history of the garden station

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

The Garden Station opened in June 2000. The business is owned and run by Jane Torday, whose 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.

Now Katrina Padmore divides her time between managing The Dilston Physic Garden and assisting at The Garden Station. Roe Baker, who lives in The Station House, finds time to contribute to the garden here whilst working as Project Officer for Volunteering Tynedale. Phil Ogg, school Arts Officer, is also our gardener.

Our Garden Design Club meet here regularly through the year under the leadership of Jonathan Archer and contribute ideas and time to the garden.

The Station and grounds belong to The Langley Estate, owned by Jane's husband, Thomas Bates.

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.