British Rail Tours Know which side to sit
Tyne Valley Line
Scenic lineNorth East England

Tyne Valley Line

Newcastle → Carlisle
Sit on the right Photos
Photo: The Carlisle Kid, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  • Journey timeApprox 1 h 35 min
  • Distance61 miles
  • FrequencyRoughly hourly, half-hourly Newcastle–Hexham
  • Rover ticketTyne and Tees Day Ranger, £29.80
  • OperatorNorthern

Coast to coast along Hadrian's Wall country, following the Tyne through Hexham and Haltwhistle to Carlisle on one of the world's oldest railways.

The Newcastle and Carlisle Railway opened in stages from 1835 and is one of the earliest passenger railways in the world. From Newcastle it follows the north bank of the Tyne through the MetroCentre, Wylam (birthplace of George Stephenson), Prudhoe and Corbridge to Hexham, with its abbey and market.

West of Hexham the North and South Tyne meet at Warden; the line follows the South Tyne through Haydon Bridge, Bardon Mill (for Vindolanda) and Haltwhistle, where the AD122 bus climbs to Housesteads and the best-preserved sections of Hadrian's Wall. The line then crosses the watershed near Gilsland into Cumbria and descends the Irthing and Eden valleys through Brampton and Wetheral, with the Eden crossed on the tall Corby Viaduct, into Carlisle.

Northern Class 156 and 158 units run the service. Hexham, Bardon Mill and Haltwhistle are the stops for Roman sites; Wetheral for riverside walks.

Which side to sit

Newcastle → Carlisle

The line keeps to the south bank of the Tyne as far as Hexham, so the river is on the right; Hadrian's Wall country is also to the right.

Sit on the right2 sights on the left · 2 on the right
  1. 0mi
    StationNewcastle
  2. 1mi
    Bridge · on the lineKing Edward VII BridgeCrosses the Tyne into Gateshead
  3. 8mi
    RiverRiver TyneLine follows the south bank from Blaydon
  4. 9mi
    StationWylamGeorge Stephenson was born across the river
  5. 11mi
    CastlePrudhoe CastleMedieval castle on the hill above the station
  6. 19mi
    StationCorbridgeVillage across the river
  7. 22mi
    AbbeyHexham AbbeyAbbey church on the rise above the station
  8. 22mi
    StationHexham
  9. 24mi
    Bridge · on the lineWarden BridgeCrosses the South Tyne near the confluence
  10. 30mi
    River · both sidesSouth Tyne Valley
  11. 36mi
    StationHaltwhistleFor Hadrian's Wall
  12. 39mi
    CastleThirlwall CastleRuin built from Hadrian's Wall stone
  13. 49mi
    StationBrampton
  14. 55mi
    Viaduct · on the lineCorby ViaductFive arches over the Eden, 1834
  15. 55mi
    StationWetheral
  16. 61mi
    StationCarlisle

Sides are given facing the direction of travel. Miles are approximate from the start of the journey.

Good to know

  • Dogs welcome
  • Bikes carried
  • Great walks
  • Rover tickets

Highlights along the line

  • Wylam
  • Corbridge and Hexham
  • South Tyne valley
  • Haltwhistle for Hadrian's Wall
  • Wetheral and Corby Viaduct

Photos of the Tyne Valley Line

3 photos · tap to enlarge
Train crossing Wetheral (Corby) Viaduct over the River Eden in autumn
Train crossing Wetheral (Corby) Viaduct over the River Eden in autumn
Northern Class 156 arriving at Hexham past the signal box
Northern Class 156 arriving at Hexham past the signal box
Wylam's historic signal box spanning the tracks at the level crossing
Wylam's historic signal box spanning the tracks at the level crossing
Ticket tip: off-peak and advance fares are usually cheapest, and a Railcard takes a third off most tickets. Rover and ranger tickets let you break your journey and explore stations along the way.

Frequently asked questions

How do I reach Hadrian's Wall?

Alight at Haltwhistle or Hexham for the AD122 Hadrian's Wall bus (seasonal), or Bardon Mill for a walk to Vindolanda.

Is the line ever used by steam?

Occasionally by charters, but the ordinary service is Northern diesel units.

What is the Tyne and Tees Day Ranger?

A £29.80 Northern ticket for unlimited off-peak travel in the North East including the whole Tyne Valley Line.

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