Terms and Conditions

This information is correct as of 2 January 2026. We reserve the right to make any changes which circumstances may necessitate. 

For the protection and comfort of all customers...

Darlington Hippodrome reserves the right to refuse admission or eject patrons in reasonable circumstances such as in the event of rowdy, anti-social or threatening behaviour.

Tickets

All patrons must have a valid ticket for any event where a ticket is required for entry.

Tickets are scanned at the main doors to the venue; it is the lead booker's responsibility to ensure all members of their party are in possession of their own ticket if they are arriving at the venue separately.  

Tickets cannot be refunded after purchase.

We recommend taking out booking protection (through Secure My Booking at a small fee per ticket) which will cover you for many eventualities should you not be able to attend a performance. Secure My Booking should be taken out at the time of your booking as it can not be added retrospectively. The Terms and Conditions for Secure My Booking can be found by clicking here.

Up to 48 hours before a performance commences tickets may, at Darlington Hippodrome's discretion, be exchanged for another performance. If there is a difference in cost between the original ticket and the new ticket, this difference in cost will be payable by the customer. This is subject to an administration fee of £4 per ticket. 

If you are unable to attend a performance that is heavily sold, it may be possible for the Hippodrome box office to re-sell your tickets to our waiting list, subject to an administration fee of £4 per ticket.  

Any purchase of tickets is only valid when processed by the Hippodrome's box office or an agent authorised by the Hippodrome to sell tickets for productions taking place at the Hippodrome. We are not responsible for any tickets sold through unauthorised methods.

Whilst the Hippodrome has been fortunate in securing substantial support from Trusts and Foundations, corporate organisations and private individuals, including a grant of £5m from The Heritage Lottery Fund, the residual gap in the cost of restoring and operating the theatre needs to be met through the restoration levy and booking fee. To minimise the impact on customers the levy and booking fee are built into the ticket prices to ensure customers are immediately aware of the actual cost of their tickets. We do not charge the levy on shows specifically made for children.

If you would like your tickets posted out to you, there will be a £2.50 fee per transaction for this service.

Unless tickets are being posted out, customers must collect tickets from our box office. This can be done at any time before the performance.

Please check your tickets as soon as you receive them and notify us immediately if they are incorrect.

Tickets may be restricted to a maximum number per person. We reserve the right to cancel tickets purchased in excess of this number without prior notice to the customer.

Cancelled Performances: in the event that a scheduled performance cannot take place, customers will be offered to transfer their tickets to a rescheduled performance where possible or offered a credit note or full refund.

Single seat policy: in the interest of the theatre and visiting production companies, our aim is to ensure performances are as fully attended as possible. It is our policy, wherever possible, not to leave single seats available when customers book either in person or online.

The maximum number of tickets that can be booked online is 10. To make a booking for a group of 10+, please contact the box office. 
 

Ticket offers

It is the customer's responsibility to claim any discounts they may be entitled to at the time of booking, as they cannot be applied retrospectively.

From time to time promotional discounts may be offered. These cannot be applied to tickets already purchased and no discount will be applied retrospectively.

Offers and discounts are subject to availability.

Only one discount is applicable per ticket unless otherwise stated.

Access Scheme

Theatregoers can join our access scheme and book online direct via our website for:

• Wheelchair spaces.
• Free Essential Companion tickets*.
• Priority access seating in front stalls for people who are visually impaired, D/deaf or hard of hearing.
• Priority aisle seating
• Discounts for people in receipt of Universal/Pension Credit*.
• Universal Credit claimants can save 50%* per household on up to four tickets per production. Also applicable on Youth Theatre/Youth Dance term prices.
• Pension Credit claimants can save 50%* on one ticket per production. Also applicable on Youth Theatre/Youth Dance term prices.

*Not applicable on Meet and Greet/VIP tickets. Universal Credit and Pension Credit discounts are not applicable to Lucky Hipp seats. 

Essential companion tickets

People who require an essential companion to accompany them to the theatre in order for them to access the venue, due to their disability, illness or other condition will receive a FREE essential companion ticket. Qualifying documentation is required if signing up to our Access Scheme.  

Qualifying documentation

• A letter confirming receipt of Disability Living Allowance (DLA) - if theatregoer is aged under 16.
• A letter confirming receipt of Attendance Allowance
• A letter confirming receipt of Personal Independence Payments (PIP)
• CredAbility Access Card (with +1 symbol)

All essential companions must be aged 16 or over. Only one essential companion ticket is available per disabled customer.

If a customer does not have access to any of the required evidence above but feels that they require an essential companion ticket to be able to attend the theatre, they can approach our box office manager to discuss their individual needs.

Cancellations and changes to events

We reserve the right to make alterations to the advertised cast and programme without being obliged to refund or exchange tickets.

If an event is cancelled or rescheduled, we will notify ticket holders of the cancellation once we have received the relevant authorisation from the event partner. We will do our best to inform ticket holders of such cancellations before the date of the event, however we cannot guarantee this.

In the event of rescheduling we will try to provide alternative seats of the same or greater value.

In the event of any cancellation or rescheduling of an event the venue shall have no further liability beyond the face value of the ticket purchased.

Children and babies

All children require a ticket, whether this is free of charge or purchased at a value. This applies to all performances including performances where free baby tickets and concessionary children’s tickets are not available. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult.

For productions made exclusively for children, we offer a free babe-in-arms ticket for babies aged six months or under. Please select the 'Adult + Babe' ticket type when booking online, or you can book over the telephone or at the box office counter. For productions made exclusively for children, concessionary tickets may also be available to purchase for babies and children aged six months and over.

For all other productions, babies may be admitted at the discretion of the House Manager. Please contact the box office to discuss.  

For the protection of children, on selected performances and at our discretion, children and infants may not be permitted to attend. Performances where an age restriction applies are clearly indicated during the booking process. Please ensure that you read all the information that applies to the ticket you are booking, and carry proof of age if appropriate.

Latecomers to performances

We will do our best to admit latecomers at an appropriate point in the performance, however we cannot guarantee admittance in the case of late arrival.

Food and drink

Only food and drink purchased within the venue can be consumed on the premises.

Within the auditorium, only drinks (in reusable plastic cups) and confectionery/snacks purchased on site are permitted. Hot food is not permitted in the auditorium.

Other general terms and conditions

Use of photographic, video, sound recording or mobile communications equipment during performances is usually forbidden although it is sometimes allowed when specifically requested by the visiting company. Please check with front of house staff prior to using any such equipment during performances and they will advise whether this is permitted.   

The management reserves the right to refuse admission to or eject a ticket holder if they are disturbing a performance, or for the safety of other patrons.

Customers are not permitted to smoke within our premises; this includes any form of electronic cigarette or other artificial smoking devices.

Tickets are scanned at the main doors. We carry out bag checks on entry to the venue to ensure the safety of the patrons.

Privacy policy (web)

Visitors to the Darlington Hippodrome website are covered by Darlington Borough Council’s privacy policy. Details can be found at www.darlington.gov.uk.

Privacy notice (data protection)

Please visit Darlington Borough Council's website to view the Hippodrome's privacy notice.     

European Commission Alternative Dispute Resolution

The European Commission has an online dispute resolution platform at ec.europa.eu.