Heatherslaw Light Railway

As seen on  Channel 4’s Travels with Mum and Dad, 2023

Heatherslaw Light Railway is the most northerly steam railway in England.
This fifteen-inch gauge railway runs through beautiful countryside alongside the River Till between Heatherslaw and Etal Castle, a return journey of 6.4km that takes 20-25 minutes each way. Carriages are pulled by the steam locomotives ‘Bunty’ and ‘Lady Augusta’, or by the diesel engine ‘Binky’. The service operates seven days a week in season (31st March-2nd November, 2025).

The first train runs from Heatherslaw Station at 11:00am, please see the new timetable for 2025 below.

All tickets are for return journeys and can be purchased at Heatherslaw Station Ticket Office, or at Etal Station from the guard, see prices below.

There is no advance booking system except for parties of over ten.

The railway runs along the banks of the River Till giving you wonderful views of the Northumberland countryside and Cheviot Hills. Swans, heron, ducks and the occasional otter are some of the wildlife you may spot along the way. On sunny days keep an eye out for hares basking in the fields.

A journey on Heatherslaw Light Railway is enchanting whatever the weather and there is a choice of fully enclosed or partly glazed coaches, subject to availability, to keep you dry, even on the wettest of days.

At Heatherslaw, a short walk across the bridge takes you to Heatherslaw Corn Mill, a working water mill and heritage museum where grain is ground into flour. Learn all about the local attractions at Ford & Etal Visitor Centre and find out more about the history of the Estates. You will also find craft and gift shops, and a cafe.

Why not break up your journey at Etal and visit Etal Castle, an English Heritage property, or walk the short distance up to picturesque Etal Village and visit the Lavender Tearoom or the Black Bull Inn for refreshments before catching the next train back to Heatherslaw. You can also walk down to the River Till where you might see a heron or a kingfisher. There is a lovely riverside walk too.

Special events run throughout the season, please see the Heatherslaw Light Railway website for details or follow the Railway on Facebook.

Dogs are welcome on the trains.

2025 TIMETABLE

Trains from Heatherslaw: 11:00, 12:00, 13:30, 14:30, 15:30 

Trains  from Etal: 11:30, 12:30, 14:00, 15:00, 16:00.

Facilities:

• Free car parking.
• Wheelchair accessible (where possible please phone in advance).
• Cafe across the bridge
• Public toilets across the bridge

Group and party bookings are welcome – groups must be booked in advance, please telephone for details. Maximum capacity is 90 adults.

What3words: loaning.gross.settle

Footplate Experience Courses

For adults only, a very special experience – Heatherslaw Light Railway offers one-day Footplate Experience Courses on both Steam and Diesel trains where you learn how to drive, fire and prepare the loco. Courses cost £350 and must be booked in advance.

For more information on Footplate Experiences please click HERE