Leeming Bar Station House Project

The Wensleydale Railway Association Trust (WRAT) has been given a grant by the National Lottery Heritage Fund to restore Leeming Bar station and to share its heritage with more people and in new ways. Despite the challenges, the Grade II listed building underwent a complete restoration during the spring of 2020 with focus then switching to the decorating and furnishing of the station house to how it would have looked in the 1920’s. Our volunteers have worked tirelessly to recreate what the station would have looked like which includes a parcels office, ticket office, waiting room, Station Master’s parlour complete with William Morris wallpaper, kitchen and washroom.

The station house has now reopened, and we are currently offering a vibrant public programme of free events and activities with something to appeal to everyone. The programme includes a wide range of heritage-based activities allowing the public to discover and experience life at a busy country station in the inter-war period. We have recently launched our Station House Explorer’s Trail which allows visitors to experience what life was like 100 years ago. Try on 1920’s costumes, make sure packages are delivered to the right place and work out how old washing equipment works! Best of all the trail is free and you don’t need to be travelling on the trains to take part. In addition, since March we have hosted a number of popular digital talks with varying topics ranging from Geevor Tin Mine in Cornwall to the Sierra Leone National Railway Museum in West Africa. For more information on these talks please visit the Talks and Tours tab. This extensive project has secured the building for future generations and will help to reconnect the railway with its local community and is made possible thanks to National Lottery Players.

Following 14 months of closure the Wensleydale Railway reopened in May with a brand-new offering featuring an hourly service between Bedale, Leeming Bar and Scruton stations where visitors can step back in time and enjoy a living museum experience. Tour the beautifully restored and multi award-winning Scruton Station and see how history is being brought back to life at Leeming Bar.