Paddington Visits! (Tyne & Wear)
Event Summary
Come and meet Paddington on 7th & 8th March at intervals throughout the day at Tanfield Railway!
Begin your journey at Andrew’s House Station, where you will enjoy a scenic steam train journey on board authentic Victorian wooden coaches through taking in the former coal mining route, adjacent to the wonderfully historic Causey Arch.
Every child will receive a complimentary storybook, activity sheet, crayon, biscuit and juice to enjoy during the journey.
When you return to the station, Paddington will be waiting to meet families, wave hello and pose for photos in the Marley Hill Carriage Shed, so don’t forget your camera!
Frequently Asked Questions
To make changes or cancel your booking, please contact us as soon as possible either by email at [email protected] or by phone on 01629 380600.
We are able to make amendments or refund without charge until the Monday prior to your trip at 23:59, if you have notified us in writing or spoken to a Visitor Support Officer by this time.
Between that time and 24 hours before your trip (usually several days), we can amend or refund your booking with a £25 administrative charge, helping us as a small business cover costs like food which might already have been ordered.
Within 24 hours of your journey's start time, we cannot make any amendments or cancellations. For full booking terms and conditions, please refer click here.
The standard food item in the complimentary package is a gingerbread biscuit in the shape of a steam train.
For children who have allergies or intolerances, we offer Nomo chocolate which are plant-powered and free from dairy, gluten, egg and nuts. There is no need to contact us in advance - simply ask a member of our team at the check in desk for the allergy-free alternative.
We're delighted you are considering celebrating a special occasion with us!
Please note that access to your seats on board is usually limited before departure, as the train spends only a short time in the station between trips.
You're welcome to bring decorations to display in your compartment or on your table. For safety and preservation reasons, only Blue Tack is permitted - no tape or pins please.
If you'd like to bring a birthday cake, that is absolutely fine; however, candles are not permitted on board.
Yes, you are able to bring your own food & drink on the train if you wish. However, there is a cafe at the station, and you're welcome to bring any items you've purchased there with you on board.
There are no toilets on board the train. However, toilet facilites, including accessible toilets, can be found at Andrew's House Station, Marley Hill carriage shed and East Tanfield Station.
The Tanfield Railway offers step-free access via a well-surfaced path from the car to the platforms. Ramps are available to assist with boarding the train.
A specially converted accessible compartment is available in one of our carriages. Wheelchair spaces are available, so please contact us in advance to discuss availability.
We encourage all visitors with mobility requirements to get in touch with us beforehand, so we can ensure your journey is as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.
Click Here to Download our Accessibility Guide for this location.
There is limited storage space on board the train, and pushchairs will generally need to be folded to fit through the train doors. We recommend folding them before boarding to make access easier.
If you are unable to fold your pushcair, a Fox & Edwards representative will guide you on the day to where you can leave it whilst you are on the train.
The number of people a compartment ticket for is the maximum allowed in that compartment. However, we do allow one additional young child, beyond the stated maximum.
For larger groups, we recommend booking open-style seating to be seated together, or purchasing multiple compartments. While we can't guarantee it, we'll do our best to allocate compartments next to each other if they are booked in the same order.
