Preston Park Museum is opening a new multi-million pound exhibition space in 2025 with a series of railway-themed exhibitions called 'Tracks of Change', part of the S&DR200 festival celebrating the bicentenary of the Stockton and Darlington Railway. Highlights include 'Corridors', a suspended floral installation by internationally acclaimed artist Rebecca Louise Law; 'All Aboard', an interactive playscape for children; 'Gateway to the World', a collection of nationally significant paintings; and 'Perfume', a light-and-sound installation by visual artist Yann Nguema. All exhibitions will be free with museum admission.
The new space and programming mark a major investment in regional cultural infrastructure, linking local heritage with contemporary art to engage diverse audiences. By centering the railway bicentenary, the museum leverages a historic milestone to drive tourism, community participation, and educational outreach, while showcasing both international artists and locally sourced materials—such as flowers grown in the museum's own Walled Garden. This positions Preston Park Museum as a revitalized hub for art and history in the Tees Valley.