The site of the Castle Eden Branch of the North Eastern Railway spans an area rich in history and folklore.

As far back as 200BC there were Iron Age settlements in the area and some exciting excavations have been carried out to find out how these people lived.

One notable example is the excavation at Thorpe Thewles. Situated in the boulder clay foothills of the Durham plateau the geology of the area lends itself to the preservation of these early structures.

In the 1100’s villagers in Grindon and the surrounding area worshiped at the small church dedicated to St Thomas a’Becket, this church was replaced in 1849 by a new church in Thorpe Thewles. The church of St James in Thorpe Thewles stands on the site of this early church.

The railway opened in 1877 and operated for 91 years until its closure in 1968 carrying both freight and passengers. Royalty has visited Thorpe Thewles station on a number of occasions when visiting the grand home of the Londonderry’s, Wynyard Hall.

Numerous stories of hauntings surround the area and the ghost of a murdered station master is said to roam the Station House Visitor Centre.