Families across the North East are invited to enjoy a fun-filled Easter adventure as Weardale Railway hosts a weekend of seasonal celebrations packed with trains, treats and activities for all ages.
Running across the Easter weekend – Good Friday (3 April), Easter Saturday (4 April) and Easter Monday (6 April) – the heritage line will buzz with family-friendly entertainment at stations including Bishop Auckland and Stanhope.
Young ones can enjoy a giant Easter egg hunt – with each egg sponsored by LNER, Procure Smart, Veolia, Teescraft and Bellway, Team Solan Cancer Trust, Weardale Baby and Toddler, Frosterley Angling Club, Angel Trust, Stanhope Weekender and The Auckland Project – while a free Easter bunny hunt at Stanhope Station promises a prize for every child who participates. Adding to the excitement, a decorated egg competition will be held daily at 2pm, with prizes up for grabs for both children and adults. Participants are encouraged to bring along their own decorated hard-boiled egg to enter.
To make the day even more accessible for families, ‘Kids for a Quid’ will return meaning children can travel for just £1 with a paying adult throughout the event.
This year’s celebrations also feature a special highlight: the meticulously restored 1903 NER petrol-electric Autocar, offering visitors a rare opportunity to ride on one of the most distinctive and historic trains in the country.
Claire Gibbons, general manager at Weardale Railway, said: “Easter is always a really special time for us Weardale Railway, and this year we’re delighted to be offering even more for families to enjoy including our ever-popular Easter egg hunts and competitions and the opportunity to ride on the unique 1903 NER petrol-electric Autocar; there’s something for visitors of all ages.
“We’re particularly pleased to be able to offer children’s travel for just £1, making it an affordable and fun day out, and we look forward to welcoming families from across the region for an exciting Easter on the railway.”
Spanning 18 miles from Bishop Auckland to Eastgate, and operating 16 miles between Bishop Auckland West and Stanhope, Weardale Railway is a heritage line that connects communities while celebrating County Durham’s rich railway history. The railway offers a range of visitor experiences, including driver days, heritage journeys and educational visits, supporting tourism and preserving the area’s railway history.
The Auckland Project rescued the railway from administration in 2020 and has invested significantly, funding essential repairs and infrastructure improvements. The Weardale Railway now offers revived operational heritage services and events—including afternoon teas, wine and cheese trains, and the popular Santa Express.
The Weardale Railway is part of The Auckland Project, a regeneration charity transforming Bishop Auckland into a leading visitor destination through its unique collection of heritage attractions, galleries, and gardens.
Visitors can explore Auckland Palace, the Spanish Gallery, the Mining Art Gallery, Faith Museum, along with extensive gardens and Deer Park.
Tickets and timetables for Weardale Railway’s Easter programme are available online via Weardale Railway Digitickets or can be purchased at stations on the day. The full Easter timetable is also available on Weardale Railway’s Facebook and Instagram pages.
Find out more here: www.aucklandproject.org and https://www.weardale-railway.org.uk/
