From its early fame as the terminus of the Stockton to Darlington Railway, the world's first passenger rail line, to its Victorian heyday as an important centre of railway manufacturing and bridge building, the County Durham town of Darlington has a proud and distinctive identity. This extraordinary history is embodied in the many fine buildings that have shaped this historic market town. Darlington in 50 Buildings examines the history of the town through a selection of its greatest architectural treasures. From the twelfth-century Grade I-listed St Cuthbert's Church to the grand Victorian Market Hall, this unique study celebrates the town's architectural heritage in a new and accessible way. Local author and historian Chris Lloyd guides the reader on a tour of the town's most important historic and modern buildings.

Chris Lloyd is Chief Feature Writer of The Northern Echo, where he produces a weekly 12-page local history supplement. He has written seven self-published local history books, mostly about Darlington. His local history talks are very popular and he has a weekly 10-minute local history spot on the local BBC radio station. He has also broadcast on Radio 4's Open Country and on TV in Michael Portillo's Great British Railway Journeys. He is a former North-East Journalist of the Year.