Darlington is a market town situated 25 miles south of Newcastle Upon Tyne and 16 miles west of Middlesbrough. It was home to many Quaker families in the 19th century, who are responsible for much of the towns progess in the Georgian and Victorian era.

Darlington is famously known for being the birth town of modern railways. As a result, the Darlington Railway Centre and Museum is a key feature of the town.

Darlington's most famous landmark is the clock tower which was built in 1864 as a gift from the industrialist Joseph Pease. The clock tower still stands today and is often open for tours.

County Durham is a county located in the north of England and its coastline is on the North Sea. Its county town is Durham which is a historic city and is host to the beautiful Durham Castle. The county is perhaps most famously known for Durham Cathedral, otherwise known as The Cathedral Church of Christ, Blessed Mary the Virgin and St Cuthbert of Durham, first opened in 1018, as well as the collegiate Durham University that was first established in 1832.

The county's major population centres include Darlington, Hartlepool and Stockton-on-Tees. Surrounding counties are Tyne and Wear and Northumberland to the north, Cumbria to the west and North Yorkshire to the south.

The unitary authority for the majority of County Durham is Durham County Council, however Darlington, Hartlepool and Stockton-on-Tees have their own unitary authorities.

County Durham contains many national parks like the North Pennines, Hamsterley Forest and the High Force Waterfall. North Pennines is a section of the Pennines famous for mining and birdwatching.

The only motorway in the county is the A1(M) but there are many dual carriageways with the main ones being the A68 and the A688.