Discover Wylam: Railway History and Paths Along the River Tyne

Wylam combines a distinctive railway heritage with paths along the River Tyne and a rare habitat nearby. Those looking for a mix of culture, walks and cycling trips for their journey will find various starting points for planning their days here. The choice of a holiday rental can also be guided by whether the focus should be on historical discoveries, active outings or the surrounding landscape.

Railway History in Wylam

A good starting point for the local history is the Wylam Railway Museum at the Falcon Centre on Falcon Terrace in Wylam, NE41 8EE. The museum presents exhibitions about Wylam’s special contribution to early railway history. The illustrative exhibits include working scale models of the locomotives Wylam Dilly and Puffing Billy.

George Stephenson's Birthplace provides another historic site. The Grade II* listed building is a small stone cottage in a garden near the River Tyne. It was built around 1760 to accommodate miners’ families. The site can be reached via the NCN72 cycle route, which is considered a level ride along the river. From Wylam, you can also walk to Stephenson's Cottage (National Trust).

The bridges also tell stories of the industrial past. West Wylam Bridge is a disused wrought-iron railway bridge built in 1876 by William George Laws for the North-Eastern Railway Co. Its single span is supported by two parabolic arches. Hagg Bank Bridge was originally built for a railway line and dates from 1876. It is regarded as the first of its kind and can be visited on walks or cycling trips through Wylam.

Waggonway, Cycle Routes and Walks

The Wylam Waggonway was originally built to transport coal from Wylam to Lemington. Today, it forms part of the Hadrian's Wall National Trail. Visitors can walk or cycle along the Wylam Waggonway; it passes George Stephenson's Birthplace and follows the course of the River Tyne. This makes it possible to combine the historic use of the route with an active itinerary without having to commit to just one mode of transport.

In the vicinity of Wylam, Tyne Riverside Country Park offers a car-free cycle route along the disused Waggonway from Prudhoe to Newburn and beyond. The park has a car park in Wylam. Those who want to focus their holiday rental planning on cycling trips and routes without motor traffic can include this route in their selection.

Nature and Further Discoveries

Close House Riverside nature reserve is located near Wylam. It contains an area of calaminarian grassland on the floodplain of the River Tyne. This rare habitat occurs only in areas with high concentrations of heavy metals and adds a distinct feature alongside the railway history.

St Oswin's Church is another possible stop: it is accessible during daylight hours. This allows you to vary your days, for example with a historical focus, a ride on the Waggonway or a walk to another destination. For families who want to combine different interests, Wylam therefore offers several ways to explore without every day having to follow the same pattern.

The Right Base for Your Trip

When looking for a holiday rental in Wylam, it is worth first establishing the type of travel rhythm you want. Those interested in culture can include the museum, birthplace, bridges and church in their plans. Those who prefer active outings will find several documented opportunities for cycling or walking with the Wylam Waggonway, the NCN72 cycle route and the car-free route in Tyne Riverside Country Park. The proximity of the River Tyne and Close House Riverside nature reserve add a landscape-focused dimension to this selection.

If you would like to compare other places in addition to Wylam, you can also visit Matfen, Chillingham, Ellington, Haltwhistle, Rothbury, Chathill, Brampton and Newham.

For the overarching travel overview: Northumberland.