The Summer Family Fun Day took place on Saturday (July 25), with visitors queuing throughout the day to meet Britain’s best-loved bear on the Goods Yard Platform.
Paddington Bear at Hopetown, Darlington (Image: ANDY FUTERS)
Paddington appeared at intervals from morning until late afternoon, with organisers operating a queuing system because of the high demand.
During two of the sessions, he greeted the crowd from the platform so everyone could catch a glimpse.
Paddington Bear at Hopetown, Darlington (Image: ANDY FUTERS)
Families also settled onto beanbags and blankets on Foundry Green for open-air screenings of Paddington 2.
The film has a special connection to Darlington because it stars Tornado, the famous Peppercorn A1 steam locomotive built in Darlington. Tornado was also on display at Darlington Locomotive Works, giving visitors the chance to see the engineering behind the real-life railway star up close.
Here are some pictures from the event:
Paddington Bear at Hopetown, Darlington (Image: ANDY FUTERS)
Paddington Bear at Hopetown, Darlington (Image: ANDY FUTERS)
Paddington Bear at Hopetown, Darlington (Image: ANDY FUTERS)
Paddington Bear at Hopetown, Darlington (Image: ANDY FUTERS)
Paddington Bear at Hopetown, Darlington (Image: ANDY FUTERS)
Paddington Bear at Hopetown, Darlington (Image: ANDY FUTERS)
Paddington Bear at Hopetown, Darlington (Image: ANDY FUTERS)
Paddington Bear at Hopetown, Darlington (Image: ANDY FUTERS)
Paddington Bear at Hopetown, Darlington (Image: ANDY FUTERS)
Paddington Bear at Hopetown, Darlington (Image: ANDY FUTERS)
Paddington Bear at Hopetown, Darlington (Image: ANDY FUTERS)
Paddington Bear at Hopetown, Darlington (Image: ANDY FUTERS)
Paddington Bear at Hopetown, Darlington (Image: ANDY FUTERS)
Paddington Bear at Hopetown, Darlington (Image: ANDY FUTERS)
Paddington Bear at Hopetown, Darlington (Image: ANDY FUTERS)
Paddington Bear at Hopetown, Darlington (Image: ANDY FUTERS)
Paddington Bear at Hopetown, Darlington (Image: ANDY FUTERS)
Paddington Bear at Hopetown, Darlington (Image: ANDY FUTERS)
Paddington Bear at Hopetown, Darlington (Image: ANDY FUTERS)
Paddington Bear at Hopetown, Darlington (Image: ANDY FUTERS)
Paddington Bear at Hopetown, Darlington (Image: ANDY FUTERS)
Paddington Bear at Hopetown, Darlington (Image: ANDY FUTERS)
Paddington Bear at Hopetown, Darlington (Image: ANDY FUTERS)
Younger visitors joined a creative workshop run by the S&DR 26 Mile Community Team, designing and decorating summer-themed postcards to take home.
The site was filled with picnic blankets as families made the most of the school holiday atmosphere. Cream teas, café refreshments, and children’s “Loco Lunches” were available across the day.
Despite changeable weather, the family fun day went ahead as planned, bringing crowds to Hopetown Darlington for one of the biggest school holiday events in the town.