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The Garden Station, Hexham, Northumberland, UK

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history of the garden station

The Garden Station in its days as Langley Railway Station (early 1900's)

Formerly Langley Railway Station,
this charming building has now found new life
as The Garden Station - one of Hexham's historic visitor attractions
where you can enjoy a lovely day out.

a re-invented place

Jane Torday, with Stag Sculpture in the Woodland Wal - CLICK FOR LARGER VERSION

The Garden Station opened in June 2000, founded by Jane Torday (pictured above). Her working background is that of writer, researcher, gardener and bookseller. Ingrid Gifford, who previously worked for Northumbria in Bloom, assisted with the management of The Garden Station until 2005 and played a large part in its creation and development.

In 2008 The Garden Station was taken over by Mike Winstanley, a former teacher who changed career to re-train as a vegetarian cook, gaining a Cordon Vert diploma from The Vegetarian Society. His vision for The Garden Station is to develop its community aspects, the indigenous and organic growing, and the 'eco-gastronomy' of the place. ('Eco-gastronomy' translates neatly as 'home cooking' - a nice and timely return to a more sustainable, tasty and seasonal way of eating out!) At the same time, all aspects of The Garden Station will continue - the courses, the art exhibitions, the plant sales and the cafés...and above all the peace of the place.

Our Garden Design Club meet here regularly through the year under the leadership of Jonathan Archer and contribute ideas and time to the garden. To join our Garden Volunteers, give us a ring on 01434 684391.

Roe, Katrina and Phil - staff at The Garden Station

an historic location

The railway line ran from Hexham to Allendale and was constructed in the mid 19th century. At that time, the main industry in west Northumberland was lead mining. The line was built for the transportation of lead ore which would then be taken on via the main line from Hexham to Newcastle on Tyne.

Langley was a lead smelting centre and there are a number of interesting and even beautiful features in its landscape bearing testimony to this period of its history. Langley Station was constructed in 1867 and also provided a passenger service until 1930. The entire line was closed down in 1950.

 

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