House
Stephenson's Historic House is a 19th-century house and garden in County
Durham, England. Situated south of Newcastle and next to the town of Darlington,
it was the home of the railways pioneer George Stephenson and now considered one
of the most important historic houses in the region.
Explore over 12 rooms in the house including the office room, library,
workshop, dining room and find out more about the history of the man that
changed the way we travel today.
Garden
Explore Stephenson's Gardens, the ever-evolving garden surrounding one of the
most popular country houses in County Durham. The 30-acre garden is the product
of nearly 200 years of careful cultivation and includes a park, lake, fountains,
sculptures and more.
Marvel at the beauty of flora and fauna found in these gardens, discover
the pond at the lake or find your own favourite spot - the historic garden has
something for everyone.
Maze
The maze has been a favourite day out for children since 1973. It can be
found next to the house and stretches for over 4 acres, making it one of the
biggest and most beautiful maze gardens in the North-East.
Our maze offers hours of adventures and excitement for all ages, with tunnels,
secret doors, water-fountains and hidden treasures that can be taken home as
souvenirs if they are found.
Café
The café is one of the new features of Stephenson's Historic House and it
first opened in 2009. It can host up to 100 people and is a great place to rest
in between visiting the numerous attractions of our estate or to dine.
Savor a coup of coffee or tea while also enjoying our many delicacies such as
cookies, cakes, appetizers and even breakfast, brunch or dinner, specially
prepared by our chefs.
George Stephenson (9 June 1781 - 12 August 1848) was an English civil engineer and mechanical engineer. Renowned as the "Father of Railways", Stephenson was considered by the Victorians a great example of diligent application and thirst for improvement. Self-help advocate Samuel Smiles particularly praised his achievements. His chosen rail gauge, sometimes called 'Stephenson gauge', was the basis for the 4 feet 8+1/2 inches (1.435 m) standard gauge used by most of the world's railways.