between groups of school children I did have an opportunity to look around the bespoke equipment and I even had a quick go on a slide.

Children from schools in Darlington have been consulted during the planning of the play area and there is a recognisable railway theme.

The remaining area of the site was the carriage works, dating back to 1853, which houses the Lego exhibition and the archive.

Work is just finishing to level off the ground between the museum and the carriage works that were slightly delayed due to the torrential rain last week.

When it is completed visitors will be able to walk straight from the museum to temporary exhibits which will change regularly throughout the year.

I was taken across to have a sneak peak at 'Brick Journeys' which is a Lego exhibition which has used nearly one million bricks. 

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There are huge Lego model trains and other creations which will delight children and adults alike. 

Classes and workshops will be run throughout the day to inspire kids to build their own transport-themed brick masterpieces.

As I was leaving the carriage works I had a brief look down the other end of the building which has been taken up with hundreds of transport artefacts which will fascinate railway enthusiasts.

 (Image: Northern Echo)

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There will be tours offered with the curator of the archive to get a full knowledge of what is contained in the trove.

I got a delicious coffee ice cream from the refreshments van before I left and I took the time to reflect on what an achievement Hopetown Darlington is.

The multi-million pound project has undeniably provided the town with an attraction that people will want to visit from all corners of the country.