Open to everyone, Shildon Railway Institute — known locally as The Stute— is a place to meet, celebrate, remember and belong. At the heart of Shildon, we bring people together through family occasions, community events, local heritage, friendship and shared pride in our town’s unique railway and coalfield story.

Facilities include a relaxed, fully licensed Public Bar and Hackworth Lounge, a heritage Library and Community archive, and a versatile Main Hall used for everything from celebrations and performances to meetings, exhibitions and community activities.

Founded for the people, with the support of railway pioneer Timothy Hackworth and the influential Pease family, this Institute was a historic world first. We are proud to be a living legacy of the Stockton & Darlington Railway — but most importantly, today we are a place for people in the present.

Young people at The Stute.

Because The Stute is, among other things, a licensed premises, we have some specific rules about young people visiting.

• Children under 16 are welcome in the Lounge on Saturdays between 12 noon and 6:00pm, provided they are well behaved and accompanied by a responsible adult.
• Young people may also attend privately booked events in the Main Hall when accompanied by an adult.
• They are also very welcome at events or activities arranged by The Stute, or by our partner organisations, especially for their age group.
• Where an event or activity is organised specifically for young people, no bar service will be available.
• Staff do not serve anyone under 16 at the bar at any time. Parents or accompanying adults may, however, buy soft drinks and snacks for them.

Our event page will tell you whether a public event has an age restriction.