# The Dolphin Centre, Darlington — Opening Hours, Reviews & Visitor Info > This lively aquatic venue in Darlington's Horse Market delivers splashing fun for all ages with diving boards, inflatable features and water slides, plus accessible facilities and convenient parking close by. Source: https://staycation.co.uk/darlington/attractions/the-dolphin-centre (Staycation.co.uk). Cite the source page, not this text version. Swimming & Leisure Centres # The Dolphin Centre Horse Market [View on Google Maps](https://maps.google.com/?cid=2693088832219519032&g_mp=Cidnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLlNlYXJjaFRleHQQAhgEIAA) Photo: [Charlie Soda](https://maps.google.com/maps/contrib/100086961479099874510) **In short:** The Dolphin Centre is an attraction in Darlington, rated 4.3 out of 5 from 1,257 Google reviews. Details checked 1 September 2026 · source: Google Places ## About The Dolphin Centre This lively aquatic venue in Darlington's Horse Market delivers splashing fun for all ages with diving boards, inflatable features and water slides, plus accessible facilities and convenient parking close by. ## What's nearby - O’Carrolls Irish Tavern next door - DL1 Leisure next door - St Cuthbert's Church next door - Vue Cinema Darlington 150m away Distances as the crow flies, via Google ## Good to know ### Parking - ✓Paid car park ### Accessibility - ✓Accessible parking - ✓Accessible entrance Details via Google — worth confirming with the attraction before you travel, especially for access needs. ## Photos Photos via Google ## Opening hours **Monday** 6:30 AM – 9:00 PM **Tuesday** 6:30 AM – 9:00 PM **Wednesday** 6:30 AM – 9:00 PM **Thursday** 6:30 AM – 9:00 PM **Friday** 6:30 AM – 10:00 PM **Saturday** 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM **Sunday** 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM Current hours may differ from the usual schedule above (e.g. holidays) — check Google Maps for today's hours. ## What visitors say [Kelly](https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/106867455006377268909/reviews) ★★★★★ Took my 9 month old baby to softplay, was in the baby section with the piano and sensory lights, when my baby reached out for a rock hard chip, covered in hairs like it had been there days.. i picked it up and took it to a member of staff and informed them, to be told it gets cleaned every night, i explained it clearly wasnt as you could tell the chip had been there for days with how rock hard it was, she then went on to say it gets cleaned every day! So i took it upon myself to take photos of the absolute mess which shows it clearly hasnt been cleaned in a very long time... ill let people decide for themselves . Left straight away quite appauled with the state, there was crumbs all over the sensory lights too 🤮 · via Google [Saif Rahman](https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/103224899806837453404/reviews) ★★★★★ A very grand elegant Hall, perfect for any occasion. Went to a family wedding which was beautiful. The kitchen is also huge and well prepared, parking in the nearby carparks and town centre is available. The staff and management are very helpful and made it a smooth day. · via Google [Mandy Plant](https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/103840807285033040006/reviews) ★★★★★ We attended our granddaughters 3rd birthday party on the 16th of may at the softplay area, It was brilliant the food the staff were great and very efficient to say she didn't have a great time would be a lie ,the staff should be very proud of themselfs they more than made it a great day ,thankyou · via Google [Samantha Anderson](https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/109123813671398521941/reviews) ★★★★★ Many thanks to Rebecca who went above and beyond when I experienced some technical difficulties in setting up my new membership online. I found her to be very friendly, professional, and knowledgeable. She is a great asset to the leisure centre 😊 · via Google [See all reviews on Google →](https://www.google.com/maps/place//data=!4m4!3m3!1s0x487e66865eb2b5f3:0x255fc60639041838!9m1!1b1?g_mp=Cidnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLlNlYXJjaFRleHQQAhgEIAA) Visitors say this leisure center offers excellent swimming facilities, including slides, diving boards, and a kids' pool, along with a well-equipped gym and soft play area. They also highlight the friendly, professional staff and the good value for families. Some reviews mention the facilities can be poorly maintained. Summary via Google ## At a glance **Address** Horse Market, Darlington, DL1 5RP [Get directions](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=54.5240780%2C-1.5541584) **Category** Swimming & Leisure Centres **Guest rating** 4.3 / 5 (1,257 reviews) **Suitable for** All Ages **Setting** Indoor **Destination** Darlington [More attractions in Darlington](https://staycation.co.uk/darlington/attractions) ★ 4.3 (1,257 reviews) [Visit official website](https://www.darlington.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/healthy-darlington/dolphin-centre/?utm_source=staycation.co.uk&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=attraction) [01325 388406](tel:01325388406) (please mention staycation.co.uk when calling) ### Quick Facts **Destination** Darlington **Postcode** DL1 5RP **Plus Code** 9C6WGCFW+J8 [Directions ↗](https://www.google.com/maps/dir//''/data=!4m7!4m6!1m1!4e2!1m2!1m1!1s0x487e66865eb2b5f3:0x255fc60639041838!3e0?g_mp=Cidnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLlNlYXJjaFRleHQQAhgEIAA) [More photos on Google ↗](https://www.google.com/maps/place//data=!4m3!3m2!1s0x487e66865eb2b5f3:0x255fc60639041838!10e5?g_mp=Cidnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLlNlYXJjaFRleHQQAhgEIAA) [Write a review ↗](https://www.google.com/maps/place//data=!4m3!3m2!1s0x487e66865eb2b5f3:0x255fc60639041838!12e1?g_mp=Cidnb29nbGUubWFwcy5wbGFjZXMudjEuUGxhY2VzLlNlYXJjaFRleHQQAhgEIAA) ### 🏨 Places to stay near Darlington Hotels, B&Bs and self-catering on Booking.com, with live prices. [Check availability →](https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-101762279-15734754?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.booking.com%2Fsearchresults.en-gb.html%3Fss%3DDarlington%252C%2BUnited%2BKingdom) Affiliate link [Hotels →](https://staycation.co.uk/darlington/hotels) [Camping →](https://staycation.co.uk/darlington/camping) ## Quick answers ### What are the opening hours of The Dolphin Centre? The Dolphin Centre is open Mon–Thu 6:30am–9pm; Fri 6:30am–10pm; Sat 8am–10pm; Sun 8am–7pm (from its Google listing; hours can change on bank holidays, so check before you go). ### Is The Dolphin Centre any good? The Dolphin Centre is rated 4.3 out of 5 from 1,257 Google reviews. ### Is The Dolphin Centre indoors or outdoors? The Dolphin Centre is indoors, so it works on a rainy day. ### What ages is The Dolphin Centre suitable for? The Dolphin Centre suits all ages. ### Is The Dolphin Centre wheelchair accessible? The Dolphin Centre has a wheelchair-accessible entrance. ### Is there parking at The Dolphin Centre? Yes: paid car park. ### How do I contact The Dolphin Centre? Call The Dolphin Centre on +44 1325 406000. ## More near The Dolphin Centre ### Hotels & B&Bs nearby - [Houndgate Townhouse ★ 4.6 · next door](https://staycation.co.uk/darlington/hotels/houndgate-townhouse) - [Premier Inn Darlington Town Centre ★ 4.5 · next door](https://staycation.co.uk/darlington/hotels/premier-inn-darlington-town-centre) - [Mercure Darlington Kings Hotel ★ 3.8 · 0.1 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/darlington/hotels/mercure-darlington-kings-hotel) - [Dalesman Hotel ★ 4.6 · 0.2 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/darlington/hotels/dalesman-hotel) ### Holiday cottages nearby - [Mead House ★ 5.0 · 0.8 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/darlington/cottages/mead-house-syk920812) - [1 The Potteries 2.5 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/darlington/cottages/1-the-potteries-syk942971) - [Poppy Cottage 2.9 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/darlington/cottages/poppy-cottage-uk46808) - [Grace's Retreat 3.1 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/darlington/cottages/graces-retreat-syk971751) ### Campsites nearby - [Heron Residential Park ★ 5.0 · 1.2 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/durham/camping/heron-residential-park) - [The Beeches Certificated Site ★ 4.7 · 2.7 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/durham/camping/the-beeches-certificated-site) - [Newbus Grange Country Park ★ 4.8 · 3.4 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/durham/camping/newbus-grange-country-park) - [The Hammer and Pincers Caravan and Camping Site ★ 4.6 · 5.9 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/newton-aycliffe/camping/the-hammer-and-pincers-caravan-and-camping-site) ### Things to do nearby - [Vue Darlington ★ 4.4 · next door](https://staycation.co.uk/darlington/attractions/vue-darlington) - [Create and Paint ★ 4.9 · 0.2 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/darlington/attractions/create-and-paint) - [The Hullabaloo ★ 4.7 · 0.2 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/darlington/attractions/the-hullabaloo) - [Hopetown Darlington ★ 4.6 · 0.8 mi](https://staycation.co.uk/darlington/attractions/hopetown-darlington)