Visitor information

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Notice: Our tea-room will be open every weekend all year round, 11am to 3pm, and all week in February half term. Visit the birthplace itself from Saturday 1 March, every Thursday to Sunday.

Birthplace of the world-famous railway engineer

Discover the humble birthplace of great railway pioneer, George Stephenson, whose entire family lived in just one room. Our costumed guide tells the story of how challenging life was for mining families, like George’s, that once crammed into this now charming little stone cottage, nestled in a pretty garden near the river Tyne.

Cafe open weekends & school holidays

Moist homemade fruit cake at George Stephenson's birthplace

Our tea room is now open every weekend, 10am-3pm. If you're walking or cycling the Wylam wagonway, pop in and warm up with hot and cold drinks, freshly baked cakes, homemade soups and toasties. Mmm.

Birthplace back for spring on 1 March

Imagine the birthplace when George was just a lad

If you would like to see inside George Stephenson's birthplace, the tiny one room museum will be open again from Saturday 1 March 2013. Why not pop in and join our costumed guide for a light-hearted tour.

New acquisitions for 2013

Discover the art of proggy mat making at George Stephenson's birthplace

After visiting in 2011 a gentleman from Devon was so taken by George Stephenson's birthplace that he was inspired to build an intricate model of the cottage. Come and see it on display along with a new Rocket clippy mat.

Love Stephenson? Take a Tyneside tour

George Stephenson's journey began in this little Wylam cottage, but you can find more clues to his life and work around Newcastle. See right for a few, but this trail leaflet focusing on his son, Robert contains more.

George Stephenson's Monument, Newcastle

Why not check out the monument to George Stephenson in Newcastle? © National Trust / George Stephenson's birthplace

Why not check out the monument to George Stephenson in Newcastle?

© National Trust / George Stephenson's birthplace

If you've ever walked from Newcastle city centre to the railway station you've probably passed this fantastic bronze statue. It's now back to its original bronze best after 150 years of dirt and grime were removed in conservation work this year. Definitely worth a visit.

Dial Cottage, Westmoor near Killingworth

George Stephenson's home during his later life where son Robert was raised © Killingworth Township 1966

George Stephenson's home during his later life where son Robert was raised

© Killingworth Township 1966

You can still see the cottage where George Stephenson lived from 1804 when he worked as a brakesman at Killingworth pit. Dial Cottage in Westmoor is also where his equally talented son Robert grew up. It is privately owned but can be seen from the road and opens to the public once or twice a year.

Stephenson Railway Museum, North Shields

You can see the early locamotive 'Billy' at Stephenson Railway Museum © Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums

You can see the early locamotive 'Billy' at Stephenson Railway Museum

© Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums

This museum is home to historic railway exhibits from the early days of steam railway, including 'Billy', the oldest existing Stephenson locomotive (not to be confused with Puffing Billy).