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You are here > Home > Things to Do > The Weardale Railway - The Auckland Project

The Weardale Railway - The Auckland Project

From £0.00
Stanhope Station
Station Road
Stanhope
County Durham
DL13 2YS

Tel: +44 01388 526203

Email

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Add The Weardale Railway - The Auckland Project to your Itinerary

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A train at The Weardale Railway
  • A train at The Weardale Railway
  • Etherley Viaduct with Bubble Car crossing on Weardale Railway
  • view of heritage train on Weardale Railway line
  • Train pulling into station on Weardale Railway
  • View of heritage vehicle on Weardale Railway.

About

Take a ride on the Weardale Railway heritage passenger service to enjoy stunning views of Weardale, a National Landscape, and explore the historic market towns of Wolsingham and Stanhope.

The Weardale Railway is an 18 mile heritage line running from a connection with the main rail network at Bishop Auckland to Eastgate in Weardale, County Durham. The railway is part of the Stockton to Darlington line, (famous for having the first passenger rail service in the world) which will celebrate its 200th anniversary in 2025.

After extensive works the Railway reopened in April 2023 between Stanhope and Bishop Auckland using heritage 1960s diesel multiple units and a pacer train.

Tickets are available on the day from Stanhope Station and on the train.

Our Santa Specials train service is hugely popular with trains operating throughout November and December until Christmas Eve. We advise early booking to avoid disappointment. To secure your festive experience and other special offers book tickets online.

Visit the Weardale Railway Trust website for up to date event details, including the popular Photography trains, the full timetable and fares.

Book Tickets

Special Offers

  • 10% Discount

    Customers who purchase a ticket from or to any Weardale Railway station will receive a 10% discount on The Auckland Project annual pass, which they can use at any of The Auckland Project attractions in Bishop Auckland, including Auckland Castle and Gardens, the Spanish Gallery and the Mining Art Gallery.  Please retain and show your ticket when purchasing the pass at these attractions.

    Attractions and Activities - redeem this special offer between 30/09/2016 and 30/12/2030

    Offer link: Attractions and Activities

Prices

Ticket TypeTicket Tariff
Adult single£5.50 per ticket type
Child single£2.75 per ticket type
Children 4 and underFree
Family (2+3) return£26.00 per ticket type
Senior single£4.50 per ticket type

Return Tickets: Adults £9, Child £5, Senior £7; Full Line Day Rover Tickets: Adults £14, Child £8, Senior £11, Family £34

Awards

  • Regional and MiscellaneousWeardale Visitor Network Member Weardale Visitor Network Member 2025

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating:

3.8 of 5 stars
566 reviews
    • Excellent
      272
    • Very Good
      116
    • Average
      46
    • Poor
      40
    • Terrible
      92

    Recent Reviews:

    • Sinead A
      Santa Express 2024
      5 of 5 stars
      Friday, 20th December 2024
      Just Wanted to thank the whole team for providing a magical trip for our grandson aged 4 yrs old on his first meeting in person with Santa Claus . All staff elves Rudolph and Santa were absolutely... Read full review
    • Mrobins10
      Santa express weardale railway Stanhope
      1 of 5 stars
      Sunday, 29th December 2024
      After our first tickets were cancelled due to the weather we rebooked for Sunday 15th December with our grandson. What a disappointment this was, being delayed for over 30mins leaving less than... Read full review
    • Gerald B
      Norwich, United Kingdom
      Worth the effort.
      4 of 5 stars
      Thursday, 15th May 2025
      We wanted to travel the whole line, so visited on a Green Service day. Pleasingly the Bishop Auckland trains now connect nicely with the national network trains there, but not wanting the long time... Read full review
    Write a review
    © TripAdvisor 2025

    Facilities

    Accessibility

    • Access Statement - Please see below

    Catering

    • On-Site café/restaurant

    Group Travel

    • Out of Hours Visits

    Parking & Transport

    • Car parking
    • On site parking - Free parking at all 3 stations, but limited parking at Frosterley.

    Provider Facilities

    • Dogs Accepted - dogs accepted on trains

    Access Information

    Opening Times

    2025 (1 Jan 2025 - 31 Dec 2025)

    * Check website for opening times.

    facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WeardaleRailwayHeritageServices/

    Map & Directions

    Map Link

    View Map

    Road Directions

    Nearest major road is A68. Leave the A68 at Harperley roundabout, jct with the A689 Crook-Wolsingham road, by travelling west along the A689 and park at Wolsingham Station (4 miles) or Stanhope Station (10 miles) to catch a train.

    Public Transport Directions

    Nearest main line station is Darlington Bank Top Station, with connections via Darlington North Road Station, along the Bishop Auckland branch line to Bishop Auckland Station, the eventual eastern terminus of the Weardale Railway. Weardale Motors service 101 from Bishop Auckland bus station to Wolsingham or Stanhope.

    Highlights...

    Stanhope MoorStanhope, StanhopeStanhope - the green and tranquil market town at the heart of the Durham Dales and hub for outdoor activities.

    Train on the Weardale Railway line, fields, woodlandThe Weardale Railway - The Auckland Project, StanhopeAll aboard for a unique experience on the beautiful Weardale Railway, taking in the outstanding natural beauty and industrial heritage of Weardale.

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