Love Gin and Cheese? You'll Love this Unique Experience on the Weardale Railway
The countryside views from Bishop Auckland to Stanhope are enough to attract anyone to take a leisurely train ride on the historic Weardale Railway - and the gin and cheese on this extra special trip is a serious bonus
This summer, Weardale Railway’s unsurprisingly popular Gin & Cheese Train returned giving passengers the chance to enjoy award-winning local treats courtesy of Teesdale Cheesemakers and WL Distillery, whilst admiring the beauty of the Durham Dales.
The Weardale Railway, now part of The Auckland Project, is an 18-mile heritage line, with a 16-mile section of line between Bishop Auckland and Stanhope currently restored for passenger and freight use. My mum and I, both gin-lovers, board at Bishop Auckland West and discover why the Gin & Cheese Train proved so popular last year. We’re welcomed onto our carriage with an arrival drink – a sweet and refreshing Prosecco with raspberry gin liqueur – and are shown to our seats where a very generous platter of cheese and crackers await us. ‘I hope you like cheese,’ I laugh, as a couple celebrating their recent marriage take their seats opposite us.
The train departs on schedule and heads towards Witton-le-Wear as we’re talked through our selection of artisan cheeses including guest varieties from Teesdale Cheesemakers (Allison and Jonathan Raper) who produce their award-winning range just outside Barnard Castle. We love ‘Doris’ (a crumbly cheese with a creamy edge named after Allison’s grandmother) but throughout the three-hour journey we try them all – from creamy brie to red Leicester and Wensleydale with apricot (plus many others), all accompanied by a chutney made with ingredients from the walled gardens at Auckland Palace.
Whilst we tuck in we’re given a brief history of the railway and hear about the volunteers running these train rides today. Before we know it our first gin is served. It’s a WL Distillery favourite with Indian tonic which we sip while taking in the views of the river, fields of sheep and the occasional rabbit – the train is chuffing at a leisurely 15mph so we don’t miss a thing. Music plays as we continue our journey through Wolsingham and Frosterley towards Stanhope and it’s time to try something new, an unusual cocktail courtesy of Scott at WL Distillery (who’s on board to explain it to us). It’s a watermelon and liquorice gin mixed with ginger ale and served with a mint leaf for a cool finish, and a watermelon slice. Liquorice Allsorts are served alongside. It’s unlike any gin we’ve tasted before.
Soon enough, the train pulls into Stanhope and we have half an hour to explore the small station which has a cute gift shop and pretty planters. Whilst we stretch our legs, we also take this opportunity to take a closer look at the railway’s 1960s Class 108 DMU and Rolls-Royce Sentinel Shunter. Back on our train, we enjoy a Bombay Sapphire with elderflower tonic and work as a team to complete a gin and cheese-themed quiz – a fun addition to the experience. Finally, something sweet – a Jaffa Cake gin served with, obviously, a Jaffa Cake. With so much sipping, we find ourselves with leftover cheese but so not to let anything go to waste, we’re kindly offered the option to take the rest home.
