Open to the general public, Shildon Railway Institute is a place to celebrate life, family, community, ancestry and our proud unique rail and coal industry heritage here in the heart of Shildon.
Our relaxed and fully licensed Public Bar, Hackworth Lounge and Main Hall are here for you.
Our organisation was a historic world first, founded by our first president the rail pioneer Timothy Hackworth and patronised by the influential Pease family. We are a living legacy of the Stockton & Darlington Railway.
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.
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 operate as a Community Benefit Society.
On 3 January 2024 Shildon Railway Institute completed its transformation and reconstitution to become a Community Benefit Society run by its members.
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
