Now open to both members and the general public, Shildon Railway Institute is a place to celebrate life, family, community, ancestry and our proud unique industrial heritage right in the heart of Shildon.
Our organisation was a historic world first, set up to benefit railway employees but now working for the entire local community. We are a living legacy of the Stockton & Darlington Railway and of our first President, the famous Timothy Hackworth. Our building is located at 78 Redworth Road, Shildon, Co Durham.
Please note, adult supervised well behaved children (under 16) are welcome in the Lounge on Saturdays between noon and 6:00pm. They are also permitted, when accompanied by an adult, to attend privately booked events held in our main hall, or events arranged by the 'Stute' especially for that age group. Young people under 16 will not be served at the bar, though parents may purchase soft drinks and snacks for them
Our event page will tell you whether a public event has an age restriction.
We've got flexible spaces to meet most needs whether you are wanting to hold the best party ever for family or loved ones, or whether youlre looking for somewhere quiet for your group, club or society to meet and focus. Our ground floor Main Hall and Hackworth Lounge are wheelchair accessible - whilst our meeting space in the MacNay Room, with its Whitfield Library of rail and local history books is situated on our first floor.
Enjoyed your visit - now why not explore our remarkable story?
To conclude our celebration of 190 golden years serving our community, the current Chair has penned a new book, his second, which chronicles this Institute's story from the seed of a pioneering idea back in 1833 to celebrating this remarkable milestone in 2023
We are now officially run as a Community Benefit Society.
On 3 January 2024 Shildon Railway Institute completed its transformation and reconstitution to become a Community Benefit Society. Though this puts us in a stronger position as a community run enterprise, it changes little of the principles upon which we were founded and by which we are run.
As a building, she looks weary, but that's because she has a long story to tell.
Help shape an incredible future for Shildon Railway Institute.
It's a busy old world. Find out what's going on at the world's oldest Railway Institute.
2024 - Shildon Railway Institute Limited
A FCA Registered Community Benefit Society
Registration Number 9206
