Europe
United Kingdom (UK)
England
County Durham
Stanhope
Things to Do in Stanhope
Weardale Railway
See all things to do

Weardale Railway

See all things to do
See all things to do
Weardale Railway
4
#1 of 5 things to do in Stanhope
Scenic Railroads
10:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Write a review
About
Duration: 1-2 hours
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Full view
What is Travelers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travelers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travelers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Top ways to experience nearby attractions

The area

Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
15 within 3 miles
Buon Appetito Wolsingham
378
0.3 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Pizza • Mediterranean
No 10 Cafe
220
0.4 mi$$ - $$$ • Cafe • British • Vegetarian Friendly
Peggotty's
86
0.4 mi$ • British • Vegetarian Friendly • Gluten Free Options
Craven's Fish Shop
24
0.5 mi$
Laus chinese takeaway
56
0.5 mi$$ - $$$ • Chinese • Fast Food
Bradleyburn Farm Shop
1
0.5 miQuick Bites • Cafe • British
The Bay Horse Hotel Restaurant and Pub
59
0.7 miBar • British • Pub
Golden Star Bishop Auckland
2
0.5 miChinese
The Bay Horse Hotel
37
0.7 mi$$ - $$$ • Bar • British • Pub
Dandy at the Bay Horse
17
0.7 mi$$ - $$$ • Bar • Pub • Vegetarian Friendly
See all
Attractions
4 within 6 miles
Hall Hill Farm
666
Rides & Activities • Farms
North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
111
Nature & Wildlife Areas
Inkerman Beehive Coke Ovens
7
Historic Sites
Ride Hamsterley By Bird Cycleworks
Biking Trails
See all

See what travelers are saying

  • sarah
    Durham, United Kingdom24 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Amazing.
    I write the review from the bottom of our hearts. Lived in the dale for years. Not once have we hopped on board the stanhope railway. Until we came together over a Christmas globe. Meeting the manager Wayne. All we can see it's as if we know him allmour lives. Understanding each individual person. Making each experience as special. From helping disabled person be seated. On and off. We have been on our second visit 30th December. Mince pie hot drink and ride through the dale on the train. A week ago we enjoyed the festive afternoon tea. Beautiful train. First class. Staff absolutely amazing. Relaxed atmosphere. A couple of hours with these people help recharge our batteries in the toughest times one is going through. I could go on and on. But only one word sums it up. AMAZING...... Get on board enjoy the rural views the company of some wonderful people. This world of today day needs many many more like these volunteers. See you all again in the spring. Sarah'honey & Dave.
    Visited December 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written December 30, 2023
  • Bernie H
    Stockton-on-Tees, United Kingdom8 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Sentinel driver experience
    Spent two hours on the Sentinel shunter learning how to drive it. The two instructors were great, nothing was too much trouble for them. Everything was explained in detail. It was the best birthday present I ever had. Thanks for sharing your knowledge
    Visited February 2024
    Traveled solo
    Written February 28, 2024
  • Phil M
    Southport, United Kingdom90 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Can't praise highly enough!
    Last time I visited here over twenty years ago it was a derelict old railway. They have done a fantastic restoration job. We had a wonderful day travelling between Stanhope and Wolsingham. Day Rover ticket covers you all day enabling three round trips with time for lunch at the lovely cafe at Stanhope Station.
    Visited June 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written June 12, 2024
  • worzel1956
    County Durham, United Kingdom18 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Afternoon tea train on the weardale railway
    We have just had a lovely afternoon on the weardale railway. The journey started at the beautiful Stanhope station which looked amazing with all the beautiful flowers. The carriage was a comfortable dining car and set up for our afternoon tea. Tea came in a beautifully presented box and can only say it was delicious. The staff were so friendly and really looked after us. We had a quiz on the journey back. The atmosphere was so friendly with everyone meeting new people and enjoying the event. Would definitely recommend.
    Visited July 2024
    Traveled as a couple
    Written July 27, 2024
  • Ken J
    Birmingham, United Kingdom1,368 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A pleasant trip in rural County Durham
    This nice preserved railway runs from Stanhope to Walsingham and sometimes to Bishop Auckland. We had a large party of 30 and so booked in advance for one return journey, Excellent cafe and shop at Stanhope and very friendly people on the stations and on the train. Check their website for timetable and afternoon tea trains which fill up very quickly
    Visited August 2024
    Traveled with friends
    Written August 23, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions
4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles562 reviews
Excellent
271
Very good
115
Average
46
Poor
40
Terrible
90
Ken J
Birmingham, UK1,368 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
A pleasant trip in rural County Durham
Aug 2024 • Friends
This nice preserved railway runs from Stanhope to Walsingham and sometimes to Bishop Auckland. We had a large party of 30 and so booked in advance for one return journey, Excellent cafe and shop at Stanhope and very friendly people on the stations and on the train. Check their website for timetable and afternoon tea trains which fill up very quickly
Written August 23, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
djpend
Preston, UK1,065 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
An afternnon well spent
Jul 2023 • Friends
The railway runs along the scenic Wear Valley from Wolsingham to Stanhope and return. We travelled in the unusual restored "Bubble Car" which is much more spacious and comforable than other DMUs. Stanhope station has a good cafe. The team of volunteers are friendly and helpful.
Written July 14, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Roger G
Glasgow, UK2,836 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Great Views, Smooth Ride and Friendly Staff at a Fair Price
Aug 2023 • Couples
Good directions and parking close to the station. Great cafe and shop. Senior tickets available. A bigger train was provided due to the popularity of the through trip to Bishop Auckland witj stops at all the stations. Very friendly and informative staff. We took food and drink as it is a long return journey. The journey was delightful with lots of wildlife and great scenery, especially the River Wear. A smooth ride and interesting to see the intermediate stations being used.
Written August 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
holidaymanWashington
Washington, UK4,656 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Good to be back.
Aug 2023 • Couples
It was a lovely way to spend the afternoon on Bank Holiday Monday and good to see the service running back to Bishop Auckland, even if only a couple of days per week. It's four years since we were last here, due to Covid restrictions and the fact that they were not running to Bishop Auckland because they were building a ramp to the exit from the platform. What an excellent job they have done. I was expecting it to be fairly busy and was disappointed on behalf of the railway to find that it wasn't.

The price was exactly the same as it was four years ago, so you cannot complain at that. It is important to use the railway, as it would be a travesty to see it disappear. Kids for a quid, what more could you ask for. We had a bite and a cuppa in the cafe first (see separate review,) before boarding the Pacer train. It was such a pleasant journey along the Wear valley and back. We saw rabbits, several game birds, a pair of herons and sheep and cows, as well as the river meandering from side to side along the valley floor. All the volunteers did an excellent job and we had a thoroughly enjoyable day.
Written August 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
worzel1956
County Durham, UK18 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Afternoon tea train on the weardale railway
Jul 2024 • Couples
We have just had a lovely afternoon on the weardale railway. The journey started at the beautiful Stanhope station which looked amazing with all the beautiful flowers. The carriage was a comfortable dining car and set up for our afternoon tea. Tea came in a beautifully presented box and can only say it was delicious. The staff were so friendly and really looked after us. We had a quiz on the journey back. The atmosphere was so friendly with everyone meeting new people and enjoying the event. Would definitely recommend.
Written July 27, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sarah
Durham, UK24 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Amazing.
Dec 2023 • Couples
I write the review from the bottom of our hearts. Lived in the dale for years. Not once have we hopped on board the stanhope railway. Until we came together over a Christmas globe. Meeting the manager Wayne. All we can see it's as if we know him allmour lives. Understanding each individual person. Making each experience as special. From helping disabled person be seated. On and off. We have been on our second visit 30th December. Mince pie hot drink and ride through the dale on the train. A week ago we enjoyed the festive afternoon tea. Beautiful train. First class. Staff absolutely amazing. Relaxed atmosphere. A couple of hours with these people help recharge our batteries in the toughest times one is going through.
I could go on and on. But only one word sums it up.
AMAZING...... Get on board enjoy the rural views the company of some wonderful people. This world of today day needs many many more like these volunteers.
See you all again in the spring.
Sarah'honey & Dave.
Written December 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mrs E
9 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
A cheerful outing with Good food
Jan 2020 • Friends
My friends and I visited 22 January We have been a few times before. We go back for the lovely vegan food, although we are not Vegan. I like my toast and tea cakes well toasted which they do. The prices are reasonable but the icing on the cake is the lady who serves us upstairs, she is friendly,very helpful and so obliging. We don’t live that near we go for the service and the good food. We had a Tai curry pasty which my husband really liked, he has tried several different ones now all delicious. I had a toasted tea cake and our 2 friend a full English breakfast. We will be returning to try more of the delicious food and to end the service. Excellent
Written January 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ashish
19 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Train is good for holiday purpose
Nov 2019 • Business
Well the experienced is great. My business purpose point of view is good for travelling in local place. Train is very neat n also the environment is also very good.Staff were excellent.
Written February 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Caroline Y
Glasgow, UK36 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
A Great Half Day Out
Jul 2023 • Family
Visited in July. As long-term railway enthusiasts, we had a lovely visit. The journey isn't long, but is beautifully scenic. There's a café at Stanhope, with very friendly staff and a good range of light bites ideal for lunch. There's also home made shortbread, which we would all recommend.
Written July 10, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
maz22012
29 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Hardworking friendly volunteers make this a perfect place to visit.
Aug 2023 • Family
We live close by and we love coming here.the staff are very friendly the cafe is perfect for a little snack. They put activitys on for children on the story train. It's just so lovely to see the place so busy. Well done to everyone that helps to keep this a lovely place to visit.
Written August 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
2
…
Showing results 1-10 of 559
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing

Weardale Railway - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

All things to do in Stanhope
RestaurantsFlightsVacation RentalsTravel StoriesCruisesRental Cars