Creating Adventurous Places (CAP.Co), the adventure play specialist, has created a new adventure play park called Wagon Woods for Hopetown Darlington. This 7.5-acre visitor attraction tells the story of the birth of the modern railway, which began in 1825 when Locomotive No. 1 became the first steam locomotive to pull a train carrying passengers on the Stockton and Darlington Railway, a public railway.
“The story of that first passenger journey offered us the unique opportunity to build the play around that world-changing event,” says CAP.Co.
Bringing the story to life
The team found the remarkable Brusselton incline story while exploring the site’s history. According to the historical site, the Stockton & Darlington Railway had to haul coal over two significant hills between the two locations.
Two static steam-powered rope-hauled inclines over the hills were their solution. The problem with this system was that the wagons would race down the hill and smash everything in their path if the rope broke. So, they hired some young men to be based at the bottom of the hill. If a train broke free and ran down the hill at high speed, their job was to throw tree trunks in its path to derail it before it did any damage.
This story inspired the final design, and many more small details, such as the historic chimney and signalling bell, are incorporated, too. Visitors can access the lengthy tubular slide only from this height. This simple method ensures that only the bravest can ride the enormous slide.
From this higher point, the high-level boardwalk winds around the trees, offering views of the hill and derailed wagons below.
Accessible play
The team wanted to embed the play into the environment, making it feel central to the whole offer and as though it had always been there.
Accessibility is always central to CAP.Co’s thinking and the team consistently revisit its designs throughout the process to ensure it creates play that is as accessible to all as possible.
One accessible feature of Wagon Woods resembles two upturned barrels. “What this is in reality is an accessible and cleverly disguised talking tube system,” explains the firm. “Climb inside the barrel, and you can talk magically to your friend in the other one. We have loved seeing this in action, as when the kids work out what it is and how it works, they want to play in it all of the time.
“We have always believed that play is better when everyone can play together, whatever their abilities.”
Hometown Darlington opened in July 2024 and has already proved popular with visitors. The aim is to use this project to help regenerate the town and the surrounding areas.
CAP.Co also recently shared details of a project at Parc Sainte Croix, a 120-hectare nature reserve in Moselle, France. Here, it developed a new play area which inspires curiosity and discovery. Neo’s Homestead, or ‘Le Monde de Néo’, launched in 2024 and is part of the park’s ‘Le Voyage de Néo’ world.
